Twenty Cents, Coin Type from Australia - detailed information

Twenty Cents, Coin Type from Australia (issued 1966 - )
Coin TypeTwenty Cents

The 20 cent coin was first introduced with decimalisation on 14 February 1966. Given that the earlier Australian Pound was equal to 240 pence, and the new Australian Dollar was introduced at two dollars to the pound, the twenty cents denomination was exactly equal to the earlier Australian Florin - both in value and in size (the coins were made of the same dimensions and mass). It is thus a direct descendant of the British Florin.

The original reverse design by Stuart Devlin has not been changed since the introduction. This denomination has since been used infrequently for commemorative designs too.

All of the first issue of 20 cent coins in 1966 was produced at the Royal Mint, London. The Royal Australian Mint did not commence 20 cent coin production until the next financial year (striking coins dated 1966, as listed on its web site). Quantities of 20 cents have also been struck later by the Royal Mint, Llantrisant and the Royal Canadian Mint.

Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel.

Obverse
Australia / Twenty Cents - obverse photo

Effigy of the monarch, legend, date of issue.

Obverse Inscription Legend of the ruling monarch, date
Reverse
Australia / Twenty Cents - reverse photo

A platypus swimming. The denomination numeral 20 [cents] is above the head of the mammal; the artist's initials SD (for Stuart Devlin) are in (very) tiny letters, within the swirl of water around its right forepaw.

Reverse Inscription 20
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

If you keep your coins in 2x2 cardboard holders, the best size for twenty cent coins is 30mm.

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Royal Mint
Coin Type: Twenty Cents - (80) Coins
Coin NameReverseObverseIn my collection(s)
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The Definitive Guide to Australian Silver Coins
The Definitive Guide to Australian Silver Coins
Twenty Cents: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
Sub-types Twenty Cents Platypus
Twenty Cents Circulating Commemorative
From1966
Face Value20 (x Cent)
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
Designer
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size28.6500 mm
Thickness2.5200 mm
Mass11.3000 g
Twenty Cents: Photos
ImageDetails
Twenty Cents: Photo Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966 Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Twenty Cents: Photo Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966 Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source