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20 cents (Australian)
Encyclopedia
The twenty-cent coin of the Australian decimal currency system was issued with conversion to decimal currency on 14 February 1966, replacing the florin
, or two shilling
s (the Australian pound
automatically became worth two Australian dollars.)
Three different obverses have so far been used; 1966 to 1984 the head of Queen Elizabeth II
by Arnold Machin
; between 1985 and 1998 the head by Raphael Maklouf
; and since 1999 the head by Ian Rank-Broadley
. Inscription of AUSTRALIA on the right hand side and ELIZABETH II on the left hand side.
For the Broadley head Reverse there are three issues: 1999 with thicker lettering, 2000-2003 slightly reduced lettering by 0.01 mm. The 2004 issue had two forms, a reduced head all around by 2 mm and A's with flat top and thicker lettering, and the issue of 2000-03. Both were issued for circulation, but only the later in mint packs. 2005 and subsequent issues have seen a reversion to the 2000 series Reverse.
There are also some commemorative 20 cent coins.
facility in Canberra, leading to some coins being minted by other Commonwealth Mints, such as the Royal Mint
in London, and the Royal Canadian Mint
. In Australian Coin Collecting circles, the Canadian impression of the 20 cent coin is known as the "Ottawa Mint" version, which may be misleading, as post 1976, the Ottawa Mint only produced precious metal commemorative coins, like the Perth Mint
, meaning the coins may have been produced at the Royal Canadian Mint
's Winnipeg facilities.
Due to differences in the milling and annealing process, the Canadian variety of the 1981-20 cent coin is distinctive to attentive collectors and even cash handlers. The top and bottom edges of the milling is rounded over, not squared like the Australian and London varieties, and despite being in circulation for well over 25 years, even when well worn, the fields remain shiny, and not dulled like those produced at other mints. These qualities are also observed in Canadian coinage of similar ages.
The quantity of 1981 and 1982 mintages of the 20 cent coin was sufficient to not require many coins released for circulation until 1990. The 1983 and 1984 versions were struck for circulation, but never released, later being resmelted by the Royal Australian Mint, leaving the coins relatively rare. Significant premiums have been paid for a small number of mint rolls from these years that have shown up in auctions.
Florin (Australian coin)
The Australian florin was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation in 1966. The denomination was first minted in 1910, to the same size and weight as the United Kingdom florin. Florins minted from 1910 to 1945 were produced with a .925 sterling silver content, weighing...
, or two shilling
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
s (the Australian pound
Australian pound
The pound was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 13 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.- Earlier Australian currencies :...
automatically became worth two Australian dollars.)
Three different obverses have so far been used; 1966 to 1984 the head of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
by Arnold Machin
Arnold Machin
Arnold Machin O.B.E, R.A. was a British artist, sculptor, coin and stamp designer.Machin was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1911. He started work at the age of 14 as an apprentice china painter at the Minton Pottery. During the Depression he learnt to sculpt at Stoke-on-Trent's Art School, which was...
; between 1985 and 1998 the head by Raphael Maklouf
Raphael Maklouf
Raphael Maklouf is a sculptor, best known for designing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II used on the coins of many Commonwealth nations....
; and since 1999 the head by Ian Rank-Broadley
Ian Rank-Broadley
Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage....
. Inscription of AUSTRALIA on the right hand side and ELIZABETH II on the left hand side.
Commemorative coins
There have been various commemorative reverses:- 1995: 50 years of the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
with the UN emblem. - 2001: 100 years of Australian FederationFederation of AustraliaThe Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
, set of nine coinCoinA coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
s; six for the states, two for the territories and Norfolk IslandNorfolk IslandNorfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
. - 2001: Donald BradmanDonald BradmanSir Donald George Bradman, AC , often referred to as "The Don", was an Australian cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time...
's death. - 2003: Commemorating Volunteers.
- 2005: 60 years since the end of the Second World War, with WORLD WAR 1939-1945 COMING HOME lettering.
- 2007: Year of the Surf Lifesaver
- 2010: Centenary of the Australian Taxation OfficeAustralian Taxation OfficeThe Australian Taxation Office is an Australian Government statutory agency and the principal revenue collection body for the Australian Government. The ATO has responsibility for administering the Australian federal taxation system and superannuation legislation...
- 2011: Wedding of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Varieties
Excepting commemorative varieties, there have been a number of varieties of regular issue coins identified by collectors, of both the obverse and reverse. The first of these seen is a highly prized variety of the 1966 issue, with a "wave" on the top of the bottom stroke of the 2 in "20". These coins are now sold for over $200, depending on condition. Other varieties sited of the obverse generally revolve around the length and number of the claws of the platypus. These are prone to changing if incorrect stamping pressure is used in creation of dies for the coins. Consequentially, these are often seen in coins produced at foreign mints.For the Broadley head Reverse there are three issues: 1999 with thicker lettering, 2000-2003 slightly reduced lettering by 0.01 mm. The 2004 issue had two forms, a reduced head all around by 2 mm and A's with flat top and thicker lettering, and the issue of 2000-03. Both were issued for circulation, but only the later in mint packs. 2005 and subsequent issues have seen a reversion to the 2000 series Reverse.
1981 Mintings
In 1981, a large number of 20 cent coins were required, far over the capacity of the Royal Australian MintRoyal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint is situated in the Australian federal capital city of Canberra, in the suburb of Deakin.Before the opening of the mint, Australian coins were struck at branches of the Royal Mint - the Sydney Mint, Melbourne Mint and Perth Mint. The Royal Australian Mint holds a place in...
facility in Canberra, leading to some coins being minted by other Commonwealth Mints, such as the Royal Mint
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture, or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The Mint originated over 1,100 years ago, but since 2009 it operates as Royal Mint Ltd, a company which has an exclusive contract with HM Treasury to supply all coinage for the UK...
in London, and the Royal Canadian Mint
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint also designs and manufactures: precious and base metal collector coins; gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins; medals, as well as medallions and...
. In Australian Coin Collecting circles, the Canadian impression of the 20 cent coin is known as the "Ottawa Mint" version, which may be misleading, as post 1976, the Ottawa Mint only produced precious metal commemorative coins, like the Perth Mint
Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is Australia's oldest currently operating mint ....
, meaning the coins may have been produced at the Royal Canadian Mint
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint also designs and manufactures: precious and base metal collector coins; gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins; medals, as well as medallions and...
's Winnipeg facilities.
Due to differences in the milling and annealing process, the Canadian variety of the 1981-20 cent coin is distinctive to attentive collectors and even cash handlers. The top and bottom edges of the milling is rounded over, not squared like the Australian and London varieties, and despite being in circulation for well over 25 years, even when well worn, the fields remain shiny, and not dulled like those produced at other mints. These qualities are also observed in Canadian coinage of similar ages.
The quantity of 1981 and 1982 mintages of the 20 cent coin was sufficient to not require many coins released for circulation until 1990. The 1983 and 1984 versions were struck for circulation, but never released, later being resmelted by the Royal Australian Mint, leaving the coins relatively rare. Significant premiums have been paid for a small number of mint rolls from these years that have shown up in auctions.