Australia 1980 Frill-Necked Lizard 2 Cent Proof PCGS PR68 RD DCAM

• 1980 Australian 2 cent proof featuring Stuart Devlin’s frill-necked lizard
• Certified PCGS PR68 RD DCAM: numerical grade, Red colour and Deep Cameo contrast
• Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse
• Bronze composition; nominal 5.20 g weight and 21.59 mm diameter
• Individual coin in a PCGS holder, certification 30891091

The raised frill and curling tail of Stuart Devlin’s lizard give the Australian two-cent piece an immediately recognisable silhouette. This 1980 proof presents that familiar decimal design in bronze, with the numeral 2 beside the lizard and Arnold Machin’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the opposite side. Its PCGS label records both RD colour and DCAM contrast, two distinct characteristics beyond the numerical grade.

Certified PCGS PR68 RD DCAM, this example pairs a high proof grade with the Red colour designation and Deep Cameo contrast between frosted devices and reflective fields. These designations describe colour and appearance, not additional points on the grading scale. Give this distinctive Australian decimal design a place among your graded proofs with FORTYMILLION.

Specifications

The supplied PCGS population snapshot records 47 graded at PR68 for the 1980 Australian 2 cent proof as at 28 October 2026. This is a grading-report count, not the original mintage or the total number of surviving coins. Population figures can change. View the PCGS Population Report for Australian 2 cent coins (opens in a new tab).

The reported proof-set figure is distinct from circulation-coin production and from PCGS grading populations. View the supplied proof-set reference or view the supplied Coins and Australia reference (links open in new tabs).

Read the Royal Australian Mint’s two-cent history and nominal specifications (opens in a new tab).

Understanding RD, Cameo and Deep Cameo

RD means Red, the colour designation applied by PCGS to this copper-alloy coin. It does not mean red paint, plating or a separate metal composition. Colour, numerical condition and proof contrast are separate assessments: PR68 is the condition grade; RD identifies colour; DCAM identifies contrast.

Cameo describes contrast between frosted design elements, also called devices, and reflective fields, the flatter background areas.

Read the PCGS explanation of designations (opens in a new tab).

The Sheldon Grading Scale

The Sheldon Grading Scale is a 70-point numerical system used by grading services such as PCGS and NGC to assess coin condition. Originally developed for early United States large cents, it was later adapted for wider numismatic use. Not every integer is assigned a grade. These summaries are adapted from PCGS standards; grade 68 is highlighted for this PR68 RD DCAM coin.

MS means Mint State, describing condition without circulation wear. PR (PCGS) or PF denotes Proof, a method of manufacture, not an automatic claim of perfect condition. Proof coins can show wear and receive lower numerical grades. Handling or bag marks alone do not establish circulation wear. Read the PCGS grading standards (opens in a new tab).

Q. What does PR68 RD DCAM mean?
A. PR identifies a proof, 68 is its numerical condition grade, RD means Red colour and DCAM means Deep Cameo contrast. These describe different aspects of the coin.

Q. Is this a silver coin?
A. No. It is bronze: 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.

Q. Does PR68 mean flawless?
A. No. Slight imperfections are permitted under the grading standards. Proof manufacture does not guarantee grade 70.

Q. Is the complete 1980 proof set included?
A. No. This listing is for one individually PCGS-graded 2 cent proof.

Q. Is the proof-set issue the same as PCGS population?
A. No. The reported set issue concerns original production. A PCGS population records coins graded in a defined category, not the total number surviving.