Twenty Cents 2021, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

The South African Twenty Cents coin (abbreviated as 20c) is a small circulating coin of the Rand currency. It was introduced when the currency was decimalised in 1961 and replaced the earlier pre-decimal two shillings coin, retaining at that time its design, dimensions and metal content. The silver version of the Twenty Cents was only issued for four years though. In 1965, the Second Decimal Series was introduced, in which the Twenty Cents denomination was made of nickel.

The denomination was changed to a smaller bronze-plated steel version with the Third Decimal Series in 1990. The reverse features the remarkable South African flower, the Protea cynaroids - one of the first distinctive South African symbols that appeared on the tickey and sixpence coins from 1925 to 1960. With the introduction of South Africa’s first decimal series (1961-1964) the Protea was again depicted on the 2½c and 5c coins which were designed by George Kruger Gray. With the second decimal coin series (1965-1989), an outstanding South African horticultural artist, Cynthna Letty was responsible for the artwork. The new Protea design depicted the Protea plant with three flowers in various stages on the nickel 20c coin. Die-sinker Tommy Sasseen modelled the design from the original watercolour painting which can be viewed at the South African Mint museum. In 1989 the third decimal coin series was introduced and the Protea was selected for the new bronze plated 20c coin. Die-sinker, Susan Erasmus developed the design from the first artwork.

20c coins issued in 2021 have now been in circulation for only three years.