Australian Decimal coins

proof coins

Proofs are coins specially struck by the mint on prepared polished or matt surface panchets (blanks).  The dies used for the striking are also polished, to produce coins with brilliant surfaces and perfect detail.  

uncirculated coins

Uncirculated specimens should show no sign of wear or scratches, or any evidence of circulation.  They may show slight imperfections from production.  The design and lettering are sharp and clear.

Decimal coins

one cent

The one cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design of a feather tailed glider has not been changed since the introduction.

One cent coins were produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the Royal Mint Melbourne branch, the Royal Mint Perth branch, and the Royal Mint, Llantrisant. Production of 1966-dated one cent coins commenced at the Royal Mint Melbourne branch in 1964.

The cessation of issue of one and two cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in his Budget Speech of 21 August 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins. The accompanying Press Release noted that

“..1c and 2c coins will continue to be legal tender: they can still be used to purchase goods and can be deposited with financial institutions in the normal manner.”

Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.

Nominal Specifications

Composition: 97% Copper – 2.5% Zinc – 0.5% Tin
Shape: Circular
Edge: Plain
Mass: 2.60 grams
Diameter: 17.65 millimetres

1966 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1970 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1973 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1974 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1975 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1976 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1980 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1981 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1982 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1983 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1987 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1988 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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1989 Australia 1 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian one cent piece features  the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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two cents

The two cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design of the frill-necked lizard has not been changed since the introduction.

Two cent coins were produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the Royal Mint Melbourne branch, the Royal Mint Perth branch, and the Royal Mint, Llantrisant. The two cent coin was the last circulating coin for Australia struck outside the Royal Australian Mint.

The cessation of issue of one and two cent coins was announced by the Treasurer in his Budget Speech of 21 August 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting of these coins. The accompanying Press Release noted that

“…1c and 2c coins will continue to be legal tender: they can still be used to purchase goods and can be deposited with financial institutions in the normal manner.”

Both coins were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.

Nominal Specifications

Composition: 97% Copper – 2.5% Zinc – 0.5% Tin
Shape: Circular
Edge: Plain
Mass: 5.20 grams
Diameter: 21.59 millimetres

1966 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1967 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1970 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1971 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1974 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1975 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

Read More »

1977 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1978 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1979 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1981 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1983 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1984 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1985 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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1989 Australia 2 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian two cent piece features  the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

Read More »

Five cents

The five cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design of the echidna on standard circulating coins has not been changed since the introduction. The obverse design was altered in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of decimal currency, but the reverse design of the echidna has remained constant.

All of the first issue of five cent coins in 1966 were produced at the Royal Mint, London. Since the first production from London, five cent coins have been produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the Royal Mint, Llantrisant and the Royal Canadian Mint.

Nominal Specifications

Composition: 75% Copper – 25% Nickel
Shape: Circular
Edge: Milled
Mass: 2.83 grams
Diameter: 19.41 millimetres

1966 Australia 5 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian five-cent piece features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the

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1968 Australia 5 cent

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian five-cent piece features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the

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Ten cents

The ten cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design of the lyrebird on standard circulating coins has not been changed since the introduction. The obverse design was altered in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of decimal currency, but the reverse design of the lyrebird has remained constant.

All of the first issue of ten cent coins in 1966 were produced at the Royal Mint, London. Since the first production from London, ten cent coins have been produced by the Royal Australian Mint and the Royal Mint, Llantrisant.

Nominal specifications

Composition: 75% Copper – 25% Nickel
Shape: Circular
Edge: Milled
Mass: 5.65 grams
Diameter: 23.60 millimetres

1985 Australia 10c

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 1985 Australia 10c coin features the 3rd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right

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Twenty cents

The twenty cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original reverse design of a platypus remained unchanged until 1995. This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs.

All twenty cent coins in the first issue in 1966 were produced at the Royal Mint, London. The Royal Australian Mint did not commence twenty cent coin production until the next financial year. Quantities of twenty cents have also been struck by the Royal Mint, Llantrisant and the Royal Canadian Mint.

Nominal specifications

Composition: 75% Copper – 25% Nickel
Shape: Circular
Edge: Milled
Mass: 11.3 grams
Diameter: 28.65 millimetres

1966 Australia 20 cents

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The Australian twenty-cent piece features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the

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2001 Australia 20 cent NSW

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 2001 commemorative Australia Twenty cent issue celebrates the Centenary of Federation of New South Wales.

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2001 Australia 20 cent VIC

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 2001 commemorative Australia Twenty cent issue celebrates the Centenary of Federation of Victoria. Featuring

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2001 Australia 20 cent WA

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 2001 commemorative Australia Twenty cent issue celebrates the Centenary of Federation of Western Australia.

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2010 Australia 20 cent ATO

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 2010 commemorative Australia Twenty cent issue celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Taxation Office.

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fifty cents

The fifty cent coin was first introduced with decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The original design featured the Commonwealth Coat of Arms struck on a coin made from 80% silver. However as the silver price rose above the face value of the coin the Mint suspended striking of the coin in March 1968.

Although it was rumoured that the Mint had lost money striking the fifty cent, all the metal used in the manufacture of the 36.5 million coins produced was purchased before the price rises.

Apart from the uneconomic cost of continuing the issue of the silver fifty cent coins, increasing confusion arose regarding the similarity in sizes between the circular fifty cent and the twenty cent coin. The decision to reissue a fifty cent coin considered not only a change to materials but also different shapes to help solve the confusion with the twenty cents.

A new shape and alloy was reintroduced into circulation in September 1969.

This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs.

Nominal specifications

19661969 – present
Composition: 80% Silver – 20 % CopperComposition: 75% Copper – 25% Nickel
Shape: CircularShape: Dodecagonal
Edge: MilledEdge: Plain
Mass: 13.28 gramsMass: 15.55 grams
Diameter: 31.65 millimetresDiameter: 31.65 millimetres (across flats)

1966 Australia 50c

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 1966 Australia 50c coin features the 2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing

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2003 Australia 50c Volunteers

Pre-decimal Australian & UK coins, banknotes and world coins Circulated. The 2003 commemorative Australia Fifty cent issue celebrates Australia’s Volunteers. Featuring the 4th portrait of

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One dollar

The one dollar coin was first introduced on 14 May 1984. Planning for a one dollar coin commenced as early as the mid-1970s. It was recognised that Australia needed a higher value coin which could be practically used in coin operated machines and to replace the one dollar note which had a short service life through high use.

Mr Stuart Devlin was commissioned to design the reverse of the new coin. The five kangaroos design was chosen from submissions received from the designer.

This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs.  

Nominal specifications

Composition: 92% Copper – 6% Aluminium – 2% Nickel
Shape: Circular
Edge: Interrupted Milled
Mass: 9.00 grams
Diameter: 25.00 millimetres

Two dollars

The two dollar coin was first introduced on 20 June 1988. Planning for a two dollar coin commenced around the same time as that for the one dollar coin. Like the one dollar, the two dollar coin replaced the note of the same denomination which had a short service life through high use.

The image on the Australian two dollar coin represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder, designed by Horst Hahne.

Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two dollar coin based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross and Australian flora.

The selected design was inspired by an artwork by Ainslie Roberts and modified in line with coin production requirements. Roberts used some features of Gwoya Tjungurrayi, otherwise known as One Pound Jimmy, as inspiration when creating a portrait depicting a traditional Aboriginal tribal elder. The rest of the features were derived from Roberts’ imagination and visual memory developed after drawing thousands of images of Indigenous people.

The size of the two dollar was determined after consideration of the needs of the visually impaired community, security considerations, a desire to avoid shaped coins, practical limitations to the diameter and thickness of coins, and to allow for future expansion of Australia’s circulating coin array. When introduced, it was necessary to accommodate this new coin with seven existing denominations.

This denomination has since been used for commemorative designs. 
 

Nominal Specifications

Composition: 92% Copper – 6% Aluminium – 2% Nickel
Shape: Circular
Edge: Interrupted Milled
Mass: 6.60 grams
Diameter: 20.50 millimetres