Damon Mcknight
Australian currency comes in both coins and notes, with the Royal Australian Mint producing coins and the Reserve Bank of Australia printing notes. Australian notes feature important Australians and special Australian designs, with each note differing in size and colour. For example, the $50 note is larger and yellow, while the $5 note is smaller and purple. Australia was the first country to print notes on polymer plastic instead of paper, with these notes being stronger, more durable, easily recyclable, and harder to counterfeit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Australian notes are made of polymer plastic instead of paper. |
| Colour | Each note has a different colour. For example, the $50 note is yellow, and the $5 note is purple. |
| Size | Each note is a different size. |
| Security features | The notes contain a transparent "window" with a diffractive optically variable device (DOVD) image of Captain James Cook. They also contain microprinting. |
| Legal tender | All previous notes of the Australian dollar are still considered legal tender. |
| Value | The value of the Australian dollar relative to the US dollar has fluctuated over the years, reaching a high of $0.881 in December 1988 and a low of 47.75 US cents in April 2001. |
| Individuals depicted | The individuals depicted on the currency include Queen Elizabeth II and, more recently, King Charles III. Australia is one of the few countries that depict a greater number of women than men on their banknotes. |
| Serial numbers | The serial numbers on all Australian banknotes glow under ultraviolet light. |
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What You'll Learn
Australian notes are made of polymer plastic, not paper
Australian banknotes are made of polymer plastic, not paper. The Reserve Bank of Australia prints these notes, which come in various denominations, including $5, $10, $50, and $100. Each note has a unique size, colour, and design, making it easy to distinguish between different values.
The use of polymer plastic in Australian notes dates back to 1988, when the Reserve Bank of Australia introduced the first polymer banknote to commemorate the bicentenary of European settlement. This $10 note was made of polypropylene polymer and featured advanced security features, including a transparent "window" with a diffractive optically variable device (DOVD) image of Captain James Cook.
Polymer notes offer several advantages over traditional paper currency. They are stronger, more durable, and harder to counterfeit. Additionally, they are easily recyclable and cleaner than paper notes. Australia was the first country to adopt this innovation, and today, all Australian notes are made from polymer.
The individuals depicted on Australian currency have evolved over time. The Reserve Bank has made a conscious effort to feature a greater number of women than men on the banknotes, making Australia one of only six countries in the world to do so. This commitment to inclusivity and representation further sets Australian notes apart.
In summary, Australian notes are unique in their use of polymer plastic, which provides both durability and advanced security features. The Reserve Bank of Australia has led the way in innovating currency, ensuring that Australian notes are not just functional but also reflective of the country's values and history.
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The $5 note features Queen Elizabeth II
The $5 note in Australia has an interesting history and design. It is one of the smallest notes in the country, with each denomination being a different size. This makes it easy to distinguish from other notes, like the larger $50 note. The $5 note is also significant as it was the first polymer banknote issued in Australia, in 1992. All Australian notes are now made from polymer.
The note also includes a sprig of eucalyptus and features the Old and New Parliament Houses, opened in 1927 and 1988, respectively. The images are the designer's interpretation of various architectural drawings and photographs. The geometric patterns on the back of the note are based on the architectural features of the New Parliament House. The note also includes innovative security features, such as specific species of Australian wattle and native birds, to prevent counterfeiting.
The $5 note has had four polymer designs issued since 1992. A rare $5 polymer note released in 1995 features the signature of Treasury Secretary Ted Evans, adding to its uniqueness and value. The latest $5 polymer banknote was issued on 1 September 2016.
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Coins feature the heads of Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III
Australian coins are produced by the Royal Australian Mint, while the Reserve Bank of Australia prints the notes. Australian coins have two sides, known as the "heads" and "tails" side. The heads side features the head of the current monarch, which was Queen Elizabeth II until her death in 2022, and is now King Charles III. The year of production is also featured on the heads side. The tails side features a special Australian design, with each coin having a different design and size. This side also indicates the value of the coin.
The $1 coin was the first to feature the effigy of King Charles III, with the first batch of 3.5 million released into circulation in 2023. The remaining denominations of circulating coins will be released progressively in 2024, based on bank demand.
The $1 coin was first introduced in 1984, replacing the $1 note. Similarly, the $2 coin was introduced in 1988, replacing the $2 note. The $1 and $2 coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II were the first Australian coins to feature a monarch.
Collectors' and investment coins bearing the effigy of King Charles III are expected to be available for sale in early 2024.
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Notes have a transparent window with a security image
Australian banknotes are unique in more ways than one. Firstly, they are made of polymer plastic, making them stronger, harder to copy, more durable, easily recyclable, and longer-lasting than paper notes. Australia was the first country to print notes on this material. Secondly, Australian notes have a transparent window with a security image, which is a diffractive optically variable device (DOVD) image of Captain James Cook. This was the first time such a feature was used on notes anywhere in the world.
The transparent window is one of several security features on Australian notes. For instance, the serial numbers on all Australian notes glow under ultraviolet light. The notes also contain microprinting, which is tiny, clearly defined text. On the $10 note, this microprinting includes excerpts from Paterson's and Gilmore's poetry. The notes also have a diamond-shaped pattern printed inside a circle on both sides. When held up to the light, the patterns form a seven-pointed star.
The Reserve Bank of Australia prints all Australian notes. The first polymer note was issued in 1988 as a $10 note commemorating the bicentenary of European settlement in Australia. This note had a holographic security feature, which unfortunately detached from the note itself. However, the Reserve Bank saw the potential in plastic notes and continued to develop them, starting with the $5 note in 1992.
Today, all Australian notes are made of polymer. They come in various denominations, including $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Each note has a unique colour and size, making it easy to distinguish between denominations. For example, the $50 note is large and yellow, while the $5 note is smaller and purple.
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Notes are different colours and sizes
Australian banknotes are made of polymer plastic, with each note featuring important Australians and special Australian designs. The notes come in different colours and sizes, making it easy to distinguish between them by touch. For example, the $50 note is larger and yellow, while the $5 note is smaller and purple. The $5 note features Queen Elizabeth II on one side, and a new design is being developed to honour the culture of the First Australians.
The Reserve Bank of Australia prints the notes, and the country was the first to print its notes on polymer plastic instead of paper. Polymer notes are stronger, more durable, harder to counterfeit, easily recyclable, and last longer than paper notes. They also have improved security features, such as a transparent "window" with a diffractive optically variable device (DOVD) image of Captain James Cook.
All Australian notes also contain microprinting, and the serial numbers glow under ultraviolet light. The $10 note, for example, features excerpts from Paterson's and Gilmore's poetry. The $50 banknote has an image of the Southern Cross and embossing of the number '50'.
The $1 and $2 notes were replaced by coins in 1984 and 1988, respectively, but they are still considered legal tender.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian banknotes are made of polymer plastic, not paper. Each note is a different colour and size, and features important Australians and special Australian designs.
Australian banknotes were the first in the world to use a transparent "window" with a diffractive optically variable device (DOVD) image as a security feature. They also contain microprinting, and the serial numbers glow under ultraviolet light.
Australian coins have a heads side and a tails side. The heads side has a picture of Queen Elizabeth II and the year it was made, while newer coins will feature King Charles III. The tails side has a special Australian design and shows the amount that the coin is worth. Each coin is a different size and has a different design.
The largest denomination of Australian banknote is the $100 note, introduced in 1984 in response to inflation requiring larger denominations for transactions.
The smallest denomination of Australian banknote currently in circulation is the $5 note.
