J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern - J1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern PCGS PF64 CAC, R6. This sliver J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern piece has lovely, pearl-lavender toning with light devices against darker fields creating an almost cameo appearance. Mint luster highlights the devices as well. This J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern coin is graded PR64, which is confirmed by CAC indicating that the premium quality piece fully merits the grade assigned. The surfaces of this J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern are original, clean, and free of contact marks. The few hairlines are visible only with magnification. The reverse scuff marks are on the holder not the coin.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern has an obverse that is very similar to the regular die; however, the date is smaller and LIBERTY is incuse rather than raised on the shield as it is on the regular issue. The reverse shows an open wreath of laurel tied with a ribbon. Enclosed in the wreath is 1/5 OF A DOLLAR, with the fraction at the opening of the wreath and the rest of the legend on two lines. DOLLAR is curved above the bow. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is at the periphery, separated from the denomination TWENTY CENTS by six-pointed stars.

Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre planned to do a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle

The 20 cent silver pattern, J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern has a Rarity 6 rating, which means that 21 to 30 pieces are known to exist today in all grades. In its population report, PCGS has this J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern piece tied for third finest known with 8 in PF64, and there are 2 better. At NGC this J-1407 1875 Twenty Cent Pattern piece is tied for second finest with 3 in PF64 and 1 better. These numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions. At CAC as of April 2012, there are 3 in PF64 with 1 better.