1875-S Twenty-Cent Piece. BF-6. Rarity-4. MS-66 (PCGS). This richly original example exhibits streaks of rose-russet toning to a base of warm antique silver patina. Sharply struck with a full quota of smooth, satiny mint luster. As the most readily obtainable issue in the brief twenty-cent series of 1875 to 1878, the 1875-S is eagerly sought for type purposes at all levels of preservation. This premium quality Gem is scarce in an absolute sense and quite rare from a market availability standpoint, and it is sure to please collectors of high quality classic U.S. Mint coinage.<p>The BF-6 die pairing is one of three for circulation strike 1875-S twenty-cent pieces that utilizes the Branch Mint Proof die of the date, identifiable by a diagonal die line in the small space above the junction of the olive branch and the lowest arrow. The obverse of this variety is attributable in its late die state by bold clash marks in the field to the right of Libertys left elbow, which are readily evident on the present example. The reverse of this coin is also in a late state with light cracks meandering through the peripheral design elements from 2:30 to 5:30. In the 2014 reference <em>Double Dimes: The United States Twenty-cent Piece</em>, authors Lane J. Brunner and John M. Frost describe the BF-6 variety as, "As difficult die marriage to find. Coins with the above clash marks and/or reverse die cracks are quite scarce."
