What you need to know about 20 kopecks in 1961

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

In the 18th 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 kopecks and 10 kopecks.

The new coin was put into circulation in 1764, when Catherine II was on the throne. Then the material for manufacturing was 750 silver. In the Soviet years, it was minted from silver 500, until 1931. Next, cupronickel was used to mint coins with a face value of 20 kopecks. 1961 is the year of the monetary reform, so the appearance of the currency was changed, and copper-nickel alloy began to serve as the material for its manufacture. This change denomination was minted almost annually in Soviet times.

Detailed description

The economic transformations carried out in the country have had an impact on the appearance of monetary units. New samples were approved for each denomination. So a coin of 20 kopecks appeared in 1961.

It was made of copper-nickel alloy and weighed 3.4 grams. Its diameter was 21.8 mm, andthickness - 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 edges. 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 - the crossed hammer and sickle. The composition is framed by 2 bunches of ears, tied along the length with a ribbon. Below, under the place of their connection, there is an abbreviation of the name of the state "USSR". The reverse of the coin 20 kopecks 1961 consists of four parts:

1. The number "20" is the size of the denomination.
2. The word "penny" means a unit of measure.
3. The numbers "1961" is the year of publication.
4. To the right and left along the circumference are one wheat spikelet, each of which smoothly turns into an oak branch containing 2 leaves.

In those years, 20 kopecks 1961 were very popular, and it was not difficult to find them. The reason for this was the 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 types. The difference was in the number of lines located between the two oak leaves next to the letters "k" in the word "kopecks". In one version there were “two” such strokes, and in the other there were already “three”. They did not make any significant difference. Only a specialist could distinguish one from the other. Currently, these coins have no particular value, since they were produced in a fairly large circulation. But in those years there were also rarer specimens. For example, one time on the obversea twenty-kopek coin was minted with an unusual coat of arms. Its appearance corresponded to the image on the denomination "3 kopecks". This type of performance is a rarity. In addition, the mints produced a very small edition of twenty-kopeck pieces of cupronickel. This coin weighed 3.6 grams. This metal was used earlier, but was replaced in 1961 with a lighter alloy. There are also very rare specimens, which, in fact, are considered "production errors".

Price difference

Many people who still have the 1961 20 kopeck coin in their hands want to sell it. But everything is not so simple. First, it is necessary to take into account the appearance of a particular instance. If this is a typical sample, then its implementation will not give a big profit. Depending on the quantity and demand, a coin can now cost from 20 to 200 rubles. Another thing is "crossover", that is, products that obviously contain various defects and inconsistencies. So, the owners of coins minted on blanks for 15 or 3 kopecks can get up to 3000-4000 rubles at the auction. Of particular interest to numismatists is a coin marriage. For example, a copy of 20 kopecks, made with a visible offset, is estimated at sale from 5,000 rubles. The category of "especially rare specimens" also includes coins with one-sided minting, which completely lack the image of the obverse. There is another copy made for testing, in which the size of the numbers is somewhat reduced. But getting such a coin is almost impossible.

FromThe most famous options include a sample that received the code name "without ledge". In it, the outer comb around the circumference does not have a characteristic protrusion. This feature is also highly valued by collectors.