Guide to the Specimen Australian banknotes
MS 4820
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: May 2016
Collection Summary
- Title
- Specimen Australian banknotes
- Date Range
- 1914 - 1996
- Collection Number
- MS 4820
- Extent
- 0.07 metres (one security binder)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- NLA
- Sponsor
- The digitisation of the Library’s Currency Collection was made possible by the generous financial support of donors to the Banknotes and Currency Preservation Appeal (2015). The Library gratefully acknowledges this support.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Specimen Australian banknotes issued by the Commonwealth of Australia Treasury or the Reserve Bank of Australia. They comprised 25 pre-decimal notes and 19 decimal notes and associated covers.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2864385).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Related Materials
Four notes originally held in MS 4820 have been removed and re-accessioned as MS 10145 - Early Commonwealth currency, 1910-1913.
References
References used in the creation of this finding aid include:
Pocketbook guide to Australian coins and banknotes by Greg McDonald, twenty-second edition, 2015 and Renniks Australian coin and banknote values, edited by Michael T. Pitt, twenty-sixth edition, 2015.
Item Descriptions
One hundred pound note, 1914 (Item 1)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: one hundred pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Australian Note Printer
Serial number: Z 091313, medium black serifs
Signature/s: Jas R Collins, Assistant Secretary/Geo. T Allen, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms at left, small crown at right; back - oval vignette Upper Yarra River, Vic, on left and oval vignette Lower Leura Falls, NSW, on right
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 168x102 mm; blue and yellow
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #95; Renniks #R68b
Additional information
The ‘Collins/Allen’ signature combination is arguably the most important in Australian bank note history.
One thousand pound note, 1914 (Item 2)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: one thousand pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Australian Note Printer
Serial number: 2A 048010 (2A in blue)
Signature/s: Jas R Collins, Assistant Secretary/Geo. T Allen, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms at centre base; back - flock of merino sheep, Bungaree, SA, 1906
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 215x143 mm; light blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #98; Renniks #R70a
Ten shilling (half sovereign) note, 1918 (Item 3)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: ten shillings
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: T S Harrison, Australian Note Printer
Serial number: N 415108 Z
Signature/s: Charles J Cerutty, Assistant Secretary/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in left oval HALF SOVEREIGN in red around borders; back - Goulburn Weir, Nagambie, Vic, built 1887-1891
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 197x88 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #10b; Renniks #R03b
Additional information
The words 'half sovereign' were included on the note to make it clear that the value equated to the familiar half sovereign coin it replaced.
Five pound note, 1918 (Item 4)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: five pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: T S Harrison, Australian Note Printer
Serial number: U 124208 H
Signature/s: Charles J Cerutty, Assistant Secretary/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms at left, '5' in corners; back - oval vignette of Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn, NSW , '5' in corners
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 167x105 mm; dark blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #57; Renniks #R37b
Ten pound note, 1918 (Item 5)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: ten pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: T S Harrison, Australian Note Printer
Serial number: 592509 W
Signatures: Charles J Cerutty, Assistant Secretary/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - Coat of arms at lower centre, '10' in corners; back - carting wheat, Narwonah, NSW (engraving based on a 1909 photo)
Physical description: dimensions - 165x102 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #76 Renniks #R52c
Twenty pound note, 1918 (Item 6)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: twenty pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: T S Harrison, Australian Note Printer
Serial number: X 121409 (small seriffed)Signature/s: Charles J Cerutty, Assistant Secretary/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms at left, '20' in corners, 'twenty' in red shadow centre; back - timber cutting, Bruny Island, TAS (engraving from photo by JW Beattie)
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 165x98 mm; dark blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #88; Renniks #R65a
Fifty pound note, 1918 (Item 7)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: fifty pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: T S Harrison, Australian Note Printer
Serial number: Y 146510 (small seriffed)
Signature/s: Charles J Cerutty, Assistant Secretary/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in oval, top centre, '50' in corners; back - flock of merino sheep, Bungaree, SA, 1906
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 166x102 mm; blue and pink
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #91; Renniks #R67a
Additional information
Wool represented 40 percent of exports at the turn of 20th century.
Half sovereign (ten shilling) note, 1923 (Item 8)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: ten shillings (half sovereign) sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: A/15 614415
Signature/s: Denison Miller, Chairman of Directors/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: overprinted with diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED', two large puncture holes on left
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in oval left, portrait of King George V in oval right, '1/2' in corners denoting half pound, 'HALF SOVEREIGN' in red, top and side borders; back - Goulburn Weir, Nagambie, Vic, built 1887-1891
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 180x78 mm; brown
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #11; Renniks #R04
Additional information
The plates for the 10 shilling and £1 notes were engraved before the sudden death of Sir Denison Miller in June 1923, so that only those notes bore his signature. Known as the 'Harrison issue' because it was designed by Australian Note Printer, TS Harrison.
Watermarks were introduced for the first time.
One pound note, 1923-1925 (Item 9)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: one pound sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Australian Note Printer
Serial number: H/36 823014
Signature/s: Denison Miller, Chairman of Directors/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED', two large puncture holes on left
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in oval left, portrait of King George V in oval right, '1' in corners; back - landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 180x78 mm; light green
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #38; Renniks #R23b
Additional information
Treasury altered the design by removing the ‘TS Harrison’ imprint but did not inform the public, causing alarm and panic, with many people refusing to accept the notes, believing they weren't 'kosher'.
Five pound note, 1924 (Item 10)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: five pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: Q/2 783815
Signature/s: James Kell, Chairman of Directors, Note Issue Department/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners and inverted large pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in oval left, portrait of King George V in oval right, '5' in corners, basket weave watermark around border and word' five' in centre; back - oval vignette of Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn, NSW
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 180x78 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #58; Renniks #R38a
Additional information
Designed by TS Harrison and made smaller and narrower to fit six to a sheet instead of four.
Ten pound note, 1925-1927 (Item 11)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: ten pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: U/1 000215
Signature/s: James Kell, Governor*, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Jas R Collins, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED', two large puncture holes on left
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms in oval left, portrait of King George V in oval right, '10' in corners, basket weave watermark around border and word' ten' twice in centre; back - carting wheat, Narwonah, NSW (engraving based on a 1909 photo)
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 180x78 mm; red and buff-yellow
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #77b; Renniks #R54
Additional information
*Title changed from ‘Chairman of Directors’ to ‘Governor’.
Ten shilling note, 1933 (Item 12)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Denomination: ten shillings
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: C/0 000012 (‘C’ over ‘0’ being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: - blank medallion on left, with watermark of Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), portrait of King George V in oval right; back - allegorical engraving of manufacturing industries based on a panel by Paul Montford
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 155x81 mm; brown
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #17a: Renniks #R09F
Additional information
The 1933 series was known as the 'Ash' series after John Ash who succeeded TS Harrison as the Australian Note printer in 1927. Australia left the gold standard in early 1930s so notes no longer carried the Government promise to pay the bearer in gold on demand. Now specified to be legal tender in Commonwealth and its Territories. 'Legal tender' notes.
One pound note, 1933 (Item 13)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: one pound sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: L/0 000001 (‘L ‘over ‘0’ being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: not overprinted or crossed
Illustrative content: front - blank medallion on left, with watermark of Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), portrait of King George V in oval right, impressed oval 'Commonwealth Bank' albino seal; back - allegorical engraving of pastoral industries based on a panel by Paul Montford, stamped '75' and ‘1.Jun.1936' in black ink
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 155x79 mm; dark green
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #44a; Renniks #R28F
Additional information
The 1933 series was known as the 'Ash' series after John Ash who succeeded TS Harrison as the Australian Note printer in 1927. Australia left the gold standard in early 1930s so notes no longer carried the Government promise to pay the bearer in gold on demand. Now specified to be legal tender in Commonwealth and its Territories. 'Legal tender' notes.
Five pound note, 1933-1938 (Item 14)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: five pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: R/0 000019 (‘L’ over ‘0’ being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED' twice
Illustrative content: front - portrait of King George V in oval right, coat of arms in oval at right, watermark in blank circle in bottom centre of Edward, Prince of Wales plus watermark '5' behind each signature; back - allegorical engraving of 'Commerce' based on a bas-relief panel by Paul Montford.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 181x79 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #44a; Renniks #R28F
Additional information
The two types of this note were known as 'Pink Face King' and 'White face King' (this one) due to printing a cross-hatched background on half of the notes making the King's face pink.
Ten shilling note, 1934 (Item 15)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten shillings sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: C/26 282017
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the TreasuryOverprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - blank medallion on left, with watermark of Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), portrait of King George V in oval right, '1/2' in corners denoting half sovereign, imprinted 'TEN SHILLINGS' in scarlet at top and side borders (to emphasise note is 10/- not half a sovereign (in gold) as previous issues; back - allegorical engraving of manufacturing industries based on a panel by Paul Montford.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions – 155x82 mm; brown
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #41a; Renniks #R09F
Ten pound note, 1934-1940 (Item 16)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten shillings sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: V/0 000017 ('V' over '0' being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED' twice
Illustrative content: front - coat of arms to left (changed design), portrait of George V to centre, blank medallion to right with watermark of Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), '£10' in corners; back - allegorical engraving of manufacturing industries based on a panel by Paul Montford.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 181x79 mm; red
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #80a; Renniks #R57F
Ten shilling note, 1936 (Item 17)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten shillings sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: D/0 000001 (‘D’ over ‘0’ being first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Ernest C Riddle, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Harold J Sheehan, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'. Back also stamped in black '27' and '24.MAR.1936'.
Illustrative content: front - blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook on left, portrait of King George V in oval right, '1/2' in corners (for half a pound), albino seal at lower left; back - allegorical engraving of manufacturing industries based on panel by Paul Montford.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 137x78 mm; orange red
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #19a; Renniks #R11F
Additional information
This is the very first note of the first issue. The colour was changed from brown due to the public's difficulty in distinguishing former notes from other denominations. The size was also reduced to match that of Bank of England notes.
One pound note, 1938-1942 (Item 18)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: one pound sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: N/71 372001
Signature/s: Harold J Sheehan, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Stuart G McFarlane, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook on left, portrait of King George V in oval right; back -allegorical engraving of pastoral industries based on panel by Paul Montford, manuscript M1002 in black ink.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 155x79 mm; dark green
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #45a; Renniks #R29F
Ten shilling note, 1939 (Item 19)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten shillings sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: D/98 120001 ('D' over '98' being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Harold J Sheehan, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Stuart G McFarlane, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - blank orange medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook on left, portrait of King George VI in oval right, coat of arms bottom centre, '1/2' in corners (for half a pound), albino seal at lower left; back - allegorical engraving of manufacturing industries based on a panel by Paul Montford, manuscript M1004 in black ink.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 137x76 mm; orange red
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #20a; Renniks #R12F
Additional information
After the death of George V, the design was the same except for the portrait of the King.
Five pound note, 1939-1941 (Item 20)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: five pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: R/20 338001 ('R' over '00' being first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Harold J Sheehan, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Stuart G McFarlane, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED' twice
Illustrative content: front - portrait of King George VI in oval left, blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook bottom centre, '5' in corners; back - allegorical engraving of 'Commerce' based on a bas-relief panel by Paul Montford, faint blue ink stamp 'M1003', '£5' in centre and large 'five’ at right.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 181x79 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #67a; Renniks #R45F
Additional information
First note of this series.
Ten pound note, 1940-1943 (Item 21)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: Legal tender issue
Denomination: ten pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: V/3 076001 ('V' over '3' being first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Harold J Sheehan, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Stuart G McFarlane, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED' twice
Illustrative content: front - portrait of King George VI centre, blank central medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook bottom centre, '£10' in corners; back - allegorical engraving of 'Commerce' based on a bas-relief panel by Paul Montford, manuscript M1002 in [XXXX] ink
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 181x79 mm; red
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #81a; Renniks #R58F
Additional information
First note of this series.
Ten shilling note, 1954-1961 (Item 22)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten shillings sterling
Issuer: : Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: AC/00 000001 ('AC' over '00' being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Matthew Flinders in oval right, blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook at left, '1/2' in corners; back - first Parliament House, Canberra.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 137x76 mm; brown
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #24a; Renniks #R16F
Additional information
First note of this series.
After the death of George VI, new designs focused on Australian historical figures instead of economic progress.
One pound note, 1953-1961 (Item 23)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: one pound sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: HA/00 000002 ('HA' over '00' being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonal black cross to corners on both sides, pin perforated 'CANCELLED'
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in oval right, blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook at left, '£1' in corners; back – four medallions - £1, Charles Sturt, Hamilton Hume, James Cook watermark.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 156x81 mm; green
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #50a; Renniks #R33F
Additional information
First note of this series.
After the death of George VI, new designs focused on Australian historical figures instead of economic progress.
The only pound note in this series which has the monarch's portrait.
Five pound note, 1953-1966 (Item 24)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: five pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: TA/00 000001 ('TA' over '00' being first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Sir John Franklin in oval right, blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook lower centre, '£5' in corners; back - Aboriginal artefacts and primary produce.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 167x79 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #71a; Renniks #R49F
Additional information
First note of this series.
After the death of George VI, new designs focused on Australian historical figures instead of economic progress.
The only pound note in this series which has the monarch's portrait.
Aboriginal culture is represented for the first time.
Ten pound note, 1953-1966 (Item 25)
Issue details
Category: cancelled specimen
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten pounds sterling
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Note Issue Department
Serial number: WA/00 000001 ('WA' over '00' being the first prefix of this issue)
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Governor Phillip in oval left, blank medallion with watermark of Capt. Cook at right, '£10' in corners; back - Science and industry.
Condition: uncirculated
Physical description: dimensions - 181x79 mm; red
Industry catalogue/number: McDonald #85a; Renniks #R62F
Additional information
First note of this series.
Specimen one dollar banknote, 1966-1974 (Item 26)
Issue details
Category: specimen one dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 2
Denomination: one dollar
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: AAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' eight times in red on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - HM Queen Elizabeth II from a photo by Douglas Glass; back - line interpretation of Aboriginal art and original bark painting by David Malangi.
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 140x70 mm; orange and brown on paper
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP06
Additional information
Introduction of decimal currency with this first note of the series.
All new designs and new numbering and notes were made smaller.
Specimen two dollar paper banknote, 1966-1974 (Item 27)
Issue details
Category: specimen two dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 2
Denomination: two dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: FAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' eight times in red on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of John Macarthur, pioneer sheep breeder; back - portrait of William Farrer, pioneer wheat breeder.
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 145x71 mm; green and yellow on paper
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP07
Additional information
First decimal note of this series.
Specimen five dollar paper banknote, 1967-1972 (Item 28)
Issue details
Category: specimen five dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 2
Denomination: five dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: NAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/R J Randall, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' 8 times in red on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait Sir Joseph Banks; back -portrait of Caroline Chisholm and clipper brig 'Waverley'
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 152x76 mm; mauve on paper
Industry catalogue/number Renniks #SP08
Additional information
First decimal note of this series but not issued on changeover to decimal currency in order to facilitate smooth transition.
Two 1967-1972 specimen five dollar paper banknotes mounted in explanatory pamphlet (Item 29)
Issue details
Category: specimen five dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 1
Denomination: five dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: NAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/R J Randall, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red within outline oval on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front – portrait of Sir Joseph Banks; back -portrait of Caroline Chisholm and clipper brig 'Waverley'
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 152x76 mm; mauve on paper
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP03
Specimen ten dollar paper banknote, 1966-1974 (Item 30)
Issue details
Category: specimen ten dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 2
Denomination: ten dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: SAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' 8 times in red on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Francis Howard Greenway; back - portrait of Henry Lawson
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 155x76 mm; blue/orange on paper
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP09
Additional information
A large number of these notes were forged.
Specimen twenty dollar paper banknote, 1966-1974 (Item 31)
Issue details
Category: specimen twenty dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 2
Denomination: twenty dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: XAA 000000
Signature/s: Herbert C Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' 8 times in red on both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith; back - portrait of Lawrence Hargrave
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 160x81 mm; red and yellow on paper
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP10
Specimen fifty dollar paper banknote, 1973-1995 (Item 32)
Issue details
Category: specimen fifty dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 3
Denomination: fifty dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: YAA 000000
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/F H Wheeler, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides and 'Specimen No. 0192' on front
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Howard Florey; back - portrait of Sir Ian Clunies Ross
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 165x82 mm; gold, blue, brown, green
Industry catalogue/number: Mc DS21
Specimen one dollar paper banknote, 1974-1984 (Item 33)
Issue details
Category: specimen one dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 3
Denomination: one dollar
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: BLG 000000 and 'Specimen No. 0061'
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/F H Wheeler, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - HM Queen Elizabeth II from a photo by Douglas Glass; back - line interpretation of Aboriginal art and original bark painting by David Malangi
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 140x70 mm; orange, brown
Industry catalogue/number: Mc DS16
Additional information
First note with change of wording from 'Commonwealth of Australia' to 'Australia' and the legal tender clause to "This Australian note is legal tender throughout Aust
This was the first banknote to feature Aboriginal art.
This note was replaced by a gold coin in 1984.
Specimen two dollar paper banknote, 1974-1988 (Item 34)
Issue details
Category: specimen two dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 3
Denomination: two dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: HBQ 000000 and 'Specimen No. 0061'
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/F H Wheeler, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of John Macarthur, pioneer sheep breeder; back - portrait of William Farrer, pioneer wheat breeder
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 145x71 mm; green and yellow
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R85F
Additional information
A vertical metallic thread was moved from near the natural fold area to a position further left.
Replaced by a gold coin in 1988.
Specimen five dollar paper banknote, 1974-1992 (Item 35)
Issue details
Category: specimen five dollar paper banknote
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: five dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: NKG 000000 and 'Specimen No. 0061'
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia, F H Wheeler/Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front – portrait of Sir Joseph Banks; back - portrait of Caroline Chisholm and clipper brig 'Waverley'
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 152x76 mm; mauve
Industry catalogue/number Renniks #R205F
Specimen ten dollar paper banknote, 1974-1993 (Item 36)
Issue details
Category: specimen ten dollar paper banknote
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: ten dollars
Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia Treasury
Printer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Serial number: TBC 000000 and 'Specimen No. 0061'
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/F H Wheeler, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Francis Howard Greenway; back - portrait of Henry Lawson
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 160x81 mm; red and yellow
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R305F
Additional information
A vertical metallic thread was moved from near the natural fold area to a position further left.
Specimen twenty dollar paper banknote, 1974-1989 (Item 37)
Issue details
Category: specimen twenty dollar paper banknote
Type: legal tender issue
Denomination: twenty dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: XGY 000000 and 'Specimen No. 0061'
Signature/s: M J Phillips, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia/F H Wheeler, Secretary to the Treasury
Overprinting: diagonally overprinted with 'Specimen' and 'NO VALUE' both sides
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front: portrait of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith; back - portrait of Lawrence Hargrave
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: profile of Captain James Cook
Physical description: dimensions - 155x76 mm; blue/orange
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R405F
Specimen one hundred dollar banknote in presentation envelope, 1984 (Item 38)
Issue details
Category: specimen hundred dollar paper banknote
Type: specimen Type 4
Denomination: one hundred dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: ZAA 000000 and 'SPECIMEN No. 0337 on back
Signature/s: J Stone, Secretary to the Treasury/RA Johnston, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' twice in red on front and 'Specimen No. 0337' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Sir Douglas Mawson, geologist and Antartic explorer; back - portrait of John Tebbutt, astronomer
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: multiple portraits of James Cook towards left edge
Physical description: dimensions - 172x82.5 mm; blue/grey
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #SP28
Additional information
First note with multiple watermarks.
Specimen five dollar polymer banknote in presentation envelope, 1993 (Item 39)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $5 specimen banknote
Type: collector issue
Denomination: five dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 00 000 000 (on back) and 'Specimen No. 0619'
Signature/s: A S Cole, Secretary to the Treasury/B W Fraser, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red on front and 'Specimen No. 0619' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - HM Queen Elizabeth II; back - old and new Parliament Houses, Canberra
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: transparent panel with gum flower in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 129x65 mm; purple
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R214F
Additional information
First plastic (polymer) notes partly introduced to defeat counterfeiting.
First use of unique, clear window.
Specimen ten dollar polymer banknote in presentation envelope, 1993 (Item 40)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $10 specimen banknote
Type: collector issue
Denomination: ten dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 93000000
Signature/s: E A Evans, Secretary to the Treasury, B W Fraser, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red on front and 'Specimen No. 0607' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Dame Mary Gilmore by William Dobell; back - portrait of Banjo Paterson
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: transparent panel with windmill in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 135x65 mm; blue
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R316aF
Additional information
Plastic (polymer) notes were introduced partly to defeat counterfeiting.
First use of unique, clear window.
Specimen ten dollar polymer banknote, Bicentenary issue, in presentation envelope, 1988 (Item 41)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $10 specimen banknote, Bicentenary issue
Type: collector issue
Denomination: ten dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 0000 0000
Signature/s: B W Fraser, Secretary to the Treasury/RA Johnston, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red and first date of issue on front and 'Specimen No. 0635' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - ship 'Supply' in Sydney Cove based on a sketch by John Hunter; back - Aboriginal youth in body paint with Morning Star Pole
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: transparent panel optical variable device (OVD) of Captain Cook in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 155x77.5 mm; green, blue, orange
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #RAO1(a)1
Additional information
First use of OVD to deter counterfeiting - replaced watermark in paper notes.
Specimen one hundred dollar polymer banknote in presentation envelope, 1996 (Item 42)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $100 specimen banknote
Type: collector issue
Denomination: one hundred dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 96 000 000
Signature/s: E A Evans, Secretary to the Treasury, B W Fraser, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides and 'Specimen No. 0723' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Dame Nellie Melba; back - portrait of Sir John Monash
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Australian coat of arms plus transparent panel with lyre bird and '100' in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 158x65 mm; green
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #616F
Additional information
First plastic (polymer) notes partly introduced to defeat counterfeiting.
First use of unique, clear window.
Specimen twenty dollar polymer banknote in presentation envelope, 1994 (Item 43)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $20 specimen banknote
Type: collector issue
Denomination: twenty dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 94000000
Signature/s: E A Evans, Secretary to the Treasury/B W Fraser, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides and 'Specimen No. 0723' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of Mary Reibey, a convict settler; back - portrait of Rev. John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Australian coat of arms plus transparent panel with compass in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 144x65 mm; red
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R416aF
Additional information
First plastic (polymer) notes partly introduced to defeat counterfeiting.
First use of unique, clear window.
Specimen fifty dollar polymer banknote in presentation envelope, 1995 (Item 44)
Issue details
Category: Australian polymer $50 specimen banknote
Type: collector issue
Denomination: fifty dollars
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Australia
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Serial number: AA 95000000
Signature/s: E A Evans, Secretary to the Treasury/B W Fraser, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Overprinting: 'SPECIMEN' in red on both sides and 'Specimen No. 0723' on back
Circulation status: specimen
Illustrative content: front - portrait of David Unaipon, Aboriginal writer and inventor; back: portrait of Edith Cowan, first female member of an Australian Parliament
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Australian coat of arms plus transparent panel with Southern cross in centre
Physical description: dimensions - 152.5x65 mm; gold
Industry catalogue/number: Renniks #R516aF
Additional information
First plastic (polymer) notes partly introduced to defeat counterfeiting.
First use of unique, clear window.