In the XVIII century, the issue of minting a new coin with a face value of 20 kopecks was first raised. The reason for this was the "large distance" between the already existing coins of 50 cents and 10 cents.
The new coin was put into circulation in 1764, when Catherine II was on the throne. Then silver 750 was used as a material for manufacturing. In the Soviet years, it was minted from 500 silver, until 1931. Then cupronickel was used for minting coins with a face value of 20 kopecks. 1961 is the year of the monetary reform, so the appearance of the monetary unit was changed, and copper-nickel alloy began to serve as the material for its manufacture. The minting of this bargaining value in Soviet times was carried out almost annually.
Detailed description
Economic transformations carried out in the country have had an impact on the appearance of monetary units. New designs were approved for each denomination. So there was a coin of 20 kopecks 1961.
It was made of a copper-nickel alloy and weighed 3.4 grams. Its diameter was 21.8 millimeters, and the thickness was one and a half millimeters. On the obverse in the upper part in the center is a five-pointed star. It is slightly convex and has several faces. Below it is an image of the globe. It serves as a kind of background for the well-known symbol of the unity of workers and peasants - crossed sickle and hammer. The composition is framed by 2 bundles of ears spanned along the length of the tape. Below the place of their connection is an abbreviation of the name of the state “USSR”. The reverse of a coin of 20 kopecks 1961 consists of four parts:
- The number "20" is the size of the face value.
- The word "cents" means a unit of measure.
- The numbers "1961" is the year of publication.
- On the right and left around the circumference are located one wheat spikelet, each of which smoothly passes into an oak branch containing 2 leaves.
In those years, 20 kopecks in 1961 were very popular, and it was not difficult to find them. The reason for this was a large circulation due to the reform carried out by the state.
Varieties of coins
All samples of 20 kopecks of 1961, which were in use at that time, were mainly of two kinds. The difference consisted in the number of lines located between two oak leaves, located next to the letters “k” in the word “cents”. In one version of such strokes there were “two”, and in the other, “three”. They did not give a fundamental difference. Only a specialist could distinguish one from the other. Currently, these coins have no special value, since they were issued in a rather large circulation. But in those years there were rarer specimens. For example, at one time on the obverse of a twenty-kopeck coin an unusual coat of arms was minted. Its appearance corresponded to the image on the face value “3 kopecks”. This embodiment is very rare. In addition, the mints have released a very small circulation of twenty cents from nickel silver. Such a coin weighed 3.6 grams. This metal was used earlier, but in 1961 was replaced by a lighter alloy. There are also very rare specimens, which, in fact, are considered "production errors."
Price difference
Many who have a coin of 20 kopecks 1961 on their hands wish to sell it. But it’s not so simple. First, you must consider the appearance of a particular instance. If this is a type sample, then its implementation will not bring much profit. Depending on the quantity and demand, a coin can now cost from 20 to 200 rubles. Another thing is “confusion,” that is, products that obviously contain various defects and discrepancies. Thus, owners of coins minted on blanks for 15 or 3 kopecks can receive at an auction up to 3000-4000 rubles. Of particular interest to numismatists is coin marriage. For example, a copy of 20 kopecks, made with a visible offset, when selling is estimated at 5,000 rubles. Coins with unilateral coinage, which completely lack the obverse image, also fell into the category of "especially rare copies". There is also a copy made for the sample, in which the size of the numbers is slightly reduced. But to get such a coin is almost impossible.
Of the most famous options, one can note the sample, which received the conditional name "without a ledge." In it, the outer comb in a circle does not have a characteristic protrusion. This feature is also highly appreciated by collectors.