Who appears on back of Australian coins?

Answer 1

Design features of Australian banknotes.

Queen Elizabeth II (titular head of state) was on the front of the now withdrawn One Dollar note (1966-1982). There was Aboriginal art on the reverse.

John Macarthur (pioneer sheep breeder) was on the front of the now withdrawn Two Dollar note (1966-1985). William Farrer (pioneer wheat breeder) was on the reverse.

Sir Joseph Banks (botanist and President of the Royal Society) was on the front of the now withdrawn paper Five Dollar note (1967-1991). Caroline Chisholm (philanthropist) was on the reverse.

Queen Elizabeth II (titular head of state) is on the front of the new polymer Five Dollar note (1992-present). The old and new Parliament Houses are on the reverse.

Sir Henry Parkes (politician and Father of Federation) is on the front of the new polymer commemorative Five Dollar note (2001). Catherine Helen Spence (journalist, social reformer, suffragette and novelist) is on the reverse.

Francis Howard Greenway (ex-convict and architect) was on the front of the now withdrawn paper Ten Dollar note (1966-1991). Henry Lawson (writer and poet) was on the reverse.

The ship "Supply" in Sydney Cove was on the front of the experimental Bicentennial polymer Ten Dollar note (1988). There was an Aboriginal design on the reverse.

Andrew Barton (Banjo) Patterson (balladist and journalist) is on the front of the new polymer Ten Dollar note (1993-present). Dame Mary Gilmore (poet & human rights campaigner) is on the reverse.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (aviator) was on the front of the now withdrawn paper Twenty Dollar note (1966-1993). Lawrence Hargrave (aeronatical pioneer) was on the reverse.

Mary Reibey (ex-convict & pioneer business woman) is on the front of the new polymer Twenty Dollar note (1994-present). Rev John Flynn (pioneer of world's first aerial medical service) is on the reverse.

Lord Howard Walter Florey (pathologist) was on the front of the now withdrawn paper Fifty Dollar note (1973-1993). Sir Ian Clunies Ross (Veterinary scientist) was on the reverse.

David Unaipon (Inventor, preacher & author) is on the front of the new polymer Fifty Dollar note (1995-present). Dame Edith Cowan (Social worker, politician & feminist) is on the reverse.

Sir Douglas Mawson (Antarctic Explorer and Professor of Geology) was on the front of the now withdrawn paper One Hundred Dollar note (1984-1992). John Tebbutt (Astronomer) was on the reverse.

Dame Nellie Melba (Opera singer) is on the front of the new polymer One Hundred Dollar note (1996-present). Sir John Monash (WW1 General) is on the reverse.

See the link below to the Reserve Bank of Australia for more detail on current Australian banknotes.

Answer 2

There were 2 series since decimalisation in 1966.

The Paper series $1 - Queen Elizabeth II & Aboriginal artwork (by David Malangi)

$2 - John Macarthur & William Farrer

$5 - Sir Joseph Banks & Caroline Chisholm

$10 - Francis Greenway & Henry Lawson

$20 - Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith & Lawrence Hargrave

$50 - Lord Howard Walter Florey & Sir Ian Clunies Ross

$100 - Sir Douglas Mawson & John Tebbutt The Polymer Series $5 - Queen Elizabeth II & New and Old Parliament Houses

$5 - (2001 only) Sir Henry Parkes & Catherine Helen Spence

$10 - (polymer trial 1988) Ship "Supply" in Sydney Cove & Aboriginal art

$10 - Andrew Barton Banjo Paterson & Dame Mary Gilmore

$20 - Mary Reibey & Reverend John Flynn

$50 - David Unaipon & Edith Cowan

$100 - Dame Nellie Melba & General Sir John Monash

Answer 3

The reigning Monarch is on the obverse of all Australian Coins. It has been Queen Elizabeth II from 1953 to present day (2011).

Answer 4

Nobody usually appears on the back of Australian coins.

Since 1953, Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on the front of all Australian coins.