Plastic Banknotes.

History of Australian Coins

Yes as previously posted the two dollar note is no more but here is how the coins developed

In 1913, the first Commonwealth of Australia Ten Shilling notes were printed in Melbourne. A further three denominations were issued in that year - the One Pound, Five Pound and the Ten Pound notes.The large denomination notes ranging from 20, 50, 100 and 1000 Pound were all in circulation by 1914 and continued until 1938 when the 20 Pound was withdrawn, followed by the 50 and 100 Pound in 1945. (The 1000 Pound note had been withdrawn from general circulation on June 30th. 1915 - all known stocks were destroyed in 1969.)
The remaining Imperial denominations were continued until the major shake-up when decimal currency arrived in 1966, and a completely new philosophy was adopted. This saw the introduction of coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and the introduction of notes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars.
The $1 and $2 notes were eventually replaced with coins and in recent years the 1 and 2 cent coins have been removed from circulation with amounts rounded up or rounded down to the nearest 5 cents.
When the new polymer plastic technological breakthrough was announced in 1988, the eventual demise of paper currency in Australia was inevitable. The new designs feature eight Australian pioneers who had contributed a great deal to Australia, and I've included some information on who they were and why they have earned their place on our currency.
Coins
Coins are minted at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, the national capital. The obverse side (or head) of all coins carries the year of issue and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, also Queen of Australia. The current portrait design, in use since 1985, is by Raphael Maklouf. This design replaced the portrait of the Queen by Arnold Machin which was standard on all coins between 1966 and '84. The standard reverse (or tail) designs are reproductions of Australian fauna and these have been designed by Stuart Devlin, except for the $2 coin which depicts the bust of an Aboriginal Elder sculpted by Horst Hahne.
The five cent coin depicts an echidna, or spiny ant-eater, one of only two egg-laying mammals. It grows to about 45 cm (17.7 inches) long and depends on its spines for protection. Echidnas live in most Australian habitats.
The 10 cent coin shows a male lyrebird dancing, its magnificent tail expanded and thrown forward over its head. A clever mimic, the lyrebird inhabits the dense, damp forests of Australia's eastern coast.
The reverse of the 20 cent piece presents the world's only other egg-laying mammal (or monotreme), the platypus. The Platypus is found on the banks of waterways on the east of the continent. It has webbed feet, rich, brown fur and uses its duck-like bill to hunt for food along the bottom of streams and rivers.
The standard 50 cent piece carries a representation of the Australian Coat of Arms which is the six state badges on a central shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu, with a background of Mitchell grass. The 50 cent piece is often minted with special designs for commemorative purposes. The 1994 coin, for example, carries a design which commemorates the International year of the Family. Other commemorative designs appeared on the 50 cent coin in 1970, '81, '82, '88 and '91.
The one dollar coin is also used to carry commemorative designs. Introduced in 1984, the standard coin depicts five kangaroos, one of Australia's most recognisable animals. Commemorative designs include the International Year of Peace in 1986, Australia's bicentenary in 1988, the 1992 Barcelona Games and, in 1993, Landcare Australia which raised awareness of water quality issues in Australia.
The two dollar coin shows an Aboriginal tribal elder set against a background of the Southern Cross and native grass trees. The design restores to Australian currency a recognition of Australia's Aboriginal heritage, a recognition which was temporarily absent when the one dollar coin replaced the one dollar note in 1984.
The one and two dollar coins are made of 92 per cent copper, six per cent aluminium and two per cent nickel. They feature interrupted milling along the edge as an aid for visually impaired people.
Richard

 

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GREAT POST...! I love being able to learn something new. I have few few of the coins and a set of the post-decimal era. I don't have any of the higher denominations except for a 2988 $2.00 Brass looking Austrailian piece.

catman

 

2988

Catman
If you have a 2988 coin - I want to buy it NOW-
Sorry for the sick humor, but I enjoy finding people like myself who have fingers that cant spell.

Richard
The OFISHAL SPELLUN CHUMPION

 

Can you describe the coin

Catman
Can you describe the brass looking piece or submit a pic. I will help you identify it.
Richard

 

Boy Richard...! I guess I could be rich or arrested. I'm not sure which.
.

Richard...Are you in Australia..? If so I have a question for you. (I have a Rennicks around here somewhere) but did they produce proof 2 cent coin from 1967 to what year.?

I thought I would put together a proof set and have Capital Plastics design a special holder for it. That is if they still do it.

catman

 

No sorry I lived in Australia for 7 years, I am married to an Australian

Ansswer to your question - The two cent piece was proofed from 1966 to 1984 There was a different two cent minted and proofed from 1985 - 1991
Richard

 

I hate to keep bothering you Richard but I have another quick question. On the issues that were minted between 1985-1991. Was there a size difference or a weight change or was is just a type change.

catman

 

style

No difference in size, weight , content but the artist on the Obv changed from Arnold Machin to Raphael Maklouf


Richard

P.S. I'm still looking for that 2988 coin!

 

Thanks Richard,

If you ever get to Las Vegas. I'll owe you lunch.

catman

 

The first country issuing plastic bank notes was Haiti in 1979. There are now more than 80 different polymer notes known, with all known variantions more then hundred. 23 countries issued plastic money, a lot more are proofing.

There is a big community of collectors world wide, collecting polymer (Tyvek, Bradvek, Guardian, general plastic) bank notes.
A specialized catalogue is on the market since November 2003.


Peter Bauer
Self promotion and links to commercial websites are not permitted outside the Open or Auction Forums.

 

Any polymer banknote collector using this reference book? (attached image)

 

Singapore is actually the secound country to use polymer banknotes to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the nation using Australian technology in 1990, but was withdrawn over time because of the serious issue of using red ink on polymer notes.

 

I am using this catalogue.

 

Nigeria is reportedly going to be issuing plastic banknotes soon.I saw Trevor Wilkin's column in the July 2006 edition of the British 'Coin News'.

Aidan.

 

Me too!

 

Hi Guys,

I am new to this site. How does this work? Do I just post my topic here (polymer notes) and discuss with those who are also interested in the same topic? This is a bit difference from those Yahoo's clubs that I am a member of. Feel free to reply. Cheers..
kai

 

Nice cover.

Sterling,that is a very nice cover on that book.
Aidan.