Latest news and updates on Australian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
May 8, 2024
10 shillings 1913 to 1938 banknotes price guide and values
Approximately 502,667 of the 1913-1914 ten shilling note were printed. Following the detection of forgeries of this note, the design was changed in 1915. This smaller note, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, was introduced to improve production efficiency. Six notes could be printed per sheet instead of the previous four. Following complaints that the smaller 10 shilling note introduced in 1933 could be mistaken for a ten pound note, the words TEN SHILLINGS were added on three of the borders.
May 4, 2024
10 cents 1966 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
Ten cent Australian coins showing an Lyrebird on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Lyrebirds are most notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment, and the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral-coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.
May 1, 2024
5 cents 1966 to 2024 - Price Guide and values
Five cent Australian coins showing an Echidna on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Also called spiny anteaters, echidnas are the only living mammals that lay eggs and live in Australia and New Guinea. The echidnas are named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles.
May 1, 2024
100 dollars 2019 to 2023 banknotes - Price guide and values
The new $100 banknote completes the Next Generation Banknote series. It celebrates Sir John Monash, an engineer, soldier and civic leader and Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally renowned soprano. The $100 banknote was first released into general circulation in late 2020.
April 30, 2024
2 cents 1966 to 2018 - Price Guide and values
Two cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of two cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. They still continue to be legal tender and can ben used to purchase goods or deposited at a financial institution even if they were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.
April 26, 2024
50 cents 1966 to 2015 - Coins ot intended for circulation added
Fifty cent Australian coins produced since 1966 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches were first released in circulation on February, 1966. Most years since, the RAM has released special coins not intended for circulation, often with more refined manufacturing process than circulation coins.
April 24, 2024
100 dollars 1996 to 2017 banknotes - Price guide and values
The polymer $100 banknote, designed by Bruce Stewart, was issued in May 1996. It featured portraits of Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash.
April 22, 2024
1 cent 1966 to 2019 - Price Guide and values
One cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of one cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins.
April 19, 2024
100 dollars 1984 to 1996 banknotes - Price guide and values
The discovery theme underpinned designs by Harry Williamson for the $100 note. Sir Douglas Mawson was featured on the front of the $100 note. On the back, John Tebbutt was a pioneer astronomer who helped to lay the foundations for Australia's involvement in astronomy with the discovery of major comets.
April 17, 2024
Sovereign 1888 to 1931 - Price Guide and values
As the advancing years crept up on Queen Victoria, her portrait was updated a couple times. From 1894, the shield reverse half sovereign was dropped in favour of the St. George design. Edward VII's short reign saw an abundance of gold sovereigns from all three mints. The designer of the George V Australian silver and bronze issues, Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, was selected to produce the obverse design for the George V sovereign.
April 16, 2024
50 dollars 2018 to 2023 banknotes - Price guide and values
The $50 banknote retains the portraits of two of Australia's social and political pioneers - David Unaipon and Edith Cowan, who were both featured on the previous banknotes.
April 15, 2024
1 dollar 2003 - Women's Suffrage
The design for the $1 coin is based on a representation of the Dora Meeson suffrage banner Commonwealth of Australia: Trust the Women Mother As I Have Done, which is on display in Parliament House. The Banner was carried at the head of the Australian and New Zealand contingent of women suffragists in the Women's Suffrage Coronation Procession in London in 1911 and is widely recognized as a celebration of women's suffrage in Australia.
April 13, 2024
Sovereign 1855 to 1887 - Price Guide and values
By the mid-1850's the Government decided that it was about time that an official mint should be set up to convert the plentiful gold stocks into coins of the realm. The first Sydney Mint sovereigns were unique in the history of the British Empire. In a situation which has not been repeated since, the coins carried a design which was completely different from that of the standard British issue.
April 12, 2024
50 dollars 1995 to 2017 banknotes - Price guide and values
The $50 banknote, designed by Brian Sadgrove, was issued in October 1995 bearing the portraits of David Unaipon and Edith Cowan.
April 10, 2024
1 dollar 2008 - Centenary of Scouting
On February 22, 2008, Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, joined with former Governor-General William Deane, National President of Scouts Australia and Mr John Ravenhall, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia launched a new 1-dollar coin to mark the centenary of scouting in Australia.
April 9, 2024
Half-Sovereign 1888 to 1918 - Price Guide and values
Edward VII's short reign saw an abundance of gold sovereigns and half sovereigns from all three mints. The bald-headed likeness was the work of George William de Saules, who also designed the obverse of the first Australian coins of 1910. The designer of the George V Australian silver and bronze issues, Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, was selected to produce the obverse design for the George V sovereign and half sovereign coins. Officially half sovereigns were last struck in 1920, but the rare 1918 issue is the last date known. This is also true of the last years of the sovereign. It is thought that, although minted, many of these coins were not released and were later melted down.
April 8, 2024
50 dollars 1973 to 1995 banknotes - Price guide and values
The $50 and $100 banknotes were the first higher-denomination notes on issue for many years. The front of this $50 banknote, designed by Gordon Andrews, depicted laboratory research and academic life with a portrait of Lord Howard Walter Florey. The back of the $50 banknote symbolised research into the environment and outer space with a portrait of Sir Ian Clunies Ross.
April 6, 2024
Half-Sovereign - 1855 to 1887 - Price Guide and values
Although mintage figures seem high in some years, these coins are scarce especially in better grade. This situation was made worse by the short run of Sydney Mint gold coins. Production of the half sovereigns halted in 1866 and the British Treasury revoked its approval to mint any further Sydney Mint coins in 1871.
April 6, 2024
20 dollars 2019 and 2023 banknotes - Price guide and values
The $20 banknote celebrates the contributions of Mary Reibey and Reverend John Flynn. In keeping with theme established by the new banknote series, the new $20 banknote features a different species of native Australia wattle and a native Australian bird - the Laughing Kookaburra.
April 4, 2024
Pictures of errors, varieties and mis-strikes added
Australian coins contains many errors, varieties and mis-strikes. Sometimes, it increases the value of the coin with one of the type below. These errors, varieties and mis-strikes are caused by several factors durant the production process. Through images and descriptions in the section, it allows you to identify and classify several types of errors, varieties and mis-strikes.
April 3, 2024
Crown 1937 and 1938 - Price Guide and values
The 1937 crown was especially struck to commemorate the coronation of George VI. It's colloquial or slang name, 'Casey's Cartwheel', was an irreverent dig at the Treasurer of the time, R.G Casey, who proposed the coin. The short history of the Australian crown is a sad and confusing one. Sad, because it was so unpopular. Confusing, because it was originally designed as a one-off commemorative but lost it's significance when issued again in 1938.
April 2, 2024
20 dollars 1994 to 2018 banknotes - Price guide and values
There were various designs for the $20 banknote before a final decision was made. The $20 banknote, designed by Garry Emery, came out in October 1994. Mary Reibey featured on one side of the note and the other side carried a portrait of Reverend John Flynn.
March 29, 2024
Florin 1953 to 1963 - Price Guide and values
In 1954, the Mint decided to produce a new (and last) commemorative Florin for the first visit of the Queen Elizabeth II in Australia. In 1955, no florin was produced.
March 27, 2024
Year of the Outback - 50 cents and 1 dollar 2002
Two coins specifically commemorate the Outback theme. The $1 coin depicts the official Year of the Outback logo, whilst the 50c coin design features the wanes of a windmill. The coins were also produced for circulation.
March 26, 2024
20 dollars 1966 to 1993 banknotes - Price guide and values
The new $1, $2, $10 and $20 banknotes were issued on 14 February 1966. Charles Kingsford Smith and Lawrence Hargrave appeared on the $20 note. They symbolised Australia's significant contribution to aviation and aeronautics.
