The Type I twenty cent was issued from 1966 to 1984 with an additional
proof
striking in silver in 2006 as part of the 40th anniversary of
decimal coinage set. The reverse features Stuart Devlin's platypus
design and the obverse features Ian Rank-Broadly's portrait of HM Queen
Elizabeth II.
The issue was struck at the Royal Australian Mint in all years with additional assistance provided by the Royal Mint London
in 1966 to address the huge demand for new currency as a result of the vast amount of
pre-decimal currency withdrawn. To distinguish between the 1966 London and Canberra coins one must look closely
at the point of the wave near the platypus' head. There is no gap (or a very small gap) between the swirl and the head it
is the London coin and a distinct gap on the Canberra one. Unfortunately a slightly weaker strike on one of the London minted
coins can lead to a small gap causing confusion.
No gap between swirl point and platypus indicates that this 1966 piece was minted in London.
Gap between swirl point and platypus indicates that this 1966 piece was minted in Canberra.
In 1981, the Wales mint assisted with striking coins to meet the additional demand for circulation currency brought about
by the economic boom of the 1980s.
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