Lexi Webster
Australian polymer notes were first issued in 1988, making Australia the first country to introduce polymer-based currency. Polymer banknotes are made from synthetic polymers such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and have several security features that are not available in paper banknotes. The development of these notes took 20 years, involving material science, new ink creation, and the application of optically variable devices (OVDs) to plastic. Polymer notes last longer than paper notes, reducing environmental impact and replacement costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Synthetic polymer such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) |
| Durability | Polymer banknotes last longer than paper notes |
| Environmental impact | Polymer banknotes are more environmentally friendly than paper notes |
| Cost | Polymer banknotes are cheaper to produce and replace than paper notes |
| Security features | Primary: intaglio, metal strips, clear areas; Secondary: detectable by a machine; Tertiary: detectable only by the issuing authority |
| Printing technique | Optically variable devices (OVDs) |
| Development time | 20 years |
| Development challenges | Material science, new inks, applying OVDs to plastic |
| Development organisations | Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), The University of Melbourne |
| Inventor | Dave Solomon |
| First issued | 1988 |
| Full conversion year | 1998 |
| Full conversion savings | Over $20 million per annum |
| Serial number meaning | First two numerals indicate the year of printing |
| Portrait names | Added from 2002 |
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What You'll Learn
- Polymer notes are made from synthetic polymer, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)
- Polymer notes are highly durable, difficult to replicate, and have many security features
- Polymer notes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the CSIRO
- Polymer notes were first issued in Australia in 1988 to coincide with the Bicentennial year
- Polymer notes feature images of prominent Australians, such as Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash
Polymer notes are made from synthetic polymer, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)
Polymer notes are made from synthetic polymers such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). BOPP is a type of plastic film commonly used for product labels. It is made by melting raw polypropylene, spreading it onto cylinders, and then rapidly cooling it. The key process that gives BOPP its strength and flexibility is stretching the material in two directions (biaxial orientation). This stretching process enhances the material's strength, clarity, and flexibility.
BOPP is widely used in food packaging, labels, tapes, and various other applications. It is durable, resistant to peeling and wrinkling, and can accept both water and solvent-based inks. These qualities make it ideal for product labels, as it can resist most liquids and has excellent printability. BOPP is also acid-resistant, making it suitable for food and beverage packaging.
The versatility of BOPP is another reason for its popularity. It comes in a range of finishes, from clear and matte to metallic, allowing for a sleek, modern look. It is also thin, flexible, and compatible with various packaging containers, making it easy to apply and giving it a direct-printed appearance.
In addition to its durability and versatility, BOPP is more affordable than other options like PET while offering the same level of durability and moisture resistance. It also has a lower carbon footprint and requires less energy to produce due to its low melting point, making it an eco-friendly choice.
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Polymer notes are highly durable, difficult to replicate, and have many security features
Polymer banknotes are made from synthetic polymers such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). They are highly durable, lasting significantly longer than paper notes, and are difficult to replicate. The development of polymer notes in Australia took 20 years, with the first polymer banknote issued in 1988. This was the $10 Bicentennial Note, which was released to coincide with Australia's Bicentennial year. By 1998, all Australian banknotes were issued in plastic, and Australia became the first country to convert fully from paper to polymer currency.
The durability of polymer notes is one of their key advantages, reducing the environmental impact of banknote production and replacement. Polymer notes are also more cost-effective than paper notes, with savings of over $20 million per annum at the time of Australia's switch to polymer currency.
Polymer notes are also highly secure. They incorporate many security features not available on paper notes, such as metameric inks and optically variable devices (OVDs). These security features make polymer notes difficult to replicate and forge. Primary security features, such as intaglio, metal strips, and clear areas, are easily recognisable by consumers. Secondary security features are detectable by machines, and tertiary security features are only detectable by the issuing authority.
Polymer notes in Australia also have additional security features. For example, the window on a genuine banknote should be continuous with the rest of the note and clear, not cloudy. A genuine banknote will also have a white image incorporated into the clear window, such as the Southern Cross on the $50 note. The stars of the Southern Cross will always be clearly printed and can't be easily rubbed off. Another security feature is the diamond-shaped patterns printed on each side of the banknote, which combine to form a seven-pointed star inside a circle when held up to the light.
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Polymer notes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the CSIRO
Polymer notes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The RBA and CSIRO began working together in 1982, when Professor Solomon convinced the RBA Governor, Bob Johnston, to participate in a blind feel test of a polymer note versus a paper note. The Governor could not tell the difference and, recognising the enormous amount of work that CSIRO had put into the technology, agreed to employ scientists to begin the technology transfer.
The development of polymer notes involved material science, the creation of new inks, and learning how to apply optically variable devices (OVDs) to plastic. The RBA paid CSIRO $8 million for the rights and technology in 1987. In 1988, the world's first polymer banknote was issued: the now-famous $10 Bicentennial Note.
The introduction of polymer notes represented a significant shift in the industry, as they offered many advantages over traditional paper notes. Polymer notes are highly durable and difficult to replicate, leading to reduced costs of production and replacement. They also incorporate many security features not available in paper notes, including intaglio, metal strips, clear areas, and metameric inks.
The development of polymer notes in Australia faced some challenges and delays due to the conservative nature of the banking industry. However, by 1998, all Australian banknotes were issued in plastic, making Australia the first country to fully convert to polymer-based currency. The savings over paper notes were estimated to be more than $20 million per annum.
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Polymer notes were first issued in Australia in 1988 to coincide with the Bicentennial year
The development of polymer banknotes in Australia was a lengthy process that spanned over two decades. It involved advancements in material science, the creation of new inks, and the application of optically variable devices (OVDs) to plastic. The idea for polymer banknotes emerged in the context of addressing issues with forgery and durability associated with paper banknotes. Australia's previous state-of-the-art security banknotes, introduced in 1966, featured watermarks, metal threads, and intaglio printing. However, forgeries of the $10 note surfaced within a year.
The benefits of polymer banknotes include enhanced security features, increased durability, and reduced environmental impact. Polymer notes incorporate security features that are more advanced than those in paper banknotes, such as metameric inks, intaglio, metal strips, and clear areas. Polymer banknotes also last significantly longer than paper notes, resulting in decreased production and replacement costs. By 1998, all Australian banknotes were issued in plastic, and the country became the first in the world to fully convert to polymer-based currency.
The issuance of polymer notes in Australia was a groundbreaking innovation that influenced global currency. The technology developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has been exported internationally. As of 2009, Securency, a joint venture between the RBA and Innovia Films, was exporting to 25 countries, with over three billion polymer notes in circulation worldwide.
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Polymer notes feature images of prominent Australians, such as Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash
Polymer banknotes were first issued as currency in Australia in 1988, coinciding with the country's Bicentennial year. By 1998, all Australian banknotes were issued in plastic, and Australia became the first country in the world to transition from paper-based to polymer-based currency. Polymer banknotes are made from synthetic polymers such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and feature many security measures not available on paper banknotes, such as metameric inks.
The $100 polymer banknote, first issued in 1996, celebrates the contributions of two outstanding Australians: Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash. Dame Nellie Melba, born in Melbourne in 1861, was an internationally renowned soprano who performed in Australia, Europe, and the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was also an avid supporter of women's suffrage and conscription, and she performed fundraising concerts during World War I. Additionally, she was the first Australian to feature on the cover of Time Magazine and sang the national anthem at the opening of Parliament House in Canberra in 1925. Melba also made significant contributions to the arts by teaching at the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music, now the Melba Opera Trust, in her hometown of Melbourne. The $100 banknote features an image of her in costume as Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville."
Sir John Monash was a soldier, engineer, and civic leader who played a crucial role in the First World War as a commander. He led the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during its successful campaigns in 1918 and subsequently managed the repatriation of Australian soldiers, helping them transition to civilian life through the AIF Education Scheme. Monash was also a significant figure in the building construction industry, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The $100 banknote features the Shrine of Remembrance, reflecting his contributions to its establishment.
The portraits of Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash on the $100 polymer banknote are drawn from the same source photographs used on the first polymer $100 banknote. These portraits were later updated with the release of a new $100 banknote design in 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian polymer notes are made from a synthetic polymer such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).
Polymer banknotes last significantly longer than paper notes, reducing their environmental impact and the cost of production and replacement. Polymer notes are also more secure, as they can incorporate many security features not available in paper banknotes, including the use of metameric inks.
Modern polymer banknotes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and The University of Melbourne. They were first issued as currency in Australia in 1988, coinciding with Australia's bicentennial year. By 1998, all Australian banknotes were issued in plastic.
Australian polymer notes were invented by Dave Solomon and his team at CSIRO.
