The first polymer banknotes where produced by the reserve bank of Australia, with the first issue being in 1992.
An earlier, unsuccessful, plastic note produced using Tyvek entered limited circulation in Costa Rica in 1982.
Traditional banknotes are printed on cotton paper, which can be torn, creased and destroyed by washing. Polymer banknotes are made from a type of polypropylene plastic which is very durable.
Plastic banknotes were invented in Australia by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the CSIRO.
Australia pioneered the production of polymer (or plastic) banknotes to replace the relatively expensive to produce and not very durable paper banknotes. Australia completed the transition to polymer banknotes in 1996 and all paper notes were withdrawn from circulation. See the link below.
New Zealand changed over to polymer banknotes in 1999 and 2000. Polymer technology allows many features not previously possible with paper banknotes. See the link below to Reserve Bank of New Zealand site for more detail.
South African banknotes are made from a polymer material rather than traditional paper. This polymer is durable, resistant to wear and tear, and allows for enhanced security features. The use of polymer also makes the banknotes more environmentally friendly, as they can be recycled.
in the 600s A.D.
Australia was the first country to introduce plastic money in the form of polymer banknotes in 1988. These banknotes were made of a durable, long-lasting, and difficult-to-counterfeit polymer material.
The Reserve Bank of Australia advises that the thickness of 1,000 Australian One Hundred Dollar polymer banknotes is 140.8 mm plus or minus 5%. Therefore 100 One Hundred Dollar polymer banknotes would be 14.08 mm plus or minus 5%. The 5% allowance is for wear and tear on circulating banknotes.
Australian banknotes are all made of plastic, specifically polymer. Australia was the first country in the world to have all its banknotes made of polymer. The composition of the 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins is 25% nickel and 75% copper. The $1 and $2 coins are composed of 92 % copper, 6 % aluminum and 2 % nickel.
Most paper banknotes (including US$) are printed on cotton paper.Australian notes are a polypropylene polymer.
1988 by prof. david soloman
Carrying around gold and silver was to heavy.