The decimal coinage of Australia

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Eventually a 12-sided copper-nickel coin was chosen, with a diameter of 31.5 mm.

It remains one of the world's largest and heaviest circulation coins.

See also: The coat of arms on Australian coins.

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This was a beautiful set, depicting Australia's unique animals.

The echidna and the platypus are monotremes.

The kangaroo and feather-tailed glider are marsupials.

See also:

1] Kangaroos on Coins.

2] Monotremes on coins.

3] Other marsupials on coins.

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Wombat.

Penguin.

Kangaroos.

By the mid-1980s, the authorities had decided that a dollar coin was also necessary.

 Stuart Devlin was once more recruited to provide a design for the coin.

Above you can see some of his initial ideas.

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The first circulation dollar was issued in 1984. It featured Devlin's design of five leaping kangaroos.

The coin was 25 mm in diameter and weighed 9 grams. It was made of 92% copper, 6% aluminium and 2% nickel.

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In 1985 the UK adopted a new portrait of the Queen, by Raphael Maklouf, and Australia did likewise.

See also: Raphael Maklouf did not design the third portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

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In 1988 Australia introduced a 2 dollar coin.

It portrayed an aboriginal elder out in the bush.

The reverse design was the work of Horst Hahne.

The coin was 20.5 mm in diameter and weighed 6.6 grams.

It was therefore smaller than the 1 dollar coin, but it was made of the same alloy.

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In 1988 Australia minted some special coins to commemorate the country's bicentennial.

They included a dollar depicting a kangaroo in the style of aboriginal art.

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Australia Bicentennial, 50 cents, 1988.  HMS Endeavour.

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In a Budget Speech on 21 August 1990, the Australian Treasurer announced the decision to demonetise the 1 and 2 cent coins.

This was due to inflation reducing their value and the high cost of bronze.

Both coins were demonetised and were no longer legal tender from 1 February 1992 onward.

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In 1998 the UK adopted a new effigy of the Queen.

It was created by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Australia did likewise in 1999.

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In 2019 Australia adopted a new portrait of the Queen for its coinage.

The new uncouped portrait was by Jody Clark of the Royal Mint (UK).

It replaced the portrait produced by Ian Rank Broadley.

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That concludes my survey of Australia's decimal coinage.

In the meantime, the Australian coinage leaves some things to be desired - in my opinion. See:

Improving the specifications of the Australian coinage.

See also:

1] Predecimal coinage of the Commonwealth of Australia.

2] The coat of arms on Australian coins.

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