Introduction
The system of decimal notes & coins replaced the previous system
based on British pounds, shillings & pence.
In the old system 12 pence were equal to 1 shilling,
& 20 shillings were equal to £1.
In the decimal system 100 cents equals $1.
At the time of introduction, $1 equaled 10 shillings.
Six denominations of decimal coins were issued:
1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents & 50 cents,
& four banknote denominations:
$1, $2, $10 and $20.
The Original 1966 Television Advertisement
Did you know?
This was the television advertisement promoting
the introduction of Australia's new currency system
on 14 February 1966.
1: The Original Coins
The 1 Cent Coin
Did you know?
The 1 cent coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the feather tailed glider.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 1 cent coin was discontinued in 1990.
The 2 Cent Coin
Did you know?
The 2 cent coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the frilled lizard.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 2 cent coin was discontinued in 1989.
The 5 Cent Coin
Did you know?
The 5 cent coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the echidna.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 5 cent coin is still in circulation.
The 10 Cent Coin
Did you know?
The 10 cent coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the lyrebird.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 10 cent coin is still in circulation.
The 20 Cent Coin
Did you know?
The 20 cent coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the platypus.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 20 cent coin is still in circulation.
The 50 Cent (Round) Coin
Did you know?
The 50 cent (round) coin was introduced in 1966.
The front of the coin displays the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 50 cent (round) coin was replace with a new shape in 1969.
2: The Original Paper Notes
The 1 Dollar Note
Did you know?
The 1 dollar note was introduced in 1966.
The front of the note features the Australian Coat of Arms & Queen Elizabeth II.
The back of the note features various Aboriginal paintings & carvings.
The 1 dollar note was discontinued in 1988.
The 2 Dollar Note
Did you know?
The 2 dollar note was introduced in 1966.
The front pays tribute to John Macarthur & his work in the wool industry.
The back pays tribute to William James Farrer & his work in the wheat industry.
The 2 dollar note was discontinued in 1988.
The 5 Dollar Note
Did you know?
The 5 dollar note was introduced in 1966.
The front pays tribute to Sir Joseph Banks & his work in botanical studies.
The back pays tribute to Caroline Chisholm & her work with migrant women.
The 5 dollar note was discontinued in 1988.
The 10 Dollar Note
Did you know?
The 10 dollar note was introduced in 1966.
The front pays tribute to Francis Greenway & his work in architecture.
The back shows Henry Lawson & scenes of his childhood years.
The 10 dollar note was discontinued in 1988.
The 20 Dollar Note
Did you know?
The 20 dollar note was introduced in 1966.
The front pays tribute to Charles Kingsford Smith & his contribution to aviation.
The back pays tribute to Lawrence Hargrave & his research on human flight.
The 20 dollar note was discontinued in 1988.
3: Introducing Some New Coins
The 50 Cent Coin
Did you know?
This 50 cent coin was introduced in 1969.
The front of the coin displays Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
This 50 cent coin is still in circulation.
The Dollar Coin
Did you know?
The 1 dollar coin was introduced in 1984.
The front of the coin displays five kangaroos.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 1 dollar coin is still in circulation.
The 2 Dollar Coin
Did you know?
The 2 dollar coin was introduced in 1988.
The front displays an Aborigine, the Southern Cross & Australian flora.
The back of the coin displays Queen Elizabeth II.
The 2 dollar coin is still in circulation.
4: The New Polymere Notes
A New 5 Dollar Note
Did you know?
This new 5 dollar note was introduced in 1992.
The front displays Queen Elizabeth II with a branch of a gum tree.
The back of the note displays Parliament House in Canberra.
This 5 dollar note is still in circulation.
A New 10 Dollar Note
Did you know?
This new 10 dollar note was introduced in 1993.
The front pays tribute to Banjo Patterson & his song Waltzing Matilda.
The back pays tribute to Dame Mary Gilmore & her various campaigning efforts.
This 10 dollar note is still in circulation.
A New 20 Dollar Note
Did you know?
This new 20 dollar note was introduced in 1994.
The front pays tribute to Mary Reibey & her charity work.
The back pays tribute to Reverend John Flynn & his Flying Doctor Service.
This 20 dollar note is still in circulation.
The 50 Dollar Note
Did you know?
This new 50 dollar note was introduced in 1995.
The front pays tribute to David Unaipon the first Aboriginal author.
The back pays tribute to Edith Cowan the first female in Parliament.
This 50 dollar note is still in circulation.
The 100 Dollar Note
Did you know?
This new 100 dollar note was introduced in 1996.
The front pays tribute to Dame Nellie Melba the famous singer.
The back pays tribute to Sir John Monash the successful army general.
This 100 dollar note is still in circulation.
