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By the early 1960's, the government had decided that Australia would have a decimal currency and that the designs on the coins and notes would have a uniquely Australian theme.
The Dollar was chosen as the unit of currency and there would be 100 cents in the Dollar.
The designer of the reverse of the initial range of coins was Stuart Devlin, and to reflect Australia he chose various indigenous animals.
All Australian decimal coins feature Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
The reverse of general circulation (non-commemorative) Australian Coins feature the following -
- 1 cent = Feather Tailed Glider (no longer in circulation)
- 2 cent = Frill Neck Lizard (no longer in circulation)
- 5 cent = Echidna
- 10 cent = Lyre Bird
- 20 cent = Platypus
- 50 cent = Australian Coat of Arms inc. kangaroo and emu
- 1 Dollar = 5 Kangaroos
- 2 Dollar = A bust of an Aboriginal elder from an engraving
The 20 cent, 50 cent and One Dollar coins are often used as Commemoratives and will have non-standard reverse designs in some years.
Decimal currency was introduced in Australia on the 14th of February, 1966.
Stuart Leslie Devlin, the designer, is an Australian artist and goldsmith, born in Geelong; his designs feature an attractive perception of depth and movement. The platypus on the 20c coin is particularly evocative, seen swimming below the water's surface. Devlin's tiny initials can be found on each coin. Stuart Devlin later designed the standard non-commemorative One Dollar coin.
Horst Hahne designed the Two Dollar coin.
The link below, to the Royal Australian Mint, gives excellent representations of Australian currency, including the various fifty cent and one dollar reverses, which change regularly for commemorative and theme purposes.
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∙ 12y ago
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∙ 15y agoThe design on the reverse of the 2005 Australian 50 cent coin "Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games" (Student design), depicts athletes mimicking various Australian native animals. Brolga - Female gymnast Emu - Runner Tree Frog - High Jumper Kangaroo - Long Jumper Platypus - Swimmer
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoStandard, non-commerative, post-1966 designs have these animals on the reverse:
1c = feathertail glider (no longer minted)
2c = frill-necked lizard (no longer minted)
5c = echidna
10c = superb lyrebird
20c = platypus
50c = kangaroo and emu
$1 = mob of (5) kangaroos
$2 = human (aboriginal elder)
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe standard issue non-commemorative Australian 50 cent coin features the kangaroo and the emu as a part of the Australian Coat of Arms.
The Australian 50 cent coin is frequently used as a commemorative and the images on those commemorative coins are different to suit the occasion that is being commemorated.
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∙ 11y agoThe Frill necked lizard is featured on the reverse of all Australian 2 cent coins from the first issue in 1966 to the last issue in 1989.
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∙ 11y agoThe Echidna is featured on the reverse of all Australian 5 cent coins from the first issue in 1966 to present.
See the link below for information on this and other Australian currency:
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoAustralia discontinued its one-cent coin in 1990. It featured the feathertail glider.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFrill Neck Lizard
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Do they only put native Australian animals on the coins?
Many different countries put their native animals on their coins. In Canada we have the bear, moose and loon.
Why are famous Australians on notes or on coins?
Australia puts famous or historically significant Australian identities or scenes on its banknotes, and distinctive or definitive Australian animals on the reverse of most coins to make the coins and banknotes identifiably and uniquely Australian. There does not seem to be much point to featuring US Presidents, Brazilian animals, Russian statues or Chinese emblems on Australian coins and banknotes, since it would all become very confusing.
What is Australian creations?
The Australian coins, the Australian anthem and the Australian notes.
Who created the Australian coins?
The original Australian decimal coins were designed by Stuart Devlin and mostly produced by the Royal Australian Mint Canberra.
What coins were defaced in Australia?
Nobody keeps a list, but it would be a fair bet that many thousands of coins are damaged either deliberately of accidentally each year. As coins are returned to the bank or the Royal Mint, staff weed out damaged or worn coins and recycle them.
What are the current Australian coins of 2009?
Australian coins have not changed since last year. General circulation coins are - 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and $1 and $2 coins.
Where can one purchase some Australian coins?
There are many places online that one can buy Australian coins as well as many local stores that one can visit. One of the most popular places that one can buy Australian coins is the Australian website perthmint.
How many 1997 Australian 50 cent coins were minted?
There were 4,337,200 Australian 1997 50 cent coins minted.
What Australian coins be used in penny bombs?
None. It is illegal to deliberately damage, deface or otherwise mutilate Australian coins.
Who is on the front of Australian coins?
The reigning British monarch is on the obverse of all Australian coins. Currently, it is Queen Elizabeth II.
What Native australian animals begin with a?
Australian Fur Seal and Australian Pelican are animals in Australia. The Australian Magpie is another Australian animal.
What bird is on the Australian 100 Dollar note?
Animals do not feature on current Australian banknotes. The only animals appearing on current Australian banknotes are some horses on the Ten and One Hundred Dollar notes, and a camel on the Twenty Dollar note. There is also a stylised Lyrebrid on the hologram of the One Hundred Dollar note.
