The History Of The 20p Rarity UK Four Coin Set

This History of the Twenty Pence Four Coin Set includes the much sought-after 2008 undated 20p coin. The set contains an 1889 double florin, 1982 silver proof piedfort 20p, 2008 undated mule error 20p and a 2008 gold-plated 20p. 

Undated twenty Pence Mule Error

In 2008 The Royal Mint changed the design of the circulating coins from the Royal Emblems to the Royal Arms. To accommodate the change, the year of the coin was moved from the reverse to the obverse. 

A batch of twenty pence coins were struck using the incorrect old obverse, meaning the coin had no date on it. The Royal Mint reports that fewer than 250,000 of these error coins were produced out of a total mintage of 136 million. 

Victorian Double Florin

This coin was introduced when the UK first attempted decimilization. With a face value of four shillings, this was the equivalent of a 20 pence.

1982 Silver Proof Piedfort 20p

This coin is double the thickness and weight of a regular 20p coin. Struck from 0.925 fine silver, the coin contains 0.2974 troy ounces of silver.

2008 Gold-Plated Twenty Pence

The certificate describes the coin as being "lavishly layered" in 24 carat gold as well as being "highlighted in Rhodium Platinum". Despite these attractive marketing terms, this coin is probably worth the least in the set - roughly 20p. 

Condition of the Coins

The finish of the coins is listed as 'natural', which is a finish we have not heard of before. From looking at the coins, the double florin appears to have been polished, the 1982 silver 20p is struck to a proof finish, however the coin has some clouding on it. The undated 2008 20p has been in circulation, whilst the gold plated coin is in a bullion condition. 

The obverse designs are:-

Double Florin: The second coinage portrait of Queen Victoria, referred to as the "jubilee head" portrait, appears on the obverse. This was designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm. Interestingly, the certificate refers to this design as the "veiled head" portrait, which was actually the third and final portrait of Queen Victoria to appear on coins. 

1982 Twenty Pence: The Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. This is the second portrait of Elizabeth to be used on coins. 

2008 Twenty Pence Coins: The Ian-Rank Broadley fourth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. 

The reverse designs are as follows:-

Double Florin: This shows four crowned shields, each featuring the emblems of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

1982 Piedfort Silver Proof Twenty Pence: The crowned Tudor rose. 

2008 Twenty Pence Coins: The reverse shows a segment of the Royal Arms which has the three lions of England, although the certificate incorrectly refers to these as the lions of Wales.