Latest news and updates on Australian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
June 22, 2025
10 pounds 1913 to 1940 banknotes - Price guide and values
The first Commonwealth of Australia ten pound notes featured the wheat carters operating at Narwonah, New South Wales on the back. The next notes, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, are longer and narrower than earlier issues. Later, there was an addition of a circle in the lower right displaying the watermark profile of the Prince of Wales (later to become famous as the King who abdicated - Edward VIII) and watermark TEN POUNDS behind each signature.
June 19, 2025
Half Penny 1953 to 1964 - Price Guide and values
The Half Penny reverse design changed in 1939 and remained the same until the decimal currency adoption. The obverse now shows Queen Elizabeth II. From 1956 to 1958, no half penny were produced.
June 18, 2025
Half Penny 1938 to 1952 - Price Guide and values
Most of the reverses on Australian coins changed in 1938, except for the Half Penny and the sixpence. The Half Penny design only changed in at the end of 1939 for the roo reverse. Our old standby, India, came to the rescue with the Bombay branch of the Royal Mint striking both pennies and halpennies during 1942 and 1943.
June 16, 2025
5 pounds 1939 to 1966 banknotes - Price guide and values
The death of King George VI belatedly led to the introduction of new designs for the five pound note. Arctic explorer, Sir John Franklin features on the front of the new note and a mural celebrating the produce of Australia's Primary Industry surrounding a central motif of Aboriginal artefacts appears on the back.
June 15, 2025
Half Penny 1911 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. Only in 1911 was the introduction of halfpennies and pennies for the first time and a portrait of the new king - Edward's son, George V.
June 13, 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book coins
The Royal Australian Mint, in partnership with NewsXpress and Are Media, released a coins program on The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book. The cover illustration is of the train cake and the cookbook is sometimes referred to as the book with the train on the cover. There are 108 themed cakes appearing in the original edition.
June 11, 2025
5 pounds 1913 to 1939 banknotes - Price guide and values
This first Commonwealth of Australia five pound note featured the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn, New South Wales on the back and a band of red across the top and bottom of the note. Approximately 11,290,400 five pound notes were printed between 1924 and 1927 with James Kell's signature, firstly as Chairman, Note Issue Department, and changing to Governor of the Commonwealth Bank in 1927. Approximately 20,338,000 five pound notes were printed between 1933 and 1939 featuring the Riddle/Sheehan signature combination.
June 10, 2025
2 dollars 1988 to 2025 - Price Guide and values
Two dollar Australian coins showing an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on June 20, 1988 to replace the two dollar note which had a short service life through high use. Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two dollar coin based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross and Australian flora.
June 8, 2025
1 pound 1938 to 1966 banknotes - Price guide and values
The first signature combination - Sheehan/McFarlane - was printed in green, while the remaining combinations until 1953 were printed in black. Approximately 1,066,000,000 one pound notes were produced between 1953 and 1966 with the only changes being in signatory H. C. Coombs' title when responsibility for issuing notes was transferred from the Commonwealth Bank to the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the shade of green used on the reverse of the note.
June 6, 2025
1 dollar 2020 to 2025 - Price Guide and values
The new effigy is the official Commonwealth Effigy designed by The Royal Mint in London with Royal Approval. The first coin to have the King's effigy was the $1 coin. The coins started appearing in banks and cash registers across the country before Christmas 2023.
June 5, 2025
Year of the Rabbit - First Silver Perth Mint Lunar Series
The Perth Mint produced coins for their Lunar Series since 1999. These coins are mainly struck for Chinese coin collectors and bullion buyers. Each lunar series coin features an animal from the Chinese Zodiac. The Lunar coins are generally available in a range of gold and silver designs and finishes.
June 4, 2025
1 pound 1913 to 1938 banknotes - Price guide and values
In 1914-15, a note was made as an interim emergency issue, printed at the Government Printing Office by the Government Stamp Printer, to meet the large demand for banknotes generated during the early years of World War I. Later, a smaller note, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, was introduced to improve production efficiency. Six notes could be printed per sheet instead of the previous four.
June 3, 2025
1 dollar 1999 to 2019 - Price Guide and values
Silver and gold sets, Australia's first holographic image, privy marks, 26 coins sets program, etc. Many dollar coins not intended for circulation were made during this period.
June 1, 2025
10 shillings 1939 to 1966 banknotes - Price guide and values
Introduced following the death of King George V, the design of the King George VI ten shilling note remained unchanged throughout his reign, with only the signatories being modified. The death of King George VI presented an opportunity to introduce new designs for the ten shillings note. Captain Matthew Flinders is featured on the front of the new note and the then Parliament House in Canberra appears on the back.
May 29, 2025
1 dollar 1984 to 1998 - Price Guide and values
One dollar Australian coins showing five kangaroos on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on May 14, 1984 to replace the one dollar note which had a short service life through high use. In 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991, no 1-dollar coin were produced for circulation.
May 28, 2025
Florin 1910 to 1963 - Not intended for circulation
Special proof and specimen Australian penny coins were released through the years. Some of them are very rare and valuable.
May 27, 2025
10 shillings 1913 to 1938 banknotes - Price guide and values
Approximately 502,667 of the 1913-1914 ten shilling note were printed. Following the detection of forgeries of this note, the design was changed in 1915. This smaller note, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, was introduced to improve production efficiency. Six notes could be printed per sheet instead of the previous four. Following complaints that the smaller 10 shilling note introduced in 1933 could be mistaken for a ten pound note, the words TEN SHILLINGS were added on three of the borders.
May 26, 2025
Several pictures of errors, varieties and mis-strikes added
Australian coins contains many errors, varieties and mis-strikes. Sometimes, it increases the value of the coin with one of the type below. These errors, varieties and mis-strikes are caused by several factors durant the production process. Through images and descriptions in the section, it allows you to identify and classify several types of errors, varieties and mis-strikes.
May 25, 2025
50 cents 1966 to 2025 - Price Guide and values
Fifty cent Australian coins showing the Commonwealth Coat of Arms on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. First ones made in silver, a new shape and alloy was reintroduced into circulation in September, 1969 because silver price rose above the face value and to help solve the confusion with the twenty cents.
May 23, 2025
New Guinea coins price guide and values - Pre-decimal coins
The New Guinean pound was the currency of the Australian Territory of New Guinea between 1915 and 1966. No banknotes were ever issued and all denominations larger than one shilling were Australian currency. Production of New Guinea coins ceased until Papua New Guinea started minting its own currency in the 1970s.
May 21, 2025
20 cents 1966 to 2025 - Price Guide and values
Twenty cent Australian coins showing an Platypus on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Like the four species of echidna, the platypus is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century humans hunted the platypus for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range.
May 21, 2025
Decimal next generation banknotes price guide and values
February 14, 1966 the Australian pound was replaced by a decimal currency for pragmatic and economic reasons. Notes issued between 1966 and 1973 bore the title Commonwealth of Australia. Starting from 1974, the title on the new notes only read Australia.
May 18, 2025
Moon Landing and Australian Coins
On July 1969 (21 July AEST), Neil Armstrong descended from the Eagle lunar module, taking one small step for man, one giant leap for manking. Images of the historic moon walk were captured on Earth by Australia's Parkes radio telescope and relayed to Mission Control in Houston for international broadcast. This event was commemorated on several Australian coins.
May 15, 2025
100 dollars 1996 to 2017 banknotes - Price guide and values
The polymer $100 banknote, designed by Bruce Stewart, was issued in May 1996. It featured portraits of Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash.
May 15, 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.
