2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - 1941: Service Amid Strife - North Africa & Middle East

The Coin Company is proud to present the 2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - 1941: Service Amid Strife - North Africa & Middle East by the Royal Australian Mint.  

Launched in December 1940, the Allied assault on Italian positions in Libya was the first major ground offensive for Australian troops in the Second World War. In early 1941, Allied forces including soldiers from the Second Australian Imperial Force captured the coastal cities of Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi. Ships of the Royal Australian Navy provided naval gunfire support, bombarding targets ashore. However, German reinforcements recaptured most of what the Italians had lost, except for the fortress of Tobruk and its valuable harbour. Australian and other Allied forces were besieged there from April to October in a tenacious and successful defence of the city.

To prevent occupation by Nazi Germany, Allied forces staged an invasion of Lebanon in June 1941. Lebanon had come under fascist Vichy French control following the fall of France in June 1940. Australian troops did much of the fighting of this campaign, and the region was occupied by Allied forces by the middle of July.

The principal significance of the 1941 campaigns was the successful denial of the Middle East to Germany and Italy. Aside from maintaining Allied access to the region’s valuable oil reserves, they also meant that the Axis occupation of Europe’s southern flank remained insecure.

This 2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin commemorates these eventful campaigns of 1941.

KEY FEARURES

• Coin reverse features design by the Mint’s Aaron Baggio, commemorating the 1941 campaigns in North Africa and the Middle East
• Colour print on coin reverse represents the Africa Star, awarded for service in North Africa (1940-1943) and Syria (1941)
• Coin obverse features the Daniel Thorne effigy of His Majesty King Charles III
• Struck to the Mint’s uncirculated finish
• Presented in themed card
• Limited mintage of 40,000

SPECIFICATIONS                                                                                                                               

• Metal: CuNi        
• Finish: Uncirculated
• Weight: 11.30g
• Diameter: 28.52mm
• Denomination: 20c
• Packaging: Coin in Card
• Year: 2026

The 2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - 1941: Service Amid Strife - North Africa & Middle East has limited mintage of 40,000 coins.      

Purchase limit - 3 per Household!