Twenty Cents 2010 Lost Soldiers of Fromelles (NCLT), Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian 20 cent coin was first introduced with decimalisation on 14 February 1966 when it replaced the pre-decimal Australian florin, to which it is equal in size and mass. The original reverse design by Stuart Devlin has not been changed since its introduction.

The denomination is occasionally used by both the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint to issue collector coins, which are legal tender in Australia - such as this one.

This second military commemorative 20 cents coin (after the Australian Service Nurses 20 cents) honours the Lost Soldiers of Fromelles.

The battle of Fromelles occurred in France on July 19-20 in 1916, a joint operation between British Troops and the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).

This was the first occasion that the AIF saw action on the Western Front of World War One. The battle was described as "the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history". Known as the bloodiest day, during the 1916 battle the 5th division suffered 5,533 casualties. Speculation for many years suggested the existence of an unmarked and forgotten mass grave near Fromelles, containing the remains of Allied soldiers killed during the battle and buried by the Germans.

The coin was issued in a presentation card (issue price A$6.95). No coins of this type were issued into circulation.