Damon Mcknight
The Australian 1-cent coin was the lowest-denomination coin of the Australian dollar. It was introduced in 1966 and withdrawn from circulation in 1991 or 1992. The reverse side of the coin features a feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), a gliding possum native to eastern Australia. Designed by Australian artist Stuart Devlin, the animal's left whiskers can be used to determine the mint at which the coin was manufactured.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Face value | 0.01 dollars |
| Circulation | 1966–1991 |
| Non-circulation | 1991–present |
| Obverse | HM Queen Elizabeth II (1966–1984 designed by Arnold Machin; 1985–1992 designed by Raphael Maklouf) |
| Reverse | Feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), designed by Stuart Devlin |
| Production | 487,907,000 (including 487,428,000 standard finish and 479,000 proofs) |
| Mints | Royal Australian Mint (Canberra), Melbourne Mint, Perth Mint, British Royal Mint (Llantrisant, Wales) |
| Composition | Copper-zinc |
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What You'll Learn
The coin's designer was Australian artist Stuart Devlin
A quick online search reveals that the Australian one-cent coin features an echidna, a unique mammal native to Australia. This design is due to the talented Australian artist Stuart Devlin, who was chosen to design this particular coin. Devlin's artistic skills and expertise in metalwork made him an ideal candidate for the task of designing new coins for the decimal currency, which Australia introduced in 1966.
Devlin's involvement in the design process began in 1964 when the Royal Australian Mint invited him to submit design proposals for the new coins. His designs for the one-cent coin featured the echidna, a creature that held cultural significance for Australians. The echidna is one of the few monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in the world, and it is endemic to Australia, making it a fitting symbol for the country's unique fauna.
The choice of the echidna for the one-cent coin also holds symbolic value. The coin's reverse side, designed by Devlin, depicts the echidna in a stylized and simplified form, emphasizing its distinctive features. The animal is shown in a side profile, with its characteristic long snout, short limbs, and spikes running along its back. This depiction captures the echidna's unique anatomy and makes the coin immediately recognizable to Australians.
Beyond the one-cent coin, Devlin also designed the Australian five-cent coin, which features a native Australian bird, the lyrebird. This design further showcases Devlin's talent for capturing the essence of Australia's unique wildlife in his artwork. The lyrebird, like the echidna, is endemic to Australia and holds cultural significance for the country. Devlin's designs for both coins have stood the test of time, remaining in circulation for decades and becoming iconic symbols of Australian currency.
The artistic process behind Devlin's coin designs is a testament to his skill and attention to detail. He began by studying the animals he intended to depict, familiarizing himself with their anatomy and unique characteristics. He then created numerous sketches, focusing on capturing the essence of each creature in a simplified yet recognizable form. Finally, he worked closely with the Royal Australian Mint to ensure that his designs translated well onto the coins, considering factors such as minting techniques and the coins' practical use.
Stuart Devlin's design of the echidna on the Australian one-cent coin is a testament to his artistic talent and his ability to capture the essence of Australia's unique wildlife. His involvement in designing the country's decimal currency has left a lasting legacy, with his coins remaining in circulation and recognized as iconic symbols of Australian identity and culture.
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The feathertail glider is the world's smallest gliding mammal
The feathertail glider, depicted on the Australian 1 cent coin, is the world's smallest gliding mammal. It is also known as the pygmy gliding possum, pygmy glider, pygmy phalanger, flying phalanger, and flying mouse. This species of marsupial is native to eastern Australia, specifically the states bordering the Pacific Ocean, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Feathertail gliders have a head-and-body length of just 6.5–8 cm and weigh about 12 grams, making them only slightly larger than a small mouse. They are arboreal, spending up to 87% of their time over 15 meters above the ground in eucalyptus trees. They are nocturnal, resting during the day in nests lined with leaves or shredded bark in tree hollows. They are highly social and climb trees with ease due to their large serrated toe pads, which act as suction cups.
The feathertail glider's gliding ability is facilitated by a membrane, or patagium, stretching between its fore and hind legs, allowing it to glide up to 28 meters at a time. This membrane acts like a parachute, with the glider using its long, feather-shaped tail as a rudder to steer. The tail is about the same length as the glider's head and body and is oval in cross-section, with very short fur and two distinctive rows of long, stiff hairs.
Feathertail gliders are omnivores, feeding on nectar, pollen, and arthropods such as moths, ants, and termites. They are sexually promiscuous, with females giving birth to up to two litters of up to four young in a season. The young remain in the pouch for the first 65 days of life, and feathertail gliders have a maximum lifespan of about five years.
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The coin was withdrawn from circulation in 1992
The Australian one-cent coin, which entered circulation in 1966, was withdrawn in 1992. The coin, which featured a feathertail glider on one side and the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the other, was the lowest-denomination coin of the Australian dollar.
The decision to remove the one-cent coin was confirmed by the Treasurer in a Budget Speech on 21 August 1990. The removal was due to two primary factors: inflation reducing its value and the high cost of minting. By 1992, the purchasing power of a one-cent coin was extremely low, and the cost of producing the bronze coins was high.
The one-cent coin was not the only coin affected by these issues. In 1990, New Zealand removed its one and two cent coins, while the United Kingdom and Ireland transitioned from bronze one and two pence coins to copper-plated steel versions. The Australian two-cent coin was also withdrawn from circulation in 1992.
After the one-cent coin was removed from circulation, some were melted down to create bronze medals for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The coin's design, however, has endured. In 2017, a limited-edition Possum Magic-themed coin set was released, featuring a one-cent coin with Hush the Possum reading a book.
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The coin was first introduced in 1966
The Australian one-cent coin was introduced on February 14, 1966, marking the commencement of decimal currency in the country. The coin was minted at three locations: the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, the Melbourne Mint, and the Perth Mint. The Melbourne Mint produced the highest number of coins, with 239 million, while the Canberra and Perth mints contributed 146.5 million and 26.6 million, respectively. The coin was made of bronze and featured the Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and a feathertail glider on the other. The feathertail glider, or Acrobates pygmaeus, is the world's smallest gliding mammal and is native to eastern Australia. The coin's designer, Stuart Devlin, included his initials "SD" in small print below the animal's tail.
The one-cent coin was the lowest-denomination coin of the Australian dollar when it was introduced in 1966. It had a purchasing power equivalent to approximately 16 cents in 2023 values. The coin was in circulation from 1966 to 1991 or 1992, when it was withdrawn due to inflation reducing its value and the high cost of minting. During its time in circulation, the coin's design underwent changes. From its introduction until 1984, the obverse featured the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin. In 1985, this was replaced by a version designed by Raphael Maklouf, which remained until the coin's withdrawal from circulation.
The Australian one-cent coin holds legal tender status in locations using the Australian dollar, although the circulation coins are rarely used due to their low purchasing power. The non-circulating pieces are intended for collectors and do not enter circulation. The coin has been released in various non-circulating types since its withdrawal from circulation, including as part of mint sets and commemorative editions.
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The coin was minted in various locations
The Australian one-cent coin features a feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), a gliding possum native to eastern Australia and recognised as the world's smallest gliding mammal. The coin was minted in various locations, with the first issue in 1966 produced by three mints: the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, the Melbourne Mint, and the Perth Mint. Approximately 146.5 million were minted in Canberra, 239 million in Melbourne, and 26.6 million in Perth.
The 1966 issue was the only year the one-cent coins were minted in Melbourne and Perth. With the exception of 1966 and 1981, all other one-cent coins were produced at the Canberra mint. In 1981, in addition to the 183.6 million minted in Canberra, 40.3 million were struck at the British Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales. The one-cent coin was not minted in 1986, and 1990 was the last year it was minted.
The one-cent coin was introduced on 14 February 1966 as part of the decimalisation of Australian currency. It was withdrawn from circulation in 1992, along with the two-cent coin, due to inflation reducing its value and the high cost of minting. However, it is still minted as a non-circulating coin for collectors. From 1966 to 1984, the obverse of the coin featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, which was replaced by a version designed by Raphael Maklouf from 1985 until its withdrawal in 1992.
The reverse side of the coin, designed by Australian artist Stuart Devlin, features the feathertail glider with the numeral "1" in the centre, representing its face value. The initials "SD" of the designer can be found in small print below the animal's tail. On coins minted in Melbourne, the first whisker on the glider is blunted, while on those minted in Perth, the second whisker is blunted. Neither of the glider's whiskers are blunted on coins manufactured at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra or the British Royal Mint.
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Frequently asked questions
A feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is depicted on the Australian 1 cent coin.
The feathertail glider is the world's smallest gliding mammal. It is native to eastern Australia.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Australian artist Stuart Devlin, whose initials "SD" appear in small print below the animal's tail.
