Hong Kong twenty-cent coin facts for kids
| Hong Kong | |
| Value | 0.20 HKD |
|---|---|
| Mass | 2.59 g |
| Diameter | 19/18.01 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm |
| Edge | 12 scalloped plain |
| Composition | Nickel and brass |
| Years of minting | 1866 –1905, 1975 –present |
| Catalog number | KM#7, 14, 36, 59, 67, 73 |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Bauhinia |
| Designer | Joseph Yam |
| Design date | 1992 |
| Reverse | |
 |
|
| Design | 20 with value in English and Chinese |
| Designer | Joseph Yam |
| Design date | 1992 |
The twenty-cent coin is a coin used in Hong Kong. It's one of the smaller coins you can find there. This coin has been around for a long time, but its look has changed quite a bit! There have been two main types: an old round one from 1866 to 1905, and the current cool scallop-shaped coin that started in 1975.
Contents
Old Twenty-Cent Coins: A Look Back
The very first twenty-cent coin was made between 1866 and 1905. People used these coins until 1942. Before World War II, these coins were made mostly of silver (80% silver).
They weighed about 5.40 grams and were 22 millimeters wide. The edges of these coins had small ridges all around.
From 1866 to 1898, the coins showed a picture of Queen Victoria. Even though she was also the Empress of India from 1875, her title on the coin didn't change. After 1901, new coins were made starting in 1902. These coins featured King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and were made until 1905.
Modern Twenty-Cent Coins: New Designs
In 1975, a brand new twenty-cent coin was introduced. This coin had a unique scallop shape, which means it had 12 wavy edges. It was made from a mix of nickel and brass, giving it a golden color.
This new coin was 19 millimeters wide and weighed 2.59 grams. At first, the coin showed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on one side. This picture was designed by Arnold Machin and was used until 1983.
In 1985, the Queen's portrait on the coin was updated. The new design was created by Raphael Maklouf.
Changing the Coin's Look
The twenty-cent coin has kept the same value since 1975, but its design changed again in 1993. The picture of Queen Elizabeth II was removed. Instead, the coin featured the beautiful Bauhinia flower, which is the national flower of Hong Kong.
In 1997, a special twenty-cent coin was made. This was a commemorative coin to celebrate the handover of Hong Kong to China. This special coin showed two butterfly kites with their tails tied together.
Mintage
This table shows how many twenty-cent coins were made each year.
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 71,000,000 |
| 1976 | 42,000,000 |
| 1977 | Included above |
| 1978 | 86,000,000 |
| 1979 | 94,500,000 |
| 1980 | 65,000,000 |
| 1982 | 30,000,000 |
| 1983 | 15,000,000 |
| 1985 | 10,000,000 |
| 1988 | 40,000 circulating. 20,000 proof. |
| 1989 | 17,000,000 |
| 1990 | ??? |
| 1991 | ??? |
| 1992 | 131,000,000 |
| 1993 | ??? |
| 1994 | ??? |
| 1995 | ??? |
| 1997 | ??? |
| 1998 | ??? |
