Australian Banknotes
Explore our range of decimal and pre-decimal banknotes, from scarce issues to one-of-a-kind errors.
THE ULTIMATE
COIN COLLECTING RESOURCE HUB
What to look for, what to avoid, and where to get started - it's all in here!
YOUR NUMISMATIC GUIDE
No matter where you’re at on your collecting journey, we’ve got you covered with helpful tips and expert advice, step-by-step guides, updates on emerging trends and answers to common questions we often get asked.
Explore our carefully curated resources, and enjoy becoming a confident collector today!
Understanding The Basics
What exactly is numismatics?
Numismatics is defined as the study and collection of coins, banknotes and currency items.
A collectable coin can be anything – from Ancient coins of thousands of years ago, to a freshly minted silver coin commemorating an important anniversary.
Why do people collect?
Coin collecting happens for all number of reasons, from historical curiosity to financial motivations, you’ll find no two stories are the same.
AN ANCIENT TRADITION
Coin collecting is nothing new, going all the way back to ancient Greece, when people were often gifted coins on special occasions.
Nowadays, millions of people around the world carry on the tradition.
A UNIQUE INVESTMENT
Coins can be tiny portals into the time in which they were made, and for some collecting can simply be a golden investment for your future.
Start with a professionally graded coin and watch your investment grow!
Starting your collection
You may not realise it, but chances are you’re already a collector! That foreign coin tucked away in your bedside table or the loose change that’s lying around the house, they’re all the makings of a coin collection waiting to be kicked off.
The best way to start building your collection is to decide what interests you, whether that be an era, a denomination, a commemorative event or simply something unique to you – decide what you like and start your search!
Here’s a few categories to help you get started…
If you don’t have a favourite or can’t decide where to begin, getting your hands on some loose change is a good place to start.
Empty out your wallet, or the swear jar, or find a generous relative with an old jar of coins and start picking out ones you like. You may notice a theme develops and voilà – your collection is underway!
Now that you’ve started, you may want to level up…
Circulated vs Uncirculated
Since the introduction of decimal currency in 1966, the Royal Australian Mint has produced over 15 billion (that’s with a b!) circulating coins.
Basically, any coin or banknote you’ve used to buy something with is currency in circulation. With so many billions in existence, finding a rare variety is exceptionally difficult and requires a lot of luck.
The term ‘uncirculated’ is used to describe a perfect, untouched, Mint-State version of a circulating coin. Literally uncirculated. Additionally, coins struck specifically for collectors to a slightly better quality than circulation issues are also declared to be in Brilliant Uncirculated condition (BU).
Can you spot the difference between these two Remembrance Red Poppies?
Circulated Red Poppy
Uncirculated Red Poppy
Knowing the difference between circulated and uncirculated is a good start, however we’re just scratching the surface of numismatic nuance. As a collector, it pays to know the lingo…
The Numismatic Dictionary
Alloy
A mixture of more than one metal.
Burnishing
A form of surface preparation on proof or uncirculated blanks, using steel balls and detergent to remove any unwanted watermarks from the surface of the blank.
Circulating coin
A coin that has been issued by a bank.
Denomination
The stated face value of a coin.
Die
A hardened metal tool, the face of which carries an engraved design that is to be stamped onto a blank.
Effigy
A sculpted image of a person, usually a monarch, to appear on the obverse of a coin.
Frosting
An effect in which parts of a coin are slightly dulled (using sandblasting techniques) to provide a contrast to the shinier parts of metal.
Grade
A carefully constructed series of guidelines to determine the condition and therefore the rarity and value of a coin.
Mint mark
A letter or symbol, indicating the mint of origin.
Mule
A coin, token or medal whose obverse design is not matched with its reverse.
Numismatics
The science, study or collecting of coins or similar objects.
Numismatist
A collector or knowledgeable person in the field of numismatics.
Obverse
The ‘heads’ side of a coin, usually carrying the effigy of the ruling monarch.
Pickling
A process in which proof blanks are cleaned in acid to remove oil, directional rolling lines and dirt from their surface.
Plaster
A model made during the design process, to help refine the image and its details.
Proof coin
A coin struck carefully using special dies, with frosted images on a mirror-like background. Proof is a method of manufacture, not a condition or grade.
Reverse
The ‘tails’ side of a coin, carrying a design to distinguish coins from one another.
Rim
A raised area of metal around the edge of a coin. It is intended to protect the rest of the coin from wear.
Uncirculated coin
A coin which has not been distributed or used as currency.
Uniface
A coin, medal or token which has only been struck on one side.
Tools of the trade
So you know your lingo, know what you’re looking for, and have started gathering a few coins or banknotes. Well done – you’re officially a collector! Welcome to a lifelong hobby of excitement, education, and the thrill of the chase…
To compliment your new skillset, here are a few handy tools to make things easier as you go.
HELPFUL GUIDES AND HANDY ADVICE
Common misconceptions, coins to keep an eye out for, and expert advice to refer back to.
Key Dates
Before 1966, Australia used a monetary system that was based on British
pounds, shillings, and pence. A mint condition coin from this era could fetch you a pretty penny!
Half Penny
1923
Penny
1925
1930
1946
Threepence
1922/21 Overdate
Sixpence
1918
Shilling
1933
Florin
1932
1934/35 Melbourne Centenary
Prior to 1946, silver coins were 92.5% pure, from 1946 onwards the coins were reduced to 50% pure silver.
If you don’t match with one of the key dates, divide your silver coins (Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling, Florin) according to the silver purity and we will buy them in bulk!
Paper notes were also used as currency prior to the 1966 changeover, in shillings and pounds.
With varying dates and issues, the notes to look for are star notes, first and last prefixes, and the 1967 Coombs/Randall $20.
With varying dates and issues, the notes to look for are star notes, first and last prefixes, and the 1967 Coombs/Randall $20.
Common Myths
There are a lot of common coin misconceptions to be wary of and despite what eBay may lead you to believe, not every coin is worth a fortune!
2005 $1 'Dancing Man'
Often listed at very high prices on eBay, this coin is actually very common.
Worth: Face value
1988/89 $2 'HH' Initial
Stamped with designer Horst Hahne’s initials, this coin is also very common.
Worth: Face value
1977 50c Jubilee
All commemorative 50c coins are very common, often with very high mintages.
Worth: Face value
1986 $1 Year Of Peace
Struck for the International Year of Peace, this common commemorative coin has a mintage of millions.
Worth: Face value
1996 $1 Henry Parkes
Often listed on eBay at high prices, another common coin with a high mintage.
Worth: Face value
1970 50c Captain Cook
Despite being Australia's first commemorative fifty cent coin in circulation, this is very common.
Worth: Face valueCoin Grading Scale
Use the grading scale below, from Good to Gem Uncirculated, to determine the level of preservation of your coin.
Match one of the key dates with a high grade and you could be holding a small fortune!
Good
Quite worn, but must still show the full outline of the design. Likely to have many contact marks.
Very Good
Can still look attractive if shading (dirt) from everyday use highlights the outline of the design.
Fine
Extensive wear is evident on all design features, though the outline of the design is still fairly raised.
Very Fine
Moderate wear has resulted in flat spots on the high points of the design. Nicks may be present.
Extremely Fine
Light wear is apparent on the high points of the design on both sides. Lustre may still be present.
Almost Uncirculated
Mostly similar to UNC, the major difference is faint traces of wear on the high points of the design.
Uncirculated
May display some weakness of strike as well as a small number of contact marks of moderate nature.
Choice Uncirculated
Quite well struck, and only minor detail may be missing from the high points of the design.
Gem Uncirculated
A superior coin with an almost perfect strike. May show just a few minute contact marks.
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