What did the first Australian coin look like?

Answer 1

The first coins to be minted in Australia were not Australian coins and were used as a temporary measure to relieve the otherwise cash strapped colonies. Governor Lachlan Macquarie acquired about 40,000 Spanish Dollars in 1812. The centres were punched out producing two coins, the Holey Dollar valued at 5 Shillings and the "Dump" valued at 15 Pence.

Prompted by the discovery of gold, the Sydney Mint opened on 14th of May, 1855, as a branch of the Royal Mint. The opening of the Sydney Mint resulted in a reduction of the amount of gold being exported and an increase in the gold coins in circulation in Australia.

Since Australia did not exist as a country until 1901, the only official coins in Australia prior to 1910, were British Coins.

There are gold One Sovereign and Half-Sovereign coins dated from 1853 to 1866 with AUSTRALIA and SYDNEY MINT on them.

By the early 1870's, the Melbourne, Perth and Sydney Mints were producing gold coins for Britain.

There were Trade Tokens minted for various businesses as early as 1852, probably much earlier, but these were not official currency, and could only be used at the business of the issuer.

The first Australian Coins to be minted in Australia after Federation were the Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling and Florin all minted at the Melbourne Mint in 1916.

Answer 2

What is considered to be the "first" Australian coin is open to interpretation as to when Australia became Australia.

The first "Australian" coins were minted well after Federation in 1910 and included the sterling silver Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling and Florin. These were followed in 1911 by the bronze Penny and Halfpenny coins.

During the late 19th century to 1931, British gold Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns were minted at the Melbourne, Perth and Sydney Mints, the reason being that it was cheaper and safer to mint the gold coins where the gold was mined from rather than send the gold back to England and then return the minted coins to Australia. All of these coins were minted to the British pattern and cannot really be considered Australian coins.

From 1853 to 1870, gold Sovereigns were minted at the Sydney Mint with the words SYDNEY MINT and AUSTRALIA on them. These coins were minted for the Colony of New South Wales, and later, the Colony of Victoria, as distinct from Australia.

In 1813, currency in the Australian Colonies was in critical short supply. Governor Lachlan Macquarie acquired about 40,000 Spanish Dollars and punched the centre out of them. These became the "Holey Dollar"and "Dump" valued at Five Shillings and 15 Pence respectively. Although they were Spanish coins, they were the first coins to be produced for use solely in the Australian Colonies.

At all times from the landing of the First Fleet until 1910, the British currency was the legal circulating currency in Australia.

There are too many coins to show, but check the link below for Australia's predecimal coins first issued in 1910.

Answer 3

Australian decimal coins struck since 1966 incluide the 1 and 2 cent coins, both of which have been withdrawn from circulation.

The 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, and the 1 and 2 Dollar coins are all circulating legal tender coins in Australia.

Answer 4

Australias first coins were issued in 1910 and included the Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling and Florin (Two Shillings). These coins were all made from sterling silver.

The first Penny and the Halfpenny were issued the following year in 1911. These coins were made from bronze.

These coins were all modelled on the British equivalent.

Prior to Australia having its own currency, British coins were used.

Answer 5

The first Australian bank notes were printed in England.