Twenty Cents Platypus, Coin Type from Australia - detailed information

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

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 Platypus - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin depicts the portrait of the ruling monarch.

The inclusion of an effigy of the monarch on the obverse of Australia's coinage is mandated by Regulation 4 (c) of the Currency Regulations made under the Currency Act 1965. Portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have all faced to the right in line with a convention, said to have commenced with Charles II (1660-1685), that the new Monarch's portrait would face in a direction opposite to that of their predecessor. Consequently, the portrait of King Charles III faces left.

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

The reverse design shows a swimming platypus as seen from above, among swirls of water.

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
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Coin Type: Twenty Cents Platypus - (61) Coins
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Twenty Cents Platypus: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
Sub-type ofTwenty Cents
From1966
Face Value20 (x Cent)
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerStuart Devlin
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size28.6500 mm
Thickness2.5200 mm
Mass11.3000 g
Twenty Cents Platypus: Photos
ImageDetails
Twenty Cents Platypus: Photo Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966 Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Royal Mint London.
Source
Twenty Cents Platypus: Photo Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966 Specimen Coin - 20 Cents, Australia, 1966
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source