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20 Cents - Victoria Specimen Pattern
| Issuer | Royal Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1871 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Engraver(s) | Leonard Charles Wyon |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse lettering | 20 CENTS 1871 |
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| Additional information |
Canada's 20-cent denomination was a political miscalculation from the start. The unit was pushed through despite warnings that it would be confused with the American quarter in daily commerce — a concern that proved entirely correct. The denomination was abandoned after just four years of circulation, replaced by the 25-cent piece in 1875 to align with U.S. coinage and ease cross-border trade.
This 1871 specimen pattern predates the circulating issue and was struck at the Royal Mint in London for official approval purposes. The DC-50 and DC-51 references indicate two distinct specimen varieties, differing in die alignment or surface preparation.