This is an 1876 Twenty Cent Piece.   The Twenty-Cent Piece was an unusual denomination struck between 1875 and 1878.  Because the size of the coin and the design elements were  so similar to those on the Quarter Dollar, these coins caused a lot of confusion with the general public (similar to the situation that occurred over 100 years later with the Susan B. Anthony Dollar).  For this reason, Twenty Cent Pieces were struck for circulation only in 1875 and 1876.  In 1877 and 1878, they were available only as Proofs.  If you had one in your pocket in 1876, you could buy about $3.01 worth of today's products. Want to know more about historic U. S. coins?  Click here .