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The British twenty pence (20p) coin - often pronounced "twenty pee" - is a unit of currency equaling twenty one-hundredths of a pound sterling. Unlike the smaller denominations, the twenty pence coin was not introduced at decimalisation in 1970 but was added in 1982, with a design by William Gardner (showing a crowned Tudor rose). This original reverse design was changed to the current version featuring a segment of the Royal Shield by Matthew Dent in 2008; coins of the old design are still current and circulate together with the new ones. To help identification and avoid confusion with similar sized coins the 20p is seven sided and like the 50p is an equilateral curve heptagon. The shape, with its constant rolling diameter, means that it is readily acceptable in vending machines. Its composition is 84% copper and 16% nickel. Coins issued in 2008 have now been circulating for 17 years. Twenty and fifty pence coins are legal tender only up to the sum of £10; this means that it is permissible to refuse payment of sums greater than this amount in 20p coins in order to settle a debt. | ||||||||||||
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London Mint Office coins. |
Variety | In mint sets | |
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Mintage | Issued: 136,244 (included in total) | |
In Sets |
2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection, mintage 79,118
9 coins: £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p - variety: 2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection (Baby Gift Set), mintage unknown (included in the above set) United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection Emblems of Britain, mintage 57,126 7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 36,333 (included in total) | |
In Set |
United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection, mintage 17,719
11 coins: £5 Queen Elizabeth I, £5 Prince Charles, £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p - variety: United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection (Deluxe), mintage 13,614 (not included in the above set) - variety: United Kingdom 2008 Executive Proof Coin Collection, mintage 5,000 (not included in the above set) | |
Variety | Silver Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 8,168 | |
Material | 0.925 Silver | |
Details | 21.40 mm, 5.00 g of Sterling Silver (0.1487 oz. ASW). | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Collection, mintage 8,168
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Gold Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 708 | |
Material | 0.917 Gold | |
Details | 21.40 mm, 5.00 g of 22-carat Gold. | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Gold Proof Collection, mintage 780
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Platinum Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 250 | |
Material | 0.999 Platinum | |
Details | 21.40 mm, 12.01 g of 99.9% Platinum. | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Platinum Proof Collection, mintage 250
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p |
Source | Edition | About | Link | Notes |
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Royal Mint | 28th March 2019 | Mint | link | |
Royal Mint | 28th March 2019 | Mintage | link | Circulation mintage |
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Mintage | Proof and sets mintage | ||
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Varieties | Proofs, mint sets |
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Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales |
Country | United Kingdom |
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Currency | Pound Sterling |
Coin Type | Twenty Pence (Gardner design) |
Issued | 2008 |
Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Effigy | Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley |
Face Value | 20 (x Penny) |
Circulation Mintage | 11,900,000 (11.9 million) |
Total Mintage | 12,072,577 (12.1 million), Rarity: C (Common) |
Current | Yes |
Material | CuproNickel |
Designer | William Gardner |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Heptagon (Seven-sided) |
Orientation | Medal Alignment (Axis 0) |
Size | 21.4000 mm |
Thickness | 1.7000 mm |
Mass | 5.0000 g |
OCC ID | RDKL-MOMK-CYLK-ONZB |
Source | Reference ID |
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Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | G3 (was 4630) |
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | Great Britain KM# 990, 990a (Silver), 990b (Gold) |