Ruqayyah Snyder
Queen Elizabeth II's portrait has been featured on Australian currency since her coronation in 1953, appearing on the $5 and $1 banknote, as well as the heads side of coins. The tradition of featuring the reigning monarch on Australian currency pays homage to the historical ties between Australia and the British Crown, signifying Australia's position as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Since the introduction of decimal coinage in 1966, about 15 billion Australian coins have been minted with an image of Queen Elizabeth II, and her image is likely to remain in circulation for years to come.
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Elizabeth II is the face of Australia's $5 banknote
- The tradition of featuring the reigning monarch on Australian currency
- Queen Elizabeth II's image on Australian currency signifies the country's constitutional monarchy
- The Reserve Bank of Australia's role in the Queen's portrait on currency
- Changes to Australian currency following the Queen's death
Queen Elizabeth II is the face of Australia's $5 banknote
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her portrait has been represented in every Australian banknote series since her coronation, reflecting Australia's constitutional monarchy. The graphic design, technological features, security elements, and narrative themes behind Australia's banknotes have evolved significantly over time, but the Queen's portrait has remained a thread of continuity for seven decades.
Queen Elizabeth II's image is featured on Australia's $5 banknote. Traditionally, the reigning monarch is portrayed on the smallest denomination banknote. This tradition dates back to ancient times, when kings and emperors had their heads stamped on coins. The $5 banknote is the lowest denomination of Australian banknotes.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has indicated that it will take some time before King Charles III replaces Queen Elizabeth II on the $5 note. In the meantime, the $5 banknotes featuring the image of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and can continue to be used.
The first official photograph of Queen Elizabeth II as the new Queen was taken on February 26, 1952, to produce her image for stamps, currency banknotes, and coins. The photograph was taken by Dorothy Wilding, who was the first woman appointed as the Official Royal Photographer for the 1937 Coronation of King George VI. Wilding's photographs were known for their simplicity, using a plain black or white backdrop to focus attention on the subject. One of the 59 photographs taken during the sitting was adapted for use on the Australian currency.
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The tradition of featuring the reigning monarch on Australian currency
Following Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, her portrait was featured on Australian currency, including the $1 banknote, which was first issued in October 1953. This was the first time that Queen Elizabeth II's portrait was used on Australian currency, and it continued to be used on the $1 note until it was discontinued. The Queen's portrait was also featured on the now-defunct Australian $5 banknote.
The use of the monarch's portrait on Australian currency is a reflection of Australia's constitutional monarchy and its historical ties to the British Crown. It serves as a reminder of Australia's connection to the royal family and its status as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, King Charles III will now appear on new Australian coinage, marking a significant transition in the numismatic representation of the monarchy. It is expected that King Charles III will face left on the new coins, in accordance with the tradition that each British monarch's portrait faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.
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Queen Elizabeth II's image on Australian currency signifies the country's constitutional monarchy
Queen Elizabeth II's image has been featured on Australian currency since her coronation in 1953. She has been the only monarch most Australians have ever seen on their currency. The tradition of featuring the reigning monarch on Australian currency dates back to 1925 and signifies the country's constitutional monarchy and its historical ties to the British Crown.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has indicated that Australian money bearing Queen Elizabeth II's portrait will remain legal tender and will continue to circulate for many years to come. This includes the $5 banknote, which traditionally features the monarch.
The visual element of Queen Elizabeth II's portrait has remained unchanged since the transition from Australian pounds to Australian dollars in 1966. The portrait has been a thread of continuity woven through seven decades, even as the graphic design, technological features, security elements, and narrative themes of the banknotes have evolved.
The inclusion of the Queen's image on Australian currency is a reminder of the country's constitutional monarchy and its connection to the royal family. It celebrates and reinforces the rule of the monarch, in this case, Queen Elizabeth II, who was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
With the transition to a new monarch, King Charles III, Australian coins will be redesigned to bear his effigy, supplied by the United Kingdom's Royal Mint. This change will mark a significant transition in the numismatic representation of the monarchy in Australia.
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The Reserve Bank of Australia's role in the Queen's portrait on currency
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has played a key role in the inclusion and removal of the Queen's portrait on the country's currency. Traditionally, the reigning monarch is portrayed on the smallest denomination banknote, which, in Australia, is the $5 note. The RBA has stated that all Australian banknotes issued from 1913 retain their legal tender status, including the $5 note featuring the Queen's portrait.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the RBA indicated that the $5 note with her image would continue to be legal tender and remain in circulation for many years. However, in February 2023, the RBA announced that the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the $5 banknote would be replaced with a new design honouring Indigenous culture. This decision was made in consultation with the federal government and Indigenous groups. The RBA stated that it would take several years to design and print the new banknote, and until then, the current note with the Queen's portrait will continue to be issued.
The inclusion of the Queen's portrait on Australian currency has been a long-standing tradition, with Queen Elizabeth II appearing on Australian coins since her coronation in 1953. The visual element of her portrait remained unchanged during the transition from Australian pounds to Australian dollars in 1966. Since then, about 15 billion Australian coins have been minted with her image.
The RBA's role in the removal of the Queen's portrait from the $5 banknote marks a significant step in Australia's ongoing debate about its future as a constitutional monarchy. While the country voted to maintain the British monarch as its head of state in a 1999 referendum, the death of Queen Elizabeth II has reignited discussions on this topic.
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Changes to Australian currency following the Queen's death
Queen Elizabeth II's image has been a small reminder of Australia's connection to the royal family. She appeared on coins in 35 countries, including Australia. In Australia, she was on the now-defunct $1 note and the $5 banknote.
The tradition of having the monarch on the smallest denomination of Australian banknotes will continue, with King Charles III set to feature on the $5 note. However, the Reserve Bank of Australia has indicated that it will be some time before we see this change. The RBA has also stated that all Australian banknotes issued from 1913 retain their legal tender status, so the $5 notes featuring Queen Elizabeth II can continue to be used and will likely circulate for many years to come.
The transition to Australian coins being minted with an effigy of King Charles III is expected to occur gradually. The Royal Australian Mint expects this to happen in 2023. As the transition may take some time, coins bearing the late Queen's effigy may continue to be minted. The design of King Charles' portrait is yet to be determined but will be supplied by the United Kingdom's Royal Mint.
The change to feature King Charles III will mark the first change to Australian coins since the death of King George VI in 1952.
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth II was on Australian money because she was the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which Australia is a part.
Queen Elizabeth II's portrait was featured on the $5, $1, and $10 banknotes, as well as coins.
Queen Elizabeth II's portrait has been on Australian currency since her coronation in 1953.
Australian currency featuring Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and will continue to circulate for years to come. Eventually, the currency will be replaced with coins and notes featuring King Charles III.
Yes, Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on currencies in dozens of other countries, including Canada, New Zealand, and Belize.
