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Guardian® bank notes

 
 
Australia
 
              

              

 

 

Country overview

 

 

Commonwealth of Australia

Capital Canberra
Population (millions) 20.1
Area (sq km) 7,686,850
GDP per capita (USD PPP) 30,700

 

 

Polymer overview

 

 

Country ranking 1st (1st) All varieties 119
Year of the first polymer issue 1988 Proof 9
Number of polymer issues 8 Specimen 7
Current status Polymer (1996) Regular 104
New polymer issues expected? Yes Replacement 0

 

 

General information

 

 

 

Australia is the first country in the world to fully convert to polymer bank notes. As of 15.05.96, all denominations of Australian currency in circulation were polymer (paper banknotes still circulated and were being withdrawn).

 

Important changes to the design of regular issue notes (S3 to S7) have been made in 2002: (1) full names of the persons depicted on the notes have been added; (2) Governor's signature has been moved above the Secretary to the Treasury's signature; (3) signature changed to Macfarlane-Henry.

 

 

 

 

Reserve Bank of Australia

 

 

 

 

Where more notes are listed under the same reference/price, price is given for the most common variety—special, first, and last prefixes usually command a premium, as do folders, uncut notes, etc.

 

For up-to-date prices of Australian collectors' issues refer to specialised dealers or catalogues of Australian bank notes, such as McDonalds.

 

 

 

 

Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia Secretary to the Treasury

Robert A. Johnston
(14.08.82 to 17.07.89)

Bernie W. Fraser
(17.09.94 to 17.09.89)

Bernie W. Fraser
(18.09.89 to 17.09.96)

Anthony Cole
(14.02.91 to 23.03.93)

Edward Evans
(10.05.93 to 16.04.01)

Ian J. Macfarlane
(18.09.96 to 17.09.06)

Ken R. Henry
(27.04.01 to date)
Glenn Stevens
(18.09.06 to date)
 

   

 

 

Introduction to the Australian collectors' issues

 

A large number of collectors' issues has been produced by NPA and the RBA, and it is nearly impossible to list all issues comprehensively. Different reference works assume different approaches to the listing of Australian collectors' issues. Owing to the complexity and diversity of collectors' issues, all of them fail to produce a comprehensive and easy-to-understand reference.

 

This web site provides a complete overview of all Australian polymer bank note issues, their varieties and sub-varieties. Straus reference explains how we assign reference numbers. The kind of listing and assigning reference numbers that is employed here has a drawback of breaking the folders or sets of notes of different denominationsthis is a risk consciously taken. Most of the other reference works on Australian bank notes list the folders and sets grouped together and you have a choice of both approaches.

 

Click on the icon (opens a new window) to access additional information about specific bank note varieties and sub-varieties. As a helpful feature, all collectors' issues are marked by a pale orange background colour in the charts. When a certain variety of a bank note has been issued as a regular circulating note and as a collectors' issue (without any significant differences between the two, except for, perhaps, serial number prefix or range), normal white background is retained (as is with proof and specimen notes).

 

 

 

 

A total of seven specimen notes exist for Australia S1 to S7. S7S1 was the last specimen note produced (in 1996) and no specimen notes have been printed subsequently.

 

 

 

 

Reserve Bank of Australia Annual reports: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.

 

Numbering Australia's notes

By the Reserve Bank of Australia (2006).

 

The Australian currency

A document by the Australian Government / DFAT (2004).

 

Polymer bank notes—beyond the issuance phase

By Dr Bob Rankin and Elaine Kerrison, RBA (2005).

 

Designers of bank notes

 

Bank note Designer
S1 Harry Williamson
S2 Bruce Stewart
S3 Bruce Stewart
S4 Max Robinson
S5 Garry Emery
S6 Brian Sadgrove
S7 Bruce Stewart
S8 Garry Emery

 

See also Early designs of Australian bank notes.

 

 

Bank notes

 

COUNTRY S CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Australia 1 Dollar 10 155x77.5 P49 NPA Guardian®

S DATE_1 DATE_2 SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PRICE PICS
1S1 26 JANUARY 1988 not given Johnston-Fraser AA 00 000 000 no data not given F  B
1R1 none 1988 Johnston-Fraser withdrawn regular issue no data €34.00 F  B
1R2 none 1988 Johnston-Fraser regular issue no data €19.00
F  B
1R3 26 January 1988 1988 Johnston-Fraser blue ovpt 26 January 1988 no data €20.50
F  B
 

 

S1R1 has been issued on 27.01.88, but the issue ceased within days as the Cook's image (OVD) was found to be easily removed. The clear window on this note has a dull, flat appearance, with a thin, smooth varnish over the OVD, which rapidly rubbed off when used. S1R2 has been issued in October 1988, after the problem had been identified. The clear window on this note has a shiny, mottled appearance.

 

A total of 31,200,000 of S1R1 and S1R2 notes have been issued (some sources suggest only 17,500,000 notes issued).

 

Australia S1 is the first plastic bank note printed by NPA and the first plastic bank note with a clear window.

 

 

Australia, 10 Dollars, issued in 1988. This is the first circulating polymer bank note with a clear window in the world. Issued to commemorate the 200 years of Australian settlement. Front: The ship Supply and a medley of people against a background of Sydney Cove. The Supply and its ten sister ships of the First Fleet left Portsmouth, England in May 1787, establishing a settlement at Sydney Cove in January 1788. Back: A portrayal of an Aboriginal youth wearing body painting, and a Morning Star Pole, an example of poles used by the Aboriginal people of north-east Arnhem Land on ceremonial occasions. Aboriginal paintings in background.

 

The currency note in this folder is of entirely new style. It was produced by the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia at Craigieburn, Victoria, as a special Commemorative Issue. The note is the first of its kind in the world, in that it is printed on polymer (plastic) incorporating technology devised and developed in Australia. Notes from the limited first print run (of which this is one) bear the prefix AA and are imprinted “26 January 1988”. These features will distinguish them from subsequent prints of the note.

 

The technology embodied in the note represents the culmination of many years of joint research and development by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. This work has involved design, manufacture and incorporation in the note of a sophisticated optically variable device (OVD), to deter counterfeiting. The OVD, a portrait of Captain Cook, is visible from either side of the note. It diffracts light, producing a varying rainbow pattern when the viewing angle is changed. A clear portrait, and the rainbow pattern, are important security aspects of the new note. To allow the use of an OVD, a special polymer substrate was developed to replace the traditional currency note paper. The polymer, after treatment, performs comparably to paper in the printing processes. This permits the inclusion of traditional anti-counterfeiting devices based on the note printer’s skills. For instance, the intaglio printing used on the major features produces a distinct raised effect where the ink has been deposited; offset print, used for background patterns on the note, is applied to both sides at the same time, so that they are in perfect registration with each other. The watermark, usual in paper notes, has given way to the OVD. The note’s designer is Mr Harry Williamson, the designer of Australia’s current $100 note, aided by the staff tat he Bank’s Note Printing Branch. The theme of the design is settlement.

 

One side of the note related to Australia’s original inhabitants. It brings together some elements of Aboriginal culture—ancient rock painting and hand stencils, a portrayal of an Aboriginal youth wearing body painting, and a Morning Star Pole. The Pole is the work of the Aboriginal artist, Yumbulul and is an example of poles used by the Aboriginal people of north-east Arnhem Land on certain ceremonial occasions. Some original works commissioned by the Bank from Aboriginal artists have been used to create background patterns.

 

The other side of the note shows the ship “Supply” and a medley of people against a background of Sydney Cove. The “Supply” and its ten sister ships of the First Fleet left Portsmouth, England, for Botany Bay on 13 May 1787. All the fleet arrived at Botany Bay by 20 January 1788 but it was regarded as unsuitable for a settlement. Six days later a settlement was established at Sydney Cove. The representation of Sydney Cove is based on an engraving of a sketch by John Hunter, an officer of the First Fleet’s flagship, “Sirius”, and later Governor of New South Wales.

The Commemorative Note will be printed and issued only during 1988.

 

COUNTRY S CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Australia 2 Dollar 5 130x65 P50, PCS50 NPA Guardian®

S DATE_1 DATE_2 SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PRICE PICS
2P1 none not given Fraser-Cole AA 00 000 000 40 €1,200.00 F  B
2S1 none not given Fraser-Cole AA 00 000 000 no data not given F  B
2R1 none 1992 Fraser-Cole no data €19.00
F  B
2R2 7 July 1992 1992 Fraser-Cole purple ovpt 7 July 1992 no data no data F  B
2R3 93 1993 Fraser-Evans no data €18.50 F  B
2R4 93 1993 Fraser-Evans black ovpt First issued 7 July 1992 no data no data F  B
2R5 93 1993 Fraser-Evans red ovpt First issued 7 July 1992 no data no data F  B
2R6 94 1994 Fraser-Evans no data no data F  B
2R7 94 1994 Fraser-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B

 

 

Issued on 07.07.92.

 

 

Black and green serial numbers

 

Some of the S2 notes issued in 1992 have green serial numbers (normal serial number colour is black). There are several shades of green, from the very dark green (referred to as 'dark green' by Australian specialists) to the more apparent light green (referred to as 'light green' by Australian specialists). A common designation 'green serial number' is used on this web site. Thera are also different shades of black / grey. The picture at left shows the (dark) black (top section) and the (light) green variety (bottom section). Refer to Error notes.

 

 

An uncut sheet of 40 S2P1 notes (all with the AA 00 000 000 serial number) has been auctioned in 1993. The sheet sold for AUD30,000 and has been cut up.

 

 

Australia, 5 Dollars, issued in 1992. The original 5 Dollars note in grey colour. Stylised gum flower in the clear window. Front: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State of the Commonwealth of Australia at centre right. Eucalyptus leaves (Scribbly gum) at left. Back: The old and the new Parliament Houses in Canberra. The patterns of the new house reflect the entrance to the ministerial wing, skylight for the Members Hall and the skylight for the Main Committee room. The Australian Federal Parliament consists of the Queen (depicted on the front of the note), a Senate, and a House of Representatives.

 

Front. Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen's portrait is based on photographs commissioned by the Bank in 1984. The Queen gave approval to the use of this portrait on an Australian note in 1988. Eucalyptus Leaves; the designer's interpretation of Eucalyptus leaves was mainly based on the species Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma). The image within the transparent area is a stylised representation of a gum flower.

 

Back. Parliament House. The depictions of the Old and new Parliament Houses are based on the designer's interpretation of various architectural drawings and photographs. The Old Parliament House was opened in 1927 and the New Parliament House was opened in 1988. Landscape Plan for New Parliament House: based on the Design Development Landscape Plan for the New Parliament House which was provided by the Parliament House Construction Authority. Geometric Patterns: based on architectural features of the New Parliament House. The patterns reflect the entrance to the ministerial wing, skylight for the Members Hall and the skylight for the Main Committee room.

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II

 

COUNTRY S CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Australia 3 Dollar 5 130x65 P51, P57 NPA Guardian®

S DATE_1 DATE_2 SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PRICE PICS
3P1 97 not given Macfarlane-Evans . 40 €1,200.00 F  B
3P2 02 not given Macfarlane-Henry . no data €1,200.00 F  B
3S1 95 not given Fraser-Evans AA 95 000 000 no data not given F  B
3R1 95 no data Fraser-Evans wide hatching in orientation bands no data €11.00 F  B
3R2 95 no data Fraser-Evans fine/narrow hatching in orientation bands no data €17.00 F  B
3R3 95 no data Fraser-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B
3R4 95
24 APRIL 1995
no data Fraser-Evans black ovpt First issued 24 April 1995 no data no data F  B
3R5 95
24 APRIL 1995
no data Fraser-Evans red ovpt First issued 24 April 1995 no data no data F  B
3R6 95 no data Fraser-Evans red s/n; ovpt no data no data F  B
3R7 96 no data Fraser-Evans no data €7.00 F  B
3R8 96 no data Fraser-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B
3R9 96 no data Fraser-Evans black ovpt First issued 1992 no data no data F  B
3R10 96 no data Macfarlane-Evans no data €8.00 F  B
3R11 96 no data Macfarlane-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B
3R12 97 no data Macfarlane-Evans no data €7.00 F  B
3R13 97 no data Macfarlane-Evans test note est. 300,000 €22.00 F  B
3R14 97 no data Macfarlane-Evans red s/n no data €14.00 F  B
3R15 98 no data Macfarlane-Evans no data €5.50 F  B
3R16 98 no data Macfarlane-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B
3R17 99 no data Macfarlane-Evans no data no data F  B
3R18 99 no data Macfarlane-Evans red s/n no data no data F  B
3R19 02 2003 Macfarlane-Henry no data €5.50 F  B
3R20 03 no data Macfarlane-Henry 18,000,000 €5.50
F  B
3R21 05 2005 Macfarlane-Henry no data €5.50 F  B
3R22 06 no data Macfarlane-Henry . no data €5.50
F  B

 

 

Issued on 24.04.95.

 

 

Orientation bands

 

Originally, about seven lines were included in the orientation bands for 1995 Fraser-Evans $5 notesthis variety is commonly referred to as fine or narrow hatching in orientation bands (picture bottom section). Subsequently, when new printing plates were made (after a number of existing printing plates were damaged), a variety occured with about four lines in the orientation bandsnow referred to as wide hatching in orientation bands (picture top section). The former variety (fine or narrow hatching) is found in about 13,000,000 notes (prefixes HC 95 to KC 95 only) out of a total of 95,000,000 $5 notes printed in 1995.

 

Sheet layout for S3R13
AN 97 AV 97 BQ 97 BY 97 CT 97
AO 97 AW 97 BR 97 BZ 97 CU 97
AP 97 AX 97 BS 97 CN 97 CV 97
AQ 97 AY 97 BT 97 CO 97 CW 97
AR 97 AZ 97 BU 97 CP 97 CX 97
AS 97 BN 97 BV 97 CQ 97 CY 97
AT 97 BO 97 BW 97 CR 97 CZ 97
AU 97 BP 97 BX 97 CS 97 DN 97

Test notes (S3R13)

 

In 1997, the RBA made a special print run of $5 Fraser-Evans notes to test a minor modification to one of the materials used in the opacifying inks. The test was successful and the RBA decided to put the notes into general circulation. Some 300,000 such notes were released into the circulation with prefixes running from AN 97 to DN 97, and with the serial number range from 999999 to 990229, meaning there are only around 7,500 notes for each prefix. The previously accepted prefix range for this issue was BA 97 to HB 97, with M as the highest letter used as the second letter of the prefix—letter A as the first prefix letter has not been used for regular issue $5 notes since 1995. Similar test issue has been produced in 1996 for $100 Fraser-Evans notes.

 

 

 

Australia, 5 Dollars, issued in 1995. The re-coloured 5 Dollars note in violet colour. Stylised gum flower in the clear window. Front: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State of the Commonwealth of Australia at centre right. Eucalyptus leaves (Scribbly gum) at left. Back: The old and the new Parliament Houses in Canberra. The patterns of the new house reflect the entrance to the ministerial wing, skylight for the Members Hall and the skylight for the Main Committee room. The Australian Federal Parliament consists of the Queen (depicted on the front of the note), a Senate, and a House of Representatives.

 

Front. Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen's portrait is based on photographs commissioned by the Bank in 1984. The Queen gave approval to the use of this portrait on an Australian note in 1988. Eucalyptus Leaves; the designer's interpretation of Eucalyptus leaves was mainly based on the species Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma). The image within the transparent area is a stylised representation of a gum flower.

 

Back. Parliament House. The depictions of the Old and new Parliament Houses are based on the designer's interpretation of various architectural drawings and photographs. The Old Parliament House was opened in 1927 and the New Parliament House was opened in 1988. Landscape Plan for New Parliament House: based on the Design Development Landscape Plan for the New Parliament House which was provided by the Parliament House Construction Authority. Geometric Patterns: based on architectural features of the New Parliament House. The patterns reflect the entrance to the ministerial wing, skylight for the Members Hall and the skylight for the Main Committee room.

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II

 .

COUNTRY S CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Australia 4 Dollar 10 137x65 P52, P58 NPA Guardian®

S DATE_1 DATE_2 SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PRICE PICS
4P1 93 not given Fraser-Evans AA 93 000 000 to DF 93 000 000 45 €1,200.00 F  B
4P2 02 not given Macfarlane-Henry AA 02 000 000 to DF 02 000 000 no data €1,200.00 B
4S1 93 not given Fraser-Evans AA 93 000 000 no data not given F  B