Top 10 Rare 20p Coins

In the UK, this piece is often underestimated. The first thing that distinguishes it is its seven facets. The second is the length of the release. Understanding what makes these items valuable in the numismatic field makes the collecting process especially unique.

Where to check old coins value in the UK in 2026?

When Did the 20p Coin Come Out in the UK?

British pence has definitely become part of the solution to the problem in the country's economic sphere. By 1980, inflation had reduced the purchasing power of existing decimal items, especially the 10p item.

There were pressing problems on the part of the state – logistical and economic pressures. This became noticeable among businesses and banks that held significant cash.

The solution was to create a new denomination to reduce the gap between 10- and 50-pence items. Thanks to this solution, the 20p weight of the items was effectively reduced by reducing dependence on the 10 pence item.

Item Specifications

The Royal Mint officially introduced the twenty-penny item on June 9, 1982. To avoid confusion with other items, it was made in the form of an equilateral curved heptagon, a heptahedral shape similar to that of the 50 pence.

For the first reverse, William Gardner provided a design. The central motif was a stylized Tudor rose. An imperial state crown sat directly above the rose. Together, these components served as an expression of the country’s heritage.

The obverse, in its original form, bore a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Arnold Machin was responsible for the portrait’s creation.

Note: In the same year, the world saw such items as the Jefferson nickel, the Washington half dollar, and the penny.

Item History

• The Pre-Decimal Predecessor

Before the 1982 item we know today, there was the Double Florin (worth four shillings).

Issued: 1887–1890

It was almost identical in size to the five-shilling Crown. People constantly confused the two, leading to its nickname, the "Barmaid’s Ruin," because bartenders would accidentally give too much change.

This failure taught the Royal Mint that a high-value item among two others must be visually and physically distinct.

• The Design Changes

The 20p has seen two major looks in its lifetime:

1982–2008 (The Tudor Rose): The original reverse featured a crowned Tudor Rose, designed by William Gardner.

"In November 2008 a number of 20p coins were incorrectly minted, resulting in the coins being undated. These coins remain legal tender and still have a face value of 20p."
– Unnamed opinion piece “20 Pence”
The Royal Mint

2008–Present (The Shield): As part of Matthew Dent’s "Jigsaw" redesign of British coinage, the 20p now features the meeting point of the four plates of the Royal Shield.

List of Designers

Below is the total list of the obverse designers over time.

Reverse ones:

1982–2008 – William Gardner

2008–2022 – Matthew Dent

2022 to date – The Royal Mint

Why the 7-Sided Shape?

The 20p (like the 50p rare items) is a Reuleaux polygon. This means it has a constant breadth. If you roll the item on its edge, its height remains the same.

This was critical for vending machines, which use sensors to measure the diameter of an item as it passes through. If it were a standard hexagon or octagon, it would wobble and be rejected by the machine.

20p Coin Weight: How Much Does a 20p Weigh?

For the Royal Mint, the exact characteristics of an item determine its value. How much does a 20 pence item weigh for collectors of different levels? An ordinary piece weighs exactly 5 grams. The item includes copper and nickel metals, which are durable materials.

How much does 20p weigh today despite the country changes? This factor is fundamental in identifying possible errors. If an item appears unusually light or heavy, this may indicate a minting anomaly, for example, that it was minted on a tablet (a clean metal disc) that was intended for a different denomination.

This is exactly the case with the famous rare 20 pence bronze item, where the weight of a 5.0 gram item would be incorrect, since the density of a bronze planchet differs from that of a copper-nickel item.

Thus, although the standard weight is a reference, deviations from it may indicate a significant error.  The answer to the question of how much 20 pence weighs is an unchanged and critical 5.0 grams for the vast majority of items in circulation.

Top 10 Rare 20p Coins List

Compiling a definitive list of rare 20p coins that are worth money requires looking at:

• Low-mintage issues from crown dependencies

• A combination of official minting errors

• Unique anomalies

The spectrum of valuable pieces is broader. Below is a curated list of the ten most sought-after twenty pence pieces, which contribute to the rare 20 pence coin value.

1990 Bronze Error

A legendary error where a 20p design was struck onto a bronze blank intended for a 1p or a foreign item. It is easily spotted by its copper-brown color and its weight, which is significantly different from the standard 5g.

£750–£1,400

The 2008 Undated "Mule”

The most famous 20p error. In 2008, the design underwent a change. During this transition, a batch of pieces was produced. The mint used an older die for the obverse (heads) and a newer die for the reverse (tails).

Each side of the coin was designed to expect the date to appear on the opposite side. As a result, the items from this batch did not display any date. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 of these are currently in circulation.

£50–£100

2022 with Unique Mark

A small crown will decorate the Queen Elizabeth II memorial sets of 2022. This crown is a trademark and a unique sign. With a small circulation (11,500), they are the most inexpensive.

£30–£60

Blank 20p Planchet

A blank is a 7-sided piece of cupro-nickel that missed the striking process entirely. While it has no design, its distinct shape and 5g weight prove it's a 20p-to-be.

£30–£50

1986 Low Mintage Year

In 1986, no 20p items were struck for general circulation. They were only produced for Brilliant Uncirculated collector sets. If you find a 1986 item in your change, it has been removed from a set.

£10–£20

1992 Large Head Portrait

In 1992, the Royal Mint slightly increased the size of the Queen's portrait. The Large Head version is significantly scarcer in circulation than the Small Head version from the same year.

£5–£10

2008 Tudor Rose Design

Because the design changed midway through 2008, the original Tudor Rose version had a much lower mintage (11 million) than usual.

£3–£5

Elizabeth II, Isle of Man

The Elizabeth II Isle of Man 20p is considered rare primarily because of its geographic isolation and its tiny mintage compared to standard UK items. While they often turn up in the  UK, they are technically territorial ones, which makes them a prized find for collectors on the mainland.

£2–£10

Die Cud or Metal Blob Errors

As dies wear out, they crack. Metal flows into these cracks, creating blobs on the item. Famous examples include the Knobbly Knee error or the Worted Queen, where a blob appears on the portrait.

£2–£10

Valuable 20p Coins Worth Money

Firstly, you should look at the off-centre strike errors. If the metal blank isn't perfectly centered when the heavy dies hit it, the design will shift to one side, often leaving a crescent-shaped blank area along the edge. Their prices range from £15 to £40.

Secondly, identifying a valuable 20 pence coin worth money goes beyond just spotting an error. Identifying valuable pieces for beginners and professional numismatists requires understanding many nuances. It is important to consider:

The process of collecting items is dynamic and changeable. Their 20 pence coin value in dollars also varies depending on auction results and trends in the collectibles market. For example, the valuable 20 pence coin of undated has decreased slightly from its maximum.

Having stabilized in the range of 50-70 pounds sterling for copies in circulation, although for untouched, unprocessed copies, you can still get about 90 pounds or more.

Online Platforms

According to the online open markets, the 20 pence coin value is heavily influenced by its grade. An item in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition—meaning it was never released into general circulation and retains its original mint lustre—will always be a rare 20 pence coin worth money over a worn, scratched item found in a till.

This is true for lower-mintage dates like the 2008 Tudor Rose or the 2016 issue. Collectors are willing to pay more for coins that look as good as the day they were made. For those looking to determine their item's worth, checking sold listings on eBay provides a realistic snapshot of the current market, rather than looking at what people are asking for.

Comparison Table: Online Markets 2026

In 2026, the market for rare 20 pence coins is divided between peer-to-peer marketplaces for bargains and common errors and specialist dealers for high-value wrong planchet errors or BU ones.

Below is a comparison of the top platforms to help you navigate where to buy safely and at the right price.

Warning: Before purchasing on eBay, please check seller feedback.

Collector Tips

The Mule Trap: On eBay, many sellers list 2008 UK 20 pence coins as rare. You should remember that only the 2008 items with no date on either side are the rare Mule errors. If it has a date, it is only worth 20p.

Condition: BU items should have no bag marks or other defects on eBay. Moreover, you should check photos and reviews.

Authentication: For high-value errors, never buy unless it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Royal Mint or is slabbed (graded) by a company like NGC or PCGS.

Postage Safety: In 2026, ensure rare ones are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery. Standard registration of documents does not always cover the insurance value of collectable items.

Related Coin Value Guides

• Rare £2 & 2 Pound Coins Value
• British Half Penny Coin Value 
• Gold Sovereign Coin Value
• Silver UK Coins Value
• Gold UK Coins Value
• 50p Coins Value