Yes, some Australian 20 cent coins are quite valuable, especially the 1966 "Wavy Baseline 2", sought-after error coins like those from 1981 with extra claws, and low-mintage years like 1971, with values ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on condition. Look for a wavy line on the baseline of the '2' on 1966 coins, or extra claws on the platypus for rarer varieties, as these imperfections make them highly collectible.
1980 20 Cents Australian Error Coin. This coin is riddled with errors and best of all the errors are the 3 extra claws sets above the bottom original claw. This is a truly amazing find with so many different errors it's a must have for the collectors of unique coins.
Valuable Australian 20 cent coins often have minting errors or low mintages, with the 1966 Wavy Baseline being the most famous, featuring a wave on the '2' and worth significantly more in good condition, alongside other key dates like the 1971 (low mintage) and special editions such as those from the 2010 ATO Centenary or certain 2001 Centenary of Federation coins, or error coins like those with extra claws.
Collectors point to several factors behind the rush: the coin's low mintage, meaning fewer available to find in circulation. its status as Australia's first full-colour circulating $2 coin, which adds novelty.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Decimal Currency, the Royal Australian Mint has released the commemorative 20c coin. While the reverse of the coin is the standard design - Platypus, the Obverse has the special commemorative design which includes the design of the Australian Sixpence.
The 50-cent coin that can be worth around $15,000 is the rare 1988 Australian 50c error coin, mistakenly struck with the standard Coat of Arms instead of the commemorative First Fleet design, with only a couple known, though more might be found; it's a "mule" error from the Royal Australian Mint, making it extremely valuable to collectors.
So they are extremely rare and they can be worth a lot of money.” About 58.2 million 20 cent coins were struck in 1966 but only very few of them feature a “wavy baseline”. Standard 20 cent coins will have a straight bottom to the number 2, but the 1966 wavy baseline 20 cent coin has an obvious wave to it.
The rare Australian coin that sells for around $60,000 (or more, depending on condition) is the 1930 Australian Penny, an accidentally minted coin from the Great Depression era with a very low mintage, making it a "numismatic superstar" sought by collectors for its rarity and historical significance. Its value comes from being the lowest mintage pre-decimal Australian coin, with only about 1,500 believed to exist in circulation, notes 9News.com.au and Network Ten.
These coins are made of a cupronickel alloy, not silver, and are technically worth 25p, though you would struggle to spend them in shops. 9,306,000 Queen Mother coins were produced in 1980, and they are often found in old money boxes, sometimes in square plastic cases.
1981 AUSTRALIAN 20 CENT COIN Rare 3 1/2 (3.5) Claw Variant Circulated Coin.
Australia 20 Cent 1975 Clamshell Split Planchet Error. 1975 20 cent with a mostly split planchet but the two halves have not detached. Planchet split around a bit less than half of the coin's rim forming the characteristic 'clamshell' shape that gives this type of error it's name.
The Australian 2020 Firefighter $2 coin with the rare "bullseye error," where the flame design is mistakenly printed over the Queen's face instead of between the firefighters, can be worth up to $6,000 in mint condition, with an uncirculated example selling for nearly that amount. While other error coins exist, this specific minting mistake makes the Firefighter coin a highly sought-after treasure for collectors.
In Australia in 1977, the Royal Australian Mint produced a special circulating commemorative 50 cents coin to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. This silver jubilee issue was intended to be the only design for the 1977-dated 50 cents coins produced that year.
Why is the Proof 1930 Penny so famous? The obvious answer to this one is its value. The Proof 1930 Penny is Australia's million-dollar penny.
Valuable Australian 20 cent coins often have minting errors or low mintages, with the 1966 Wavy Baseline being the most famous, featuring a wave on the '2' and worth significantly more in good condition, alongside other key dates like the 1971 (low mintage) and special editions such as those from the 2010 ATO Centenary or certain 2001 Centenary of Federation coins, or error coins like those with extra claws.
Here is a 1967 Australian 20cent piece with a very rare error being the Platypus claw over struck onto the bottom of the number 2. Here is a 1967 Australian 20cent piece with a very rare error being the Platypus claw over struck onto the bottom of the number 2.
Here are 10 rare coins, including five still in circulation, that are certain to increase in value in the next five years.
This rare 1988 Australian $2 coin features the HH initials and a thick edge. Made of nickel and struck in proof-like quality, it is a valuable addition to any coin collection. The coin is from the 1900s era and has a decimal denomination.
Coins worth over $1 million are typically extremely rare historical U.S. gold and silver coins (like the 1933 Double Eagle or 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar) or modern ultra-rare novelties (like the 100kg Canadian Gold Maple Leaf) with few known examples, often due to minting errors, historical significance, or extreme scarcity, with sales reaching tens of millions.
The Royal Mint marked Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 with an extensive collection of official commemorative coins, including a £5 Crown and a premium 5oz coin, as well as authorising a one-year-only Sovereign reverse, created by Paul Day.