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Prior to Federation in 1901, the Australian Colonies used the British currency. Even after Federation we did not manage to have our own currency until 1910 and then, it was modelled on the British currency, made in London, and it was late, not turning up until 1911. Pounds, Shillings and Pence. 12 Pennies in a Shilling, 20 Shillings in a Pound.
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 reflect Australia. The Dollar was chosen as the unit of currency and there would be 100 cents in the dollar.
The designer of the coins was Stuart Devlin, and to reflect Australia he chose various indigenous animals.
- 1 cent = Feather Tailed Glider
- 2 cent = Frill Neck Lizard
- 5 cent = Echidna
- 10 cent = Lyre Bird
- 20 cent = Platypus
- 50 cent = Australian Coat of Arms inc. kangaroo and emu
Decimal currency was introduced in Australia on the 14th of February,1966.
The 1 and 2 cent coins (now discontinued) were composed of 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin and were coppery in appearance. The 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel and are silvery in appearance.
The initial notes (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20) were paper with a metallic thread running through them and all had Australian designs featuring Australian historical identities and were all very distinctive in appearance.
The 1 and 2 Dollar notes were replaced by coins during the 1980's. The 1 and 2 Dollar coins are composed of 92% copper, 6% aluminum and 2% nickel and are gold in appearance.
All paper notes have now been replaced by polymer equivalents. This is because polymer notes are cheaper to make (they use recycled plastics) and, they are harder to counterfeit. They also include holographic windows in them.
We now have colourful 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Dollar notes with Australian identities staring out at us.
See the links below.
What else can I help you with?
What does a 2011 Australian 1 cent coin look like?
Such a coin does not exist. The last Australian 1 cent coins were issued for circulation in 1990. They were progressively withdrawn from circulation in 1992.
What does an Australian 50 cent coin look like?
Other than the 1966 coin, the only round 50 cent coin ever issued, the Australian 50 cent coin is a cupro/nickel dodecagonal (12 sided) coin of silvery appearance and is often used as a commemorative.See the link below.
What did the Australian prisoner look like?
Australian.
What does the Australian Alps look like?
The Australian Alps look snowy and beautiful from a distance
Who is on the Australian 20 cent coin?
on the Australian 20 cent coin it the platypus
Is the Australian 10 cent coin smaller than the Australian 20 cent coin?
Yes, the 10 cent coin is smaller. The Australian 10 cent coin is 23.60 mm in diameter. The Australian 20 cent coin is 28.52 mm in diameter.
What picture does a Australian 5 cent coin have?
The Australian 5 cent coin has an echidna on it?
What is the value of a 1934 Australian one cent coin?
Such a coin does not exist. The Australian 1 cent coin was first issued in 1966. The Australian One Penny coin was issued from 1911 to 1964 inclusive.
What does a 1817-1825 coin look like?
That depends on which coin, from where.
What is the value of a 1977 Australian Dollar coin?
The first Australian Dollar coin was issued in 1984.
When was Australian twenty-cent coin created?
Australian twenty-cent coin was created in 1966.
When was Australian one-dollar coin created?
Australian one-dollar coin was created in 1984.
