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Among the many Soviet coins with a denomination of 20 kopeks, there are specimens that can be of significant value to collectors. Such rare coins do turn up, and they can be found with a dedicated search.
Among the many Soviet coins with a denomination of 20 kopeks, there are specimens that can be of significant value to collectors. Such rare coins do turn up, and they can be found with a dedicated search.
The value of a coin depends on many factors, including the year of issue, its state of preservation, and the presence of rare varieties related to minting peculiarities. Determining the value requires careful examination of each coin.
| Letter Type | Description | Approximate Value (using 1924 as an example) |
| Elongated | Common type, letters have an elongated shape (Photo No. 71) | 40 hryvnias |
| Rounded | Rare variety, letters are more rounded (Photo No. 72) | up to 15,000 hryvnias |
The first 20-kopek coins were issued in 1921. In good condition, such a coin is valued at approximately 600 hryvnias according to catalogs. Coins from 1922 and 1923 are worth about 50 hryvnias, but only in good condition, comparable to specimens from the mid-1940s. Heavily worn coins from this period are generally not valuable.
The main interest for collectors during this period are coins with rare die varieties. The key difference lies in the shape of the letters in the abbreviation 'СССР' (USSR) on the coat of arms side.
Besides 1924, rare and expensive varieties with rounded letters are found on 1925 coins. A special category consists of so-called 'pereputki' (mint errors) — coins struck on planchets for a different denomination. For example, 20-kopek coins from 1928, 1929, and 1930, struck on yellow planchets intended for 3-kopek coins, are very rare and expensive. A 1928 coin of this type can be worth around 2000 hryvnias.
From 1931, the design of the 20-kopek coins changed: the obverse featured a worker with a hammer against a shield, which is why these coins were nicknamed 'shchitoviki' (shield coins). A regular 1931 coin has a dash under the coat of arms, but there is an extremely rare variety with elongated 'СССР' letters, whose price can exceed $1000.
In 1931-1933, rare specimens are found where the reverse has a dash instead of the coat of arms with the 'СССР' letters. Such coins are also highly valued. As for the 1934 20-kopek coin, it is considered legendary — it is not found in circulation, and its value is the subject of numismatic myths.
During this period, most 20-kopek coins are common, but there are many valuable varieties and 'pereputki' (mint errors). 'Pereputki' are coins struck on planchets intended for 3-kopek coins, which is why they have a yellow color.
The most expensive coin of this period is the 1958 20-kopek coin. These coins were issued in preparation for a monetary reform that was later canceled. The entire mintage was destroyed, and only a few individual specimens survived, valued at around $1000 in good condition.
Coins issued after the 1961 reform are mostly common and not valuable, with their price often not exceeding 1 hryvnia. The exception is 1961, where expensive 'pereputki' (mint errors) on old cupronickel planchets are found (valued up to $400).
There is also a group of rare years known as the 'black square': 1965, 1966, 1969-1976. The value of these coins starts at 700 hryvnias and can go up to 2000 hryvnias or more. Coins from 1977 to 1990 are only valuable as 'pereputki' on yellow 3-kopek planchets, and their price can exceed $300.
| Mint Mark | Description | Value |
| Letter 'М' | Moscow Mint, common issue | Not valuable |
| Without letter | Rare variety without a mint mark | High, over $100 |
| Letter 'Л' | Leningrad Mint, common issue | Not valuable |
The 1991 20-kopek coin is the last issue in the history of the USSR. To determine its value, one must carefully examine the side with the coat of arms. Below the coat of arms, there may be a letter indicating the mint.
There are several versions of this coin that differ significantly in value.
Thus, the real jackpot is the 1991 coin without a mint mark letter. Additionally, there is a very rare 'pereputka' (mint error) from this year, struck on a yellow 3-kopek planchet made of a copper-zinc alloy. Its value can exceed $300.
