Australian 5 dollar note

Infobox Banknote
Country = Australia
Denomination = Five Dollars
Value = 5
Unit = Australian dollars
Width = 130
Height = 65
Security Features = Window, Watermark
Paper Type = Polymer
Years of Printing = 1992–present
Obverse =AustraliaPNew-5Dollars-(20)05-donatedowl_f.jpg
Obverse Design = Queen Elizabeth II
Obverse Designer = Bruce Stewart
Obverse Design Date = 24 April, 1995
Reverse =AustraliaPNew-5Dollars-(20)05-donatedowl_b.jpg
Reverse Design = Parliament House
Reverse Designer = Bruce Stewart
Reverse Design Date = 24 April, 1995

The Australian five dollar banknote was issued one year after the currency was changed from the Australian pound to the Australian dollar on 14 February 1966. It was a new denomination, as the pound system had no £2½, with a new mauve colouration. There have been four different issues of this denomination: a paper note which had a gradient of mauve, with a distinct black overprint. The polymer issue which can be recognised for its distinct mauve colouration, was first issued in pale mauve (1992). It was soon discovered that ultra-violet light degraded the ink bond and that a note in circulation for any moderate period of time could have elements 'scratched off' with a fingernail. In 1995 a second version was created, distinguishable by it's deeper shade. A federation commemorative was issued in 2001 for that year only.

tatistics

According to Reserve Bank statistics, at the end of June 2006 there was a net value of $572 million in $5 notes in circulation, with a 1.5% cash value of all issued currency. Actual banknotes in circulation account for 13.3% of all denominations, or 114 million banknotes. [ [http://www.rba.gov.au/CurrencyNotes/Statistics/notes_on_issue.html Reserve bank statistics 2004/2005]

Since the start of issuance there have been sixteen signature combinations, of which the 1967 issue is of the greatest value, issued for two years only; and the 1990 Fraser/Higgens being issued for less than a year.

From 1967 to 1974 the main title identifying the country was Commonwealth of Australia, there were 195,504,000 notes issued in its life. This was subsequently changed to Australia until the end of the issuance of paper currency for this denomination in 1992 with 978,068,318 of these notes being issued.

Design

For the earlier issue Joseph Banks and Caroline Chisholm were porteayed on the paper issue, with Queen Elizabeth the Second on the polymer issue.

ecurity Features

The paper design included a watermark in the white field of Captain James Cook, the watermark was also used in the last issue of pound banknotes. A metallic strip, first near the centre of the note, then from 1976 moved to the left side on the obverse of the note.
Polymer issue includes a watermark or clear imprint of the coat of arms which is printed over. A pointed star with four points on the obverse and three on the reverse which join under light. The clear window has a eucalyptus leaf showing.Raised print and micro printing of the denomination name are included. [ [http://www.rba.gov.au/CurrencyNotes/SecurityFeaturesAndCounterfeitDetection/security_features_on_australias_notes.html Security Features on Australia's Notes] retrieved 20 August 2006]

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Notable Appearance in Culture

In 1993, then Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating was filmed signing a five dollar note for an autograph seeker. He quipped that he'd 'increased that value of it' but was quickly chastened for defacing currency. Defacing currency is a criminal act under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 (Cth)

References

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