Australian twenty-cent coin facts for kids
The twenty-cent coin was an important part of Australia's money system. It was introduced on February 14, 1966, when Australia changed its currency to a new "decimal" system. Before this, Australia used a system based on pounds, shillings, and pence. The new twenty-cent coin replaced an older coin called the "florin," which was worth two shillings. When the change happened, one Australian pound became equal to two Australian dollars.
What Does the Australian 20-Cent Coin Look Like?
The Queen's Side: The Obverse
On one side of the coin, called the obverse (which means the front or "heads" side), you will see a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. She was the Queen of Australia when this coin was first made.
The Platypus Side: The Reverse
The other side of the coin, known as the reverse (the back or "tails" side), shows a picture of a platypus. The platypus is a unique Australian animal. It was chosen as a special symbol, or "mascot," for national events in Australia.
