Owner: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
The 20-Piso New Generation Currency (NGC) coin is a legal tender circulation coin issued in the Philippines by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Launched in December 2019, it is part of the country’s 7-denomination NGC coin series and holds the highest denominational value.
The 30 mm bicolor coin is made of nickel-plated steel and bronze-plated steel with a weight of 11.50 g and showcases the latest security features of the NGC coin series. The coinage material was selected because of its proven durability, security, mintability, availability, and cost efficiency.
The obverse features the portrait of President Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Also included are the embossed 20-Piso denomination, the legend “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS” in microtext, micro-dots, mint mark, and year mark. Meanwhile the reverse features the Nilad flower (a flower said to be the source of the name of the country’s capital, Manila), Malacañan Palace (the official residence of the President), the BSP logo, micro-dots, and micro-text “BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS”. The lettering “BSP” is located at six angles around the coin’s edge.
The issuance of the coin was intended to replace the 20-Piso banknote after a study by the University of the Philippines showed that the banknote in question is the most-used denomination for payments across the country and is easily rendered unfit for circulation. As such, the issuance of a coin in lieu of a banknote is more cost-efficient in terms of currency production in the long run.
The innovation behind the 20-Piso New Generation Currency coin lies mostly in marriage between form and function. This is evident with security features such as the bicolor form factor, and incorporation of micro text, micro dots, and edge lettering in the design. Micro dots along the central vertical line on the obverse and along the Nilad’s stem is prime example of this philosophy. The combination of microtext and embossing, along with edge lettering provides for an aesthetically pleasing coin that does not sacrifice security.
In addition, using different size and plating materials distinguishes it from other circulating coins from other countries. Durability is also considered with the use of nickel-plating in the core that improves the longevity of the coins due to its excellent wear and corrosion resistance, while use of plated steel discourages the mutilation and extraction of the metal content.
The most striking feature of the 20-Piso New Generation Currency (NGC) coin is its two-toned plating and considerable size, making it easily discernable from the other denominations in the series. The overall theme of the NGC coin series features a Historic figure and flora. The two elements are set on the left side of the coin while the opposite side is filled with microtext as opposed to the traditionally clear field on the left – a contrasting yet balanced marriage between security and aesthetics, tradition, and modernity.
As a replacement to the banknote, the 20-Piso coin retains the portrait of President Manuel L. Quezon and the Malacañan Palace. Adding the Nilad plant provides a visual narrative of the three elements and their relation to each other – President Quezon being the first to reside in the historic Palace, found in the city believed to have been named after the Nilad plant.
