What animals are on Australian coins?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

The 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

Answer 3

Standard, 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)

Answer 4

The 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.

Answer 5

The 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.

Answer 6

The 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:

Answer 7

Australia discontinued its one-cent coin in 1990. It featured the feathertail glider.

Answer 8

Frill Neck Lizard