Currency of Australia
Contents
sterling notes
(1913-18) 5 pounds
This specimen was lot 26010 in Heritage sale 3549 (Long Beach, September 2016), where it sold for $7,050. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia £5 Pick 5a. Australia Commonwealth of Australia £5 ND (1913-18) Pick 5a R36. A rare note in any grade with the Fine value in Krause being $32,500 and in XF a whopping $250,000. The actual Renniks number for this note is R36cF as it has black serial numbers paired with a letter U suffix. PMG has graded only two R36's with this offering being the highest. Very Fine 20 Net, rust, which is two small spots at bottom center. From The Alta California Collection."
(1914) one pound
This specimen was lot 27607 in Heritage sale 4006 (Long Beach, September 2018), where it sold for $15,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia Commonwealth of Australia £1 ND (1914) Pick 2a R20aF. The first variety of the "Rainbow Note" with blocks C or D. These emergency notes were quickly printed, but withdrawn quickly as they were found to be too easy to counterfeit. The quick withdrawal made them beyond scarce, with PMG listing this as the finest and only example they have had the privilege of grading. Wonderful colors pop from the stainless paper of this thoroughly attractive note. Stunning colors made it a wonderful plate note on page 122 of the Dauer book. PMG Very Fine 25. From the Drs. Joanne and Edward Dauer Collection of Australian Banknotes."
(1933-39) 5 pounds
This specimen was lot 26006 in Heritage sale 3534 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $1,410. The catalog description[1] noted, "Rare King George Australia £5 Note. Australia Commonwealth of Australia £5 ND (1933-1939) Pick 23b R44b. This rare note with prefix R/12 features the "white face" variety of King George V. It has a valuation of $5,000 in VF in the Krause reference. PMG Very Fine 30."
dollar issues in paper
(1968) 20 dollars
This specimen was lot 28017 in Heritage sale 4003 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia Reserve Bank $20 ND (1968) Pick 41b R402. A lovely example of this tougher issue that is tied for the finest graded that we have ever offered. At the time of issue, this was the largest denomination, having replaced the £10 note. It was not until later when inflation forced the issue of the $50 note. In our 2014 Long Beach auction, we sold an identically graded specimen for over $4,400. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ."
polymer notes
2008 20 dollars
signatures appear to be Stevens/Parkinson which, according to McDonald, did not appear until 2013, despite the "08" prefix.
2006 50 dollars
signatures appear to be Steven/Henry which, according to McDonald, did not appear until 2007, despite the "06" prefix.
1996 100 dollars
Portraits are of singer Nellie Melba and soldier John Monash. Signatures appear to be Stevens/Parkinson, which, according to McDonald, did not appear until 2013, but this note has a "96" prefix.
- McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
