20 Cents - Elizabeth II (4th Portrait - Platypus - Gold Proof)

The 2001 Australian 20-cent coin featuring the platypus was released as part of a series marking the Centenary of Federation. This gold proof version was produced by the Royal Australian Mint for collectors, highlighting the iconic Australian monotreme. The platypus design, originally sculpted by Stuart Devlin for the 1966 decimal currency changeover, remains a hallmark of Australian numismatics and serves as a symbol of the nation's unique natural heritage.

The obverse features the fourth effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, which was introduced in 1999 to replace the Raphael Maklouf portrait. This specific proof striking represents a blend of traditional decimal design and the high-quality minting standards favored by investors and numismatists. While the base 20-cent coin is a common circulating piece, the gold proof issue was carefully marketed as a high-end commemorative item, reflecting the broader trend of national mints issuing precious metal versions of circulating denominations to celebrate significant historical anniversaries.