Australia 1981 20 Cent Wavy Legends 3½ Claw PCGS MS64

• 1981 Australian 20-cent Wavy Legends 3½ Claw variety
• Struck by the Royal Canadian Mint for Australia
• Shortened claw beneath the denomination and distinctive curved lettering bases
• Certified MS64 by PCGS, with the variety identified on the holder label
• Queen Elizabeth II obverse and Stuart Devlin’s platypus reverse

A shortened claw and subtly curved lettering distinguish this 1981 Australian 20-cent coin from an ordinary date example. Known as the Wavy Legends 3½ Claw variety, it combines the familiar swimming platypus with identifying details associated with Canadian production. Examine the paw beneath the “2” in the denomination: one claw appears noticeably shorter, while curved bases to letters around Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait give the obverse its “Wavy Legends” description.

Struck by the Royal Canadian Mint during a year when overseas mints supplemented Australian coin production, this example brings a specific mint attribution to the decimal series. Its PCGS holder records both the variety and an MS64 Mint State grade, making the diagnostic details and certified condition the focus. Add this 1981 Wavy Legends 3½ Claw coin to your Australian decimal collection at FORTYMILLION.

Specifications

The supplied PCGS population of 85 refers to the 1981 Wavy Legends 3½ Claw variety at MS64 as at 28 October 2026, not its original mintage or the total number of surviving coins. Population figures may change as further coins are certified. View the PCGS Population Report for Australian 20-cent coins (opens in a new tab). Refer to the 1981 Wavy Legends 3½ Claw entry.

The Sheldon Grading Scale

The Sheldon Grading Scale is a 70-point numerical system used by third-party grading services such as PCGS and NGC to assess coin condition. Originally developed by Dr William Sheldon for early United States large cents, it was later adapted for wider numismatic use, including Australian coins. The scale runs from 1, the lowest identifiable grade, to 70, the highest grade under the grading service’s standards. Not every integer is assigned a grade; the table below lists the assigned numerical grades with summaries adapted from PCGS standards.

MS means Mint State, a condition grade 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 do not by themselves mean circulation wear.

Q. What identifies the 3½ Claw variety?
A. One claw on the platypus paw beneath the “2” in the denomination is noticeably shorter than the others.

Q. What does Wavy Legends mean?
A. It describes the curved bases of some obverse letters, not a wavy line in the reverse denomination.

Q. Is this the 1966 Wavy Baseline variety?
A. No. This is the 1981 Wavy Legends 3½ Claw variety, as identified on its PCGS label.

Q. What is the certified condition?
A. PCGS has graded this example MS64, a Mint State grade, and encapsulated it in a protective holder.