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2, 3 & 20 Cents

The 20 cent coin of the Australian decimal currency system was issued with conversion to decimal currency on 14 February 1966, replacing the florin, or two shillings (the Australian pound automatically became worth two Australian dollars.) more...

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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.

Commemorative coins

There have been various reverses:

1966-current: A Platypus in water with the number 20 top right hand corner, designed by Stuart Devlin. Some of the coins from the initial 1966 mint are still in circulation.; 1995: 50 years of the United Nations with the UN emblem.; 2001: 100 years of Australian Federation, set of nine coins; six for the states, 2 for the territories and Norfolk Island.; 2001: Donald Bradman'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;

Varieties

Excepting commemorative varieties, there have 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 AUD$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 3 issues: 1999 with thicker lettering, 2000-2003 slightly reduced lettering by 0.01 mm. The 2004 issue had 2 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.

1981 Mintings

In 1981, a large number of 20 cent coins were required, far over the capacity of the Royal Australian Mint 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.