The origin of the “$” sign can be traced back to the reverse design of the Spanish Eight Reales. This coin was widely used by many countries during the late 18th and 19th centuries. It was used in Australia by Governor Macquarie in 1813 to make the famous “Holey dollar” and “Dump”. The reverse design of the eight Reales shows two columns with an intertwining ribbon which are also known as "Pillars of Hercules with a snake". It is this design and the fact that the coin was often known as the “Spanish dollar”, that is thought to have inspired the familiar $ symbol.
The 1930 penny. Only six proof versions of the 1930 penny are known to exist: three in private hands, one in the Museum of Victoria, the National Gallery of South Australia and the British Museum. In 1998, a privately owned 1930 penny was sold for $225,000.
The quantity of circulating coins is determined by the Royal Australian Mint in collaboration with the commercial banks, based on a number of factors including expected levels of economic activity.
To see a listing of the number of pieces of particular currency produced in various years visit our Circulating Coin Designs pages.
The preferred name for Australian currency, dollar, was approved in 1963. Other names considered by the Government of the time were royal, merino and austral.
At the time of Federation Australia used British coins. The first Australian coins were produced in 1910 (silver) and 1911 (bronze). But, in 1901 the following denominations were considered legal tender:
Coins:
- Farthing (quarter penny)
- Halfpenny
- Penny (used for ‘two up’)
- Threepence
- Sixpence
- Shilling
- Florin (or, two shillings)
- Half crown
- Crown (or, five shillings)
- Half sovereign (or, half a pound)
- Full sovereign (or, one pound)
Notes:
- 10 shillings
- 1 pound
- 5 pounds
- 10 pounds
On 14 February 1966.
1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c (all designed by Stuart Devlin). The Decimal Change Over Song lyrics are:
Decimal Change Over Song
In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared for change when the coins begin to mix
On the fourteenth of February 1966.
Chorus:
Clink go the coins, clink, clink, clink
Change over day is closer than you think
Learn the value of the coins and the way that they appear
And things will be much smoother when the decimal point is here.
In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix
On the fourteenth of February 1966.
Lyrics written by Ted Roberts
1984
1988
The last circulating one cent coins were dated 1990 and the last circulating two cent coins were dated 1989. They were progressively removed from circulation starting in 1992.
Yes, 1c and 2c pieces are still Australian legal tender, but they are not considered as ‘currency’ (or, money that is officially released for circulation). This means that you can take your old 1c and 2c coins to the bank and exchange them for currency totalling the same face value.
Yes, all coins (including collector coins) currently produced by the Mint are Australian legal tender. Collector coins may be used to purchase goods and services to the value stated on the coin (or ‘face value’), or can be exchanged at a bank for regular circulating currency to the same face value. The Mint does not exchange collector coins for circulating coins.
The Holey Dollar and Dump are the only Australian coins which have had their ‘legal tender’ status removed, or been ‘demonetised’.
Some coins which are no longer in circulation, such as Australia’s pre-decimal coins and the 1 and 2 cent coin are still ‘legal tender.’
Yes. The Currency Act stipulates the rules outlined in this table.
For more information, please also refer to the Currency Act on the ComLaw website.
| Denomination | Quantity |
| 1c & 2c | Maximum of 20 cents |
| 5c, 10c, 20c & 50c | Maximum of $5 |
| $1, $2, $5 & $10 | Not exceeding ten times the face value, inclusive ie a maximum of $100 for $10 notes (10 x $10) |
| Any other denomination | To any value |
An image of the reigning monarch. You'll find many coins in circulation with the effigy of the Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II whose latest portrait was designed by Jody Clark. Currently, coins are being released into circulation with the effigy of His Majesty, King Charles III, designed by Daniel Thorne.
You can find more information about the effigies on our coins here.
For more information on the Change of Sovereign, read more here
Since The Queen’s coronation in 1953 six effigies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have appeared on Australian coin obverses. Previous effigies were designed by Mary Gillick (1953), Arnold Machin (1966), Raphael Maklouf (1985), and the current effigy by Ian Rank-Broadley (1998). During 2000, Royal Australian Mint designer Vladimir Gottwald’s effigy was used on the 50c Royal Visit coin only. In September 2018, the sixth effigy to appear on Australian currency was unveiled. The design by Jody Clark has begun its transition onto Australian coinage in 2019 and will continue into 2020. Coins carrying previous portraits of The Queen will remain in circulation.
Please read our policy for copyright
If you want to use designs on banknotes, please refer to the Reserve Bank of Australia website for regulations pertaining to notes.
No. Numismatic (or collector) coins make great gifts and mementoes, often commemorating important events and other issues of interest to the general public.