Historical information

These coins are examples of Australian decimal currency coins in 1970 and 1971. Decimal currency was introduced into Australia in 1966 with 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, five cents, two cents and one cent coins issued at that time. The images of Australian animals and birds on one side of the coins were designed by Stuart Devlin. The one and two cent coins were discontinued in the 1980s and $1 and $2 coins were introduced in 1991.

Significance

These coins are retained as examples of Australian decimal currency coins in the 1970s. They will be useful for display.

Physical description

.1 A Australian decimal currency twelve-sided coin, 50 cents – Australian Coat of Arms on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth11 on the other.
‘2 An Australian decimal currency coin, 20 cents – image of a platypus on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth11 on the other
.3 An Australian decimal currency coin, 10 cents – image of a lyrebird on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth 11 on the other
.4 An Australian decimal currency coin, 5 cents – image of a spiny anteater (echidna) on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth 11 on the other
.5 An Australian decimal currency coin, 2 cents – image of a frill-necked lizard on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth 11 on the other.
.6 An Australian decimal currency coin, one cent – the image of a feathertail glider on one side and the image of Queen Elizabeth 11 on the other.

Inscriptions & markings

.1 50 Elizabeth11 Australia 1971
.2 20 Queen Elizabeth 11 Australia 1970
.3 10 Queen Elizabeth 11 Australia 1970
.4 5 Queen Elizabeth 11 Australia 1970
.5 2 Queen Elizabeth 11 Australia 1970
.6 1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Australia 1971