Australian Twenty Dollar Banknote Price Guide | Klazzik Numismatics
Klazzik Numismatics Australian coin and banknote reference library

Klazzik Numismatics Australian Banknote Price Guide

Australian Twenty Dollar Banknote Price Guide

This complete guide follows Australian Twenty Dollar banknotes from the first decimal paper issue in 1966 through the standard polymer series and the Next Generation issues to 2020.

Issues are identified by signatures, prefixes, star replacement notes, security-thread and serial-number varieties, polymer design changes and recognised first and last prefixes, with collector values by grade.

Values are shown in Australian dollars as general collector guides. Originality, centring, surface condition, folds, scratches, stains, ink loss and other defects can materially affect the value of an individual note.

1966-1974 TWENTY DOLLAR SERIES

Series Background

Approximately 146,960,000 Twenty Dollar notes were printed across the 1966-1974 period.

The paper Twenty Dollar note features Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (1897-1935) on the obverse and Lawrence Hargrave (1850-1915) on the reverse. The note is approximately 160 × 81 mm, with red and yellow as its principal colours.

Star replacement notes did not commence until about 1971 and the series finished in 1972. The supplied reference records only 62,500 star notes, all carrying the prefix ZXA.

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1966 ISSUE

R401

1966 Twenty Dollars - Coombs & Wilson

The first decimal Twenty Dollar note carries the signatures of H. C. Coombs and Roland Wilson. The first $20 prefix and last signature prefix are recognised separately.

Issue Identification

Reference: R401
Date: 1966
Signatures: H. C. Coombs / Roland Wilson
First $20 prefix: XAA
Last signature prefix: XBP
Obverse: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Reverse: Lawrence Hargrave

R401 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R401Coombs / Wilson - regular issue$27$39$58$82$145
R401FFirst $20 prefix XAA$68$130$256$386$651
R401LLast signature prefix XBP$72$145$280$410$676

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1967 ISSUE

R402

1967 Twenty Dollars - Coombs & Randall

The 1967 issue combines the signatures of H. C. Coombs and Richard Randall. This signature combination is substantially scarcer than the surrounding issues.

Issue Identification

Reference: R402
Date: 1967
Signatures: H. C. Coombs / Richard Randall
First signature prefix: XBQ
Last signature prefix: XBS
Obverse: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Reverse: Lawrence Hargrave

R402 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R402Coombs / Randall - regular issue$338$965$1,689$3,522$5,066
R402FFirst signature prefix XBQ$362$1,062$1,882$3,715$7,720
R402LLast signature prefix XBS$483$1,351$2,557$4,101$8,685

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1968 ISSUE

R403

1968 Twenty Dollars - Phillips & Randall

The 1968 issue changes to the signatures of J. G. Phillips and Richard Randall. First and last signature prefixes are separately recognised.

Issue Identification

Reference: R403
Date: 1968
Signatures: J. G. Phillips / Richard Randall
First signature prefix: XBS
Last signature prefix: XEU
Obverse: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Reverse: Lawrence Hargrave

R403 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R403Phillips / Randall - regular issue$43$97$193$270$386
R403FFirst signature prefix XBS$121$241$362$458$772
R403LLast signature prefix XEU$116$193$314$410$700

Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE

R403S

1968 Phillips & Randall Twenty Dollar Star Note

The supplied reference records only one recognised Twenty Dollar star-note prefix for this series: ZXA. It also notes that these star notes did not commence until about 1971 even though they carry the Phillips & Randall signature combination.

Star Note Identification

Reference: R403S
Star prefix: ZXA only
Recorded quantity: 62,500
Signatures: J. G. Phillips / Richard Randall

R403S Star Note Collector Values

ReferenceStar prefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R403SStar replacement note - prefix ZXA only$1,206$3,715$12,063$21,713$30,398

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1972 ISSUE

R404

1972 Twenty Dollars - Phillips & Wheeler

The 1972 issue carries the signatures of J. G. Phillips and John Wheeler and still uses the Commonwealth of Australia title.

Issue Identification

Reference: R404
Date: 1972
Signatures: J. G. Phillips / John Wheeler
Issuer wording: Commonwealth of Australia
First signature prefix: XEV
Last Commonwealth prefix: XGY

R404 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R404Phillips / Wheeler - Commonwealth issue$43$97$193$270$386
R404FFirst signature prefix XEV$130$217$338$458$772
R404LLast Commonwealth prefix XGY$140$256$386$507$869

1974-1989 TWENTY DOLLAR SERIES

Series Background

During the Knight & Wheeler period, the metallic security thread was moved from near the centre of the note to approximately 55 mm from the left edge to reduce wear and tearing caused by its earlier proximity to the natural fold area.

Serial numbering also changed from Gothic to OCR-B during the Knight & Stone period. Later Johnston & Fraser issues temporarily returned to Gothic serial numbering when the usual numbering machine was not available.

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1974 ISSUE

R405

1974 Twenty Dollars - Phillips & Wheeler

The 1974 issue retains the Phillips & Wheeler signatures but carries the title Australia. The first Australia prefix and last signature prefix are recognised separately.

Issue Identification

Reference: R405
Date: 1974
Signatures: J. G. Phillips / John Wheeler
Issuer wording: Australia
First Australia prefix: XGY
Last signature prefix: XLH

R405 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R405Phillips / Wheeler - Australia issue$48$106$212$290$458
R405FFirst Australia prefix XGY$290$531$820$1,206$2,220
R405LLast signature prefix XLH$154$265$362$458$820

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1976 ISSUE

R406

1976 Twenty Dollars - Knight & Wheeler

The 1976 Knight & Wheeler issue is divided by security-thread position. Centre-thread and side-thread notes have separate references and prefix listings.

Issue Identification

Reference: R406
Date: 1976
Signatures: H. M. Knight / John Wheeler
Centre-thread first prefix: XLJ
Centre-thread last prefix: XSU
Side-thread first prefix: XQR
Side-thread last signature prefix: XUZ
Identification matters: Check the security-thread position before using the table. The centre-thread and side-thread notes are separate collector varieties.

R406 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R406aKnight / Wheeler - centre thread$43$82$169$222$386
R406aFFirst signature prefix, centre thread - XLJ$121$193$314$434$651
R406aLLast prefix, centre thread - XSU$145$241$362$483$748
R406bKnight / Wheeler - side thread$58$121$193$265$463
R406bFFirst prefix, side thread - XQR$579$1,448$2,895$3,860$5,790
R406bLLast signature prefix, side thread - XUZ$169$241$386$555$869

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1979 ISSUE

R407

1979 Twenty Dollars - Knight & Stone

The 1979 Knight & Stone issue exists with both Gothic and OCR-B serial numbering. These are separately listed in the reference.

Issue Identification

Reference: R407
Date: 1979
Signatures: H. M. Knight / John Stone
Gothic first prefix: XVA
Gothic last prefix: VDQ
OCR-B first prefix: VDR
OCR-B last signature prefix: VGX

R407 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R407aKnight / Stone - Gothic serial$27$48$97$154$212
R407aFFirst signature prefix, Gothic serial - XVA$130$159$265$386$627
R407aLLast prefix, Gothic serial - VDQ$145$217$314$434$700
R407bKnight / Stone - OCR-B serial$37$77$135$193$314
R407bFFirst prefix, OCR-B serial - VDR$290$483$772$1,110$1,689
R407bLLast signature prefix, OCR-B serial - VGX$121$241$362$531$820

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1983 ISSUE

R408

1983 Twenty Dollars - Johnston & Stone

The 1983 issue carries the signatures of R. A. Johnston and John Stone. First and last signature prefixes are recognised separately.

Issue Identification

Reference: R408
Date: 1983
Signatures: R. A. Johnston / John Stone
First signature prefix: VFV
Last signature prefix: VQK

R408 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R408Johnston / Stone - regular issue$29$48$97$154$232
R408FFirst signature prefix VFV$179$290$410$531$869
R408LLast signature prefix VQK$145$217$314$434$700

1985 Johnston & Fraser OCR-B serial issue. Click either image to enlarge.

1985 Johnston & Fraser Gothic serial issue.

1985 ISSUE

R409

1985 Twenty Dollars - Johnston & Fraser

The 1985 Johnston & Fraser issue exists with both OCR-B and Gothic serial numbering. The reference explains that Gothic numbering was temporarily used when the normal numbering machinery was unavailable.

Issue Identification

Reference: R409
Date: 1985
Signatures: R. A. Johnston / Bernie Fraser
OCR-B first signature prefix: VQL
OCR-B last signature prefix: EYD
Gothic first prefix: EJY
Gothic last prefix: ENB
Collector note: Always identify the serial-number font before using the value table. OCR-B and Gothic notes are separate catalogue varieties.

OCR-B vs Gothic Serial Numbers

Use this comparison to distinguish the OCR-B and Gothic serial-number styles. Click the image to enlarge.

R409 Collector Values

ReferenceSerial style / prefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R409aJohnston / Fraser - OCR-B serial$24$34$48$77$116
R409aFFirst signature prefix, OCR-B - VQL$97$140$193$290$483
R409aLLast signature prefix, OCR-B - EYD$121$193$290$531$724
R409bJohnston / Fraser - Gothic serial$82$169$314$458$603
R409bFFirst prefix, Gothic serial - EJY$179$314$507$700$1,110
R409bLLast prefix, Gothic serial - ENB$362$483$772$1,158$1,882

1989-1993 TWENTY DOLLAR SERIES

Series Background

Approximately 661,970,048 Twenty Dollar notes were printed across the 1989-1993 period.

The source notes that the 1989 R411 Phillips & Fraser combination arose because the incoming Governor, Bernie Fraser, was not immediately available to take up his appointment. This produced a short-lived signature combination.

Several later prefix sequences also include notes issued by the Note Printing Australia (NPA) collector program, including AAA-prefix issues. Some later serial sequences include unusual letter ordering because of the way numbering blocks were used.

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1989 ISSUE

R411

1989 Twenty Dollars - Phillips & Fraser

The R411 issue carries the unusual combination of J. G. Phillips and Bernie Fraser. It was a short-lived signature pairing before the later Fraser & Higgins issue.

Issue Identification

Reference: R411
Date: 1989
Signatures: J. G. Phillips / Bernie Fraser
First signature prefix: EVJ
Last signature prefix: EYD

R411 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R411Phillips / Fraser - regular issue$27$46$66$97$174
R411FFirst signature prefix EVJ$87$121$217$314$531
R411LLast signature prefix EYD$82$116$212$290$483

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1989 ISSUE

R412

1989 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Higgins

The later 1989 issue carries the signatures of Bernie Fraser and Bob Higgins. First and last signature prefixes are listed separately.

Issue Identification

Reference: R412
Date: 1989
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Bob Higgins
First signature prefix: EYE
Last signature prefix: RKB

R412 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R412Fraser / Higgins - regular issue$29$43$58$92$145
R412FFirst signature prefix EYE$87$121$217$314$531
R412LLast signature prefix RKB$106$169$265$386$627

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1991 ISSUE

R413

1991 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Cole

The 1991 issue carries the signatures of Bernie Fraser and Tony Cole. The reference also lists an AAA-prefix issue distributed by Note Printing Australia.

Issue Identification

Reference: R413
Date: 1991
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Tony Cole
NPA collector prefix: AAA
First signature prefix: RHG
Last signature prefix: ABQ

R413 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R413Fraser / Cole - regular issue$24$34$46$66$106
R413iPrefix AAA - issued by NPA$34$46$68$106$183
R413FFirst signature prefix RHG$82$111$193$265$458
R413LLast signature prefix ABQ$159$290$483$700$1,062

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1993 ISSUE

R415

1993 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Evans

The final paper Twenty Dollar issue covered here carries the signatures of Bernie Fraser and Ted Evans. It includes a regular issue, an NPA AAA-prefix issue, and recognised first and last paper-note prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R415
Date: 1993
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Ted Evans
NPA collector prefix: AAA
First signature prefix: RZV
Last paper $20 prefix: ADK

R415 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix / variety detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R415Fraser / Evans - regular issue$21$34$43$63$106
R415iPrefix AAA - issued by NPA$39$58$82$121$193
R415FFirst signature prefix RZV$77$116$179$241$410
R415LLast paper $20 prefix ADK$27$39$53$77$130

1994-2013 TWENTY DOLLAR POLYMER SERIES

Standard Polymer Twenty Dollar Notes

General circulation issues in this series use black serial numbers. The catalogue directs red-number and overprint issues to separate collector-issue listings.

From the R420 series, the denomination wording and additional security-feature treatment were added. Earlier R416-R418 notes did not carry the names of the featured portraits; the later design includes the portrait names.

The source also notes ultraviolet-fluorescent features on the reverse, including the denomination figure and serial-number behaviour under UV light.

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1994 POLYMER ISSUE

R416a

1994 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Evans

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R416a
Date: 1994
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Ted Evans
First prefix: AA94
Last prefix: PE94

R416a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R416aNormal prefix 1994FV$24$34$53$72
R416aFFirst prefix AA94$27$39$63$106$314
R416aLLast prefix PE94$1,689$2,654$3,619$4,584$7,238

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1995 POLYMER ISSUE

R416b

1995 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Evans

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R416b
Date: 1995
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Ted Evans
First prefix: AA95
Last prefix: DA95

R416b Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R416bNormal prefix 1995$24$37$68$121$275
R416bFFirst prefix AA95$27$39$87$179$410
R416bLLast prefix DA95$483$869$1,785$2,750$4,584

Reference image supplied for this issue. Click to enlarge.

1996 POLYMER ISSUE

R416c

1996 Twenty Dollars - Fraser & Evans

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R416c
Date: 1996
Signatures: Bernie Fraser / Ted Evans
First prefix: AA96
Last prefix: DA96

R416c Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R416cNormal prefix 1996$24$37$68$121$290
R416cFFirst prefix AA96$34$48$82$145$410
R416cLLast prefix DA96$43$77$145$270$676

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1997 POLYMER ISSUE

R418a

1997 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Fraser

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R418a
Date: 1997
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Bernie Fraser
First prefix: AA97
Last prefix: GA97

R418a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R418aNormal prefix 1997FV$27$48$66$159
R418aFFirst prefix AA97$21$34$58$87$193
R418aLLast prefix GA97$193$290$386$627$1,303

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

1998 POLYMER ISSUE

R418b

1998 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Fraser

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R418b
Date: 1998
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Bernie Fraser
First prefix: AA98
Last prefix: GA98

R418b Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R418bNormal prefix 1998FV$27$43$63$169
R418bFFirst prefix AA98$21$29$46$68$179
R418bLLast prefix GA98$24$53$87$145$483

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2002 POLYMER ISSUE

R420a

2002 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R420a
Date: 2002
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA02
Last prefix: ME02
Design change: From the R420 series, the names of the featured portraits were added to the polymer note design.

R420a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R420aNormal prefix 2002FVFV$27$39$77
R420aFFirst prefix AA02FVFV$29$42$87
R420aLLast prefix ME02FVFV$29$42$92

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2003 POLYMER ISSUE

R420b

2003 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R420b
Date: 2003
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA03
Last prefix: DA03

R420b Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R420bNormal prefix 2003FVFVFV$37$87
R420bFFirst prefix AA03FVFV$24$39$97
R420bLLast prefix DA03FVFV$24$39$130

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2005 POLYMER ISSUE

R420c

2005 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R420c
Date: 2005
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA05
Last prefix: GB05

R420c Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R420cNormal prefix 2005FVFVFV$24$63
R420cFFirst prefix AA05FVFVFV$29$72
R420cLLast prefix GB05FVFVFV$29$72

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2006 POLYMER ISSUE

R420d

2006 Twenty Dollars - Macfarlane & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R420d
Date: 2006
Signatures: Ian Macfarlane / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA06
Last prefix: JC06

R420d Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R420dNormal prefix 2006FVFVFVFV$53
R420dFFirst prefix AA06FVFVFVFV$58
R420dLLast prefix JC06FVFVFV$24$72

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2007 POLYMER ISSUE

R421a

2007 Twenty Dollars - Stevens & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R421a
Date: 2007
Signatures: Glenn Stevens / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA07
Last prefix: JC07

R421a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R421aNormal prefix 2007FVFVFVFV$43
R421aFFirst prefix AA07FVFVFVFV$72
R421aLLast prefix JC07FVFVFVFV$77

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2008 POLYMER ISSUE

R421b

2008 Twenty Dollars - Stevens & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R421b
Date: 2008
Signatures: Glenn Stevens / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA08
Last prefix: JC08

R421b Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R421bNormal prefix 2008FVFVFVFV$43
R421bFFirst prefix AA08FVFVFVFV$92
R421bLLast prefix JC08FVFVFVFV$97

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2010 POLYMER ISSUE

R421c

2010 Twenty Dollars - Stevens & Henry

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R421c
Date: 2010
Signatures: Glenn Stevens / Ken Henry
First prefix: AA10
Last prefix: DA10

R421c Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R421cNormal prefix 2010FVFVFVFV$43
R421cFFirst prefix AA10FVFVFVFV$77
R421cLLast prefix DA10FVFVFVFV$82

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2013 POLYMER ISSUE

R422a

2013 Twenty Dollars - Stevens & Parkinson

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R422a
Date: 2013
Signatures: Glenn Stevens / Martin Parkinson
First prefix: AA13
Last prefix: DA13

R422a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R422aNormal prefix 2013FVFVFVFV$39
R422aFFirst prefix AA13FVFVFVFV$116
R422aLLast prefix DA13FVFVFVFV$145

2019-2020 NEXT GENERATION TWENTY DOLLAR SERIES

Next Generation Polymer Design

The Next Generation Twenty Dollar series began in 2019. The catalogue also lists 2021 and 2022 entries, but they are deliberately omitted from this Klazzik guide because confirmed examples and suitable images were not available.

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2019 POLYMER ISSUE

R426

2019 Twenty Dollars - Lowe & Fraser

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R426
Date: 2019
Signatures: Philip Lowe / John Fraser
First prefix: AA19
Last prefix: EA19

R426 Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R426Normal prefix 2019FVFVFVFV$53
R426FFirst prefix AA19FVFVFV$34$145
R426LLast prefix EA19FVFVFV$34$169

Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.

2020 POLYMER ISSUE

R428a

2020 Twenty Dollars - Lowe & Kennedy

This dated polymer Twenty Dollar issue is catalogued by its normal circulation prefix together with separately recognised first and last prefixes.

Issue Identification

Reference: R428a
Date: 2020
Signatures: Philip Lowe / Steven Kennedy
First prefix: AA20
Last prefix: EA20

R428a Collector Values

ReferencePrefix detailFVFEFaUNCUNC
R428aNormal prefix 2020FVFVFV$24$34
R428aFFirst prefix AA20FVFV$24$29$48
R428aLLast prefix EA20FVFV$24$29$48