20p Varieties 1982 - 2008

[AardHawk]

At first glance there does not appear to be much of interest, just a small heptagonal coin with what appear to be identical obverses and reverses.

There are however some interesting obverse varieties concerning the shape of the truncation, which follows similar changes on all the other decimal coins, especially during the period 1985 through 1992. There are also some very strange variations to William Gardner’s initials on the reverse.

Obverse 1 1982 – 1984

Obverse 2 1985 – 1992

3^rd portrait with a long pointed tip to truncation. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Small Head.

Obverse 3 1986 – 1993

3^rd portrait with a slightly rounded tip to the truncation and reshaped and slightly more curved lower edge. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Small Head.

Obverse 4 1992- 1997

3^rd portrait with a more pronounced rounded end to the truncation and an even   more curved lower edge. The whole head has been recut and the hair particularly so. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Large Head.

Obverse 5 1998 – 2008

4^th portrait. I haven’t really looked at these obverses in any detail, so there may be varieties waiting to be found.

Reverse A 1982 – 2008

The only variation to the reverse is the designer’s initials, which change in size and position.  They are always the same for each year. Circulation, Brilliant Uncirculated Set and Proof Set are all the same. I keep expecting to find a hidden message similar to the Egyptian, British Protectorate coins. Time will tell! Keep thinking it may be semaphore! Anyway see W.G. Initials below.

Summary and details.

W.G. Initials.

Each pic has my personal unique reference number. i.e. P1991-1, so Proof, year and coin #, or C1992-2, Circulation, 1992 coin #2. B stands for Brilliant Uncirculated.

 

1982-1987

1988-1989

1990-1992

1993-1997

1998-2001

2001-2008

Other notes

Sometimes when studying Obverses, I’m certain that the B of ELIZABETH is vertical, or the base is to the left of centre, or it leans right etc. I really don’t know. I think I’m expecting to find something like the P of PENCE on the 50p reverse B. On some Reverses the leaves seem to be better cut and have corrugated edges, when on others they seem to have smooth edges. 

Edited February 27, 2021 by AardHawk

[secret santa]

Great work ! 

[Iannich48]

That is a commendable study of 20 pence pieces. 

[AardHawk]

20 hours ago, secret santa said:

Great work ! 

Thank you.

16 hours ago, Iannich48 said:

That is a commendable study of 20 pence pieces. 

Thank you.

Just got to put up the latest discoveries for the 2p, Large 5p,  Large10p and Large 50p.

[Mr T]

Nice work.

Poor old decimals never seem to enjoy the same love as predecimal.

[AardHawk]

7 hours ago, Mr T said:

Nice work.

Poor old decimals never seem to enjoy the same love as predecimal.

For me at least, its all about finding them in your change. The excitement to me as kid, in NZ, was finding pennies from New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and occasionally South Africa in my change and I would always spend my pocket money in such a way, as to get as many coins in change as possible , in order to fill any gaps. Until a few years ago I used to to do the same here (in the UK). 

[DaveG38]

Aardhawk,

This would be the basis for an interesting article in Coin News. John Mussell is always interested in articles that go into the sort of details you have with this series.

Dave Groom

[AardHawk]

Dave,

Not sure that I am the right person to write an article. I have seen your excellent Coin News contributions, so would be very happy to pass all the data over to you, if you want to do it.

John.