Australian Currency – Coins, Banknotes & Value

When the first fleet arrived in Australia it was decided that no currency was required as the population consisted of only soldiers and convicts. Rum became one of the original forms of currency during the first 25 years despite all the issues of spillage and loss. Working in a bank might have been fun! The first coins used in Australia, in 1813, were created by punching the centre out of a Spanish dollar to produce two coins the Holey Dollar and the Dump, they were then stamped with their new values making them worthless elsewhere in the world. 1910, nine years after Federation, Australian silver coins were introduced, a year later Australian bronze pennies and half pennies and in 1913 the first Australian notes were issued. In 1966 decimal currency, dollars and cents replaced the pounds, shillings and pence. Today, Australia is a world leader in bank notes and coins and pioneered the use of polymer bank notes in 1988, although it wasn’t until 1996 that paper notes were fully replaced. Notes of different denominations vary in both size and colour. Each of the Australian dollar notes depict a famous Australian or notable person who has some important significance to Australia.

The present $5 note is the only current circulation note that doesn’t have an actual person on both sides. One side features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, while the other features a picture of the Parliament House in Canberra (Australia’s capital city). The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II – which is displayed along with a small branch of eucalyptus – was actually commissioned in 1984 by the Reserve Bank, but didn’t appear on the first polymer $5 note until 1992. Both the Old and New Parliament Houses are represented as architectural sketches (including an aerial view) on the back of the $5 note. The image shown is a new more secure and colourful $5 note released in September 2016 which features some slight changes from the original polymer notes.

The $20 note features philanthropist Mary Reibey, and aerial medical service pioneer, the Reverend John Flynn.

Mary Reibey (1777–1855) actually arrived in Australia in 1792 as a convict, but this tenacious achiever then went on to become a successful shipping magnate and philanthropist. Reibey developed a reputation as a perceptive, successful businesswoman after taking over her husband’s enterprises, following his death in 1811. With her success, she spread her fortune by funding charitable work and participating in church and education interests. Along with her portrait, the $20 note also contains images of the schooner Mercury and a building in George Street that she owned.

Reverend John Flynn (1880–1951) founded the first aerial medical service in the world. You may recognise the contemporary name of his legacy- the Royal Flying Doctor Service! After helping to establish the Presbyterian Church’s Australian Inland Mission, Flynn could see a dire need for inland Australians to have access to medical services, so – after many setbacks – he achieved the feat of establishing the aerial medical service, as well as its associated radio communications. In 1928, the service’s maiden voyage occurred with the DeHavilland 50 aircraft Victory, which is also pictured on the note.

The $100 note features legendary soprano Dame Nellie Melba and General Sir John Monash – an eminent soldier, engineer and administrator.Dame Nellie Melba (1861–1931) was known for her amazing soprano voice – which had an even quality over its three-octave range – and her charitable character. Her voice shot this Aussie to international fame after her 1887 Brussels debut in Verdi’s Rigoletto, but her most famous role was that of Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème. Despite the gruelling schedule her stardom caused, Melba never forgot her roots and participated in a number of charitable causes in Australia. Her 1902 homecoming concert in Australia and New Zealand is depicted on the $100 note.

General Sir John Monash, (1865–1931) was one of the greatest military commanders in Australia, as well as an engineer and administrator. Monash served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front during WWI and his outstanding victory at Hamel inspired a succession of further victories, which eventually led to the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. During the 1920s, Monash continued to advise on military and engineering matters, was a representative for returned soldiers and held a number of important civilian positions, such as being the head of Victoria’s State Electricity Commission. Monash played a huge role in the construction of Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, and mentored William McCormack a key engineer on the Great Ocean Road.