Latest news and updates on Australian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
August 22, 2025
50 cents - Die clash possibilities added
Die clashes are marks on the dies by their clashing. Die clashes occurs when the press is active and that there are no blanks between them. After the clash, all coins minted with this same die will present these marks. To help you to identify die clash on Australian coins.
August 22, 2025
10 dollars 1993 to 2016 - Price guide and values
These were early designs of the $10 banknote featuring Banjo Paterson and Dame Mary Gilmore. The $10 banknote, designed by Max Robinson, was issued in November 1993. The 'Waltzing Matilda' logo which appears on the $10 note was reproduced from the cover of the sheet music, first published in 1902.
August 21, 2025
Crown 1937 to 1938 - Price Guide and values
The 1937 crown was especially struck to commemorate the coronation of George VI. It's colloquial or slang name, 'Casey's Cartwheel', was an irreverent dig at the Treasurer of the time, R.G Casey, who proposed the coin. The short history of the Australian crown is a sad and confusing one. Sad, because it was so unpopular. Confusing, because it was originally designed as a one-off commemorative but lost it's significance when issued again in 1938.
August 19, 2025
20 cents 2025 - The Rainbow Serpent
First published in 1975, The Rainbow Serpent is a classic Dreamtime story that inspired readers of all ages. Roughsey, a Lardil man from Mornington Island in Queensland, is recognised for his lasting contribution to Australian art and children’s literature. The book won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award in 1976 and remains in print today.
August 18, 2025
Australian Steam Giants and Steam Trains 50 Cents Coins
In 2025, the Mint presented Steam Giants – Australian Rail Heritage. The coins gather together some of the largest steam locomotives to run in Australia and tells the dramatic story of progress that led to railways across the country racing to build bigger and more powerful machines.
August 17, 2025
Florin 1953 to 1963 - Price Guide and values
In 1954, the Mint decided to produce a new (and last) commemorative Florin for the first visit of the Queen Elizabeth II in Australia. In 1955, no florin was produced.
August 13, 2025
10 dollars banknotes of 1966 to 1993 price guide and values
Sydney's early architect Francis Greenway, and Henry Lawson, one of Australia's best known poets and short story writers, were shown on the $10 note. Australia's banknotes were also transformed in this period. In 1988, Harry Williamson was chosen to lead the design team, with a theme of 'settlement'. First banknote in the world to be printed on a non-fibrous polymer substrate.
August 10, 2025
Florin 1938 to 1952 - Price Guide and values
San Francisco assisted the Melbourne Mint between 1942 and 1944 to produce Florins. In 1951, a commemorative reverse was produce to commemorate the 50th year of Federation. From 1948 to 1950, no florin was produced.
August 9, 2025
5 dollars 2016 to 2025 banknotes - Price guide and values
On one side, the banknote depicts Parliament House, Canberra, denoting the role of parliament. On the other side, a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is shown, denoting the role of the monarch within the system of constitutional monarchy. Since 1923, Australian banknotes have portrayed the reigning monarch.
August 7, 2025
Florin 1910 to 1936 - Price Guide and values
From 1910 to 1915, all Florins were struck in England with the Melbourne Mint producing all issues from 1916 to 1919. During this period the London issues carry no mintmark while the Birmingham ones carry a H for Heaton and the Melbourne issues the M mintmark. In 1920, 1929 and 1930, no florin was produced.
August 6, 2025
Shilling 1953 to 1963 - Price Guide and values
Queen Elizabeth II first appeared in 1953 on our coinage following the death of her father in 1952. The last florins, shillings and sixpences were struck in 1963.
August 1, 2025
Thomas Stokes tokens designs comparison - Arms added
The multiple reverses on Australian tokens might be hard to identify or remember especially for new collectors. This comparison tool will assist you through the major recognized reverses through key design elements.
July 31, 2025
Shilling 1938 to 1952 - Price Guide and values
In 1938, the design changed for most denominations including the shilling. The U.S.A. mints at San Francisco came to the party, producing shillings between 1942 and 1944. These coins carry either the mintmark 'S'. In 1945, 1947 and 1949, no shilling was produced.
July 30, 2025
Decimal banknotes from 1995 to 2015 price guide and values
The $5 banknote received a mixed public response. Some people considered it too dull while others were disappointed at the loss of Caroline Chisholm, the only woman apart from the Monarch to have appeared on an Australian currency note. In April 1995, a more brightly coloured $5 banknote was issued to more clearly distinguish it from the $10 note. In celebration of the Centenary of Australia's Federation, the RBA issued a commemorative $5 banknote in January 2001.
July 28, 2025
Kookaburra Patterns - 1919 to 1921 - Penny and Half Penny
The Australian Government wanted to replace the circulating Half Penny and Penny in 1919. Trial square patterns, the Kookaburra, were minted by the Royal Mint in London and specimens in Royal Mint in Melbourne. Because there awkward shape and low weight revealing technical difficulties it was decided to not put them into circulation to replace the current bronze low denominations coins.
July 27, 2025
Shilling 1910 to 1936 - Price Guide and values
In 1910, the first distinctive Australian Commonwealth coins, struck at the Royal Mint in London, were introduced. It was a somewhat jinxed start for Australian currency. The range was incomplete as no pennies or halfpennies were struck. The first shipment, consisting exclusively of shillings, arrived on 1st March, 1910.
July 23, 2025
Decimal banknotes from 1967 to 1993 price guide and values
Sir Joseph Banks and a collage of unique Australian flora featured on the $5 banknote. The $5 banknote featured a woman, other than the Monarch, for the first time on Australia's currency notes. The portrait of Caroline Chisholm is set against a background of the women and children, sailing ships and Sydney foreshore of her time. Starting in 1992, the front of the note carries a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with a branch of a gum tree and the back of the note depicts Parliament House, Canberra.
July 22, 2025
6 Pence - 1953 to 1963 - Price Guide and values
Queen Elizabeth II first appeared in 1953 on our coinage following the death of her father in 1952. The rather engaging portrait of the young queen was designed by English sculptress, Mrs Mary Gillick, an ageing widow whose design was accepted as she celebrated her seventy-first birthday.
July 20, 2025
2 dollars 2025 - Rugby, Wallabies and Wallaroos
In the lead-up to two major events in international rugby — the British and Irish Lions Tour and the Women's Rugby World Cup — the Royal Australian Mint, in partnership with rebel, presented new coins celebrating the Wallabies and Wallaroos.
July 19, 2025
6 Pence 1938 to 1952 - Price Guide and values
The design was to change on each of the coins in 1938 - with one exception. It was retained for the sixpence and its fifty-three-year-old history only came to an end with the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. In 1947 and 1949, no sixpence was produced.
July 16, 2025
6 Pence 1910 to 1936 - Price Guide and values
The obverse of the 1910 issues depicts a crowned and robed bust of Edward VII facing right. In 1911, George was also portrayed crowned and robed although his more youthful looks faced left in the English tradition of alternating the facing direction of each subsequent monarch. In 1913, 1915 and from 1929 to 1933, no sixpence was produced.
July 14, 2025
Several tokens of Australia and New Zealand added
Due to a shortage of small coinage in Australia in the 19th century, several merchants ordered un-official tokens to facilitate trade.
July 14, 2025
2 dollars 1966 to 1988 banknotes - Price guide and values
Despite reduced attention to representing economic development, Australia's agricultural industries continued their reign as important features on our currency notes, with wool and wheat symbolised on the $2 banknote. 2 dollars John Macarthur (1767-1834) and the wool industry featured on the front of the $2 banknote.
July 12, 2025
Prince William and Catherine Middleton Royal Wedding Coins
The Royal Australian Mint, in keeping with the tradition of celebrating milestones of the Royal Family, released in 2010 an official royal engagement coins for Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. The Royal Wedding Coin design, featuring a portrait of the couple,was released in the coming weeks leading up to the wedding.
July 12, 2025
3 pence - 1953 to 1964 - Price Guide and values
Queen Elizabeth II first appeared in 1953 on our coinage following the death of her father in 1952. The rather engaging portrait of the young queen was designed by English sculptress, Mrs Mary Gillick, an ageing widow whose design was accepted as she celebrated her seventy-first birthday. The legend was also revised.
