***Auction Highlight*** 1876 Twenty Cent Piece 20c Graded GEM+ Proof By USCG. 0 The Centennial year boosted both mintages and sales of proofs to a small extent, although the demand for 1876 twenty cent proofs today are more a function of the scarcity of business strikes for the year. Opinions vary on the exact number of proofs struck for the issue: the Guide Book reports 1,150 pieces, while the Brunner and Frost reference claims 1,260 pieces were minted. In PR66 condition, it matters little since the population is scant regardless of mintage. The 1876 was the second year of issue for this short-lived series, and ended up as the final year of issue for circulation strikes. Only proofs were produced in the next two years. Without question, the key attribute of this high-end Gem twenty cent piece is its irrefutable originality. The surfaces are richly toned in blue, lavender, russet, and golden patina, yet the fields remain flashy and the devices still appear frosty in contrast. Fully detailed throughout.