Latest news and updates on Australian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
September 13, 2025
Ram's head, ancient symbol of strength, power, and leadership
The ram's head is an ancient symbol of strength, power, and leadership, found in art and cultural motifs across various civilizations, from ancient Greece and Rome to ancient Egypt. The animal itself, particularly the bighorn ram, is known for its formidable strength and impressive horns. While the head is not the official logo of the mint itself, the design is most famously associated with the Australian shilling coin and was a key design element on Australian coins.
September 12, 2025
60 cents 2010 to 2012 - Not intended for circulation
Special proof and specimen Australian penny coins were released through the years. Some of them are very rare and valuable.
September 11, 2025
New Zealand - Florin 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide and values
The design on reverse shows a foraging kiwi. The kiwi has long had a special significance for the indigenous Mãori people, who used its skin to make feather cloaks (kahu kiwi) for chiefs. Nationwide studies show that only around 5 to 10% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood without management. Kiwi is also a common self-reference used by New Zealanders and even internationally.
September 10, 2025
10 cents 1966 to 2025 - Price Guide and values
Ten cent Australian coins showing an Lyrebird on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Lyrebirds are most notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment, and the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral-coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.
September 8, 2025
20 dollars 2019 and 2023 banknotes - Price guide and values
The $20 banknote celebrates the contributions of Mary Reibey and Reverend John Flynn. In keeping with theme established by the new banknote series, the new $20 banknote features a different species of native Australia wattle and a native Australian bird - the Laughing Kookaburra.
September 7, 2025
50 cents 2009 - Not intended for circulation
Australia Post (in collaboration with the Perth Mint) presented stamp-coin sets to mark the 200 years of Postal Services in Australia.
September 5, 2025
5 cents 1966 to 2025 - Specifications and features added
Five cent Australian coins showing an Echidna on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Also called spiny anteaters, echidnas are the only living mammals that lay eggs and live in Australia and New Guinea. The echidnas are named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles.
September 5, 2025
New Zealand Sixpence - 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide and values
The reverse of these coins shows extinct huia bird perched on a branch. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907, although there was a credible sighting in 1924. Like the extinctions of other New Zealand birds such as the piopio in the 19th century, the decline of the huia was poorly studied.
September 3, 2025
1 dollar 1967 - Swan Goose
In 1967, a Goose or Swan 1-dollar unofficial coin was issued. The idea came from the Australian Coin Review magazine who ran a contest. Readers could create a design to the magazine and the winning one was submitted to the Australian government. The winner, Andor Meszaros, designed a reverse with a Swan, Australia 1967 and his initials. It is often categorized as a modern fantasy or an unofficial pattern dollar.
September 3, 2025
2 cents 1966 to 2018 - Price Guide and values
Two cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of two cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. They still continue to be legal tender and can ben used to purchase goods or deposited at a financial institution even if they were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.
September 2, 2025
New Zealand - Threepence 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide and values
The patu was chosen for the design on the reverse of the New Zealand 3 pence. It A patu is a club or pounder used by the M?ori. The word patu in the M?ori language means to strike, hit, beat, kill or subdue.
August 31, 2025
1 cent 1966 to 2019 - Price Guide and values
One cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of one cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins.
August 30, 2025
20 dollars 1994 to 2018 banknotes - Price guide and values
There were various designs for the $20 banknote before a final decision was made. The $20 banknote, designed by Garry Emery, came out in October 1994. Mary Reibey featured on one side of the note and the other side carried a portrait of Reverend John Flynn.
August 28, 2025
New Zealand - Penny 1940 to 1965 - Price Guide and values
The tiki was chosen for the design on the reverse of the New Zealand half penny. It is an ornamental pendant of the Mãori.
August 27, 2025
Crown 1937 and 1938 - Not intended for circulation
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 26, 2025
20 dollars 1966 to 1993 - Price guide and values
The new $1, $2, $10 and $20 banknotes were issued on 14 February 1966. Charles Kingsford Smith and Lawrence Hargrave appeared on the $20 note. They symbolised Australia's significant contribution to aviation and aeronautics.
August 26, 2025
10 dollars 2017 to 2023 - Price guide and values
The design of the new $10 banknote celebrates Australia's literary heritage. The $10 banknote retains the portraits of two of Australia's most celebrated writers - Dame Mary Gilmore and Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson who were both featured on the previous banknotes. The two portraits derive from drawings based on original photographs.
August 24, 2025
New Zealand - Half Penny 1940 to 1965 - Price Guide and values
The Tui Bird was chosen for the design on the reverse of the New Zealand penny. It is native to New Zealand.
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.
