Australian Banknote Signatures and Variants

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The above points will help identify the different options available to select using the Australian Banknote Checker tool to assist with correctly checking your banknotes.

*NOTE* This page is not a comprehensive list of all variants and signatures for all Australian banknotes, Only the options that are required for additional information to be used in the Australian banknote checker tool.

Paper Banknote Signatures

Below are the 13 signatures used on the Australian Paper Banknotes between 1966 – 1993, Match the 2 signatures on your banknote and select the matching set in the checker tool to help determine the year of the banknote.

Cole
Coombs
Evans
Fraser
Higgins
Johnston
Knight
Phillips
Phillips
Randall
Stone
Wheeler
Wilson

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Paper Header Variants

Australian Paper Banknotes have the header ‘COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA’ for notes issued before 1973, and then the header ‘AUSTRALIA’ for notes issued onward. Below are examples of the 2x Headers:

EXAMPLE: Commonwealth Of Australia
Available on $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 notes.
EXAMPLE: Australia
Available on $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.

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$5 Variants (Original / Re-Colour)

$5 Banknotes were re-designed in 1995, The original $5 note with a lighter colour, and 1995 to 2015 is the common darker pink/purple design. As a result of the serial numbering there may be overlaps of AA95 prefix notes that need to be selected in the checker tool, Below are examples of the 2x designs:

EXAMPLE: Original Coloured
Design for $5 notes dated 1992 – 1993
EXAMPLE: Re-Coloured
Design for $5 notes dated 1995 – 2015 (ex. 2001)

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$5 Variants (Original / Federation)

The 2001 $5 banknote had a commemorative design released into circulation for centenary of federation, This design has been withdrawn from circulation although still found occasionally in use. As a result of the serial numbering there may be overlaps of AA01 & AB01 prefix notes between 1992 and 2001 dated $5 notes, Below are examples of the 2x designs:

EXAMPLE: 1992 Original Design
Design for $5 notes dated 1992 – 1993
EXAMPLE:2001 Centenary Of Federation
Design for $5 notes dated 2001

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$10 Variants (Bicentennial / Polymer)

1988 $10 notes had a Commemorative Polymer design with an updated serial number system compared to the Paper Banknotes issued a the time. As a result of the serial numbering there may be overlaps with several years of the general issue $10 notes, where conflicting serials may the variant will need to be selected in the checker tool, Below are examples of the 2x designs:

EXAMPLE: Bicentennial
Design for $10 notes dated 1988
EXAMPLE:General Polymer Issue
Design for $10 notes dated 1993 – 2015

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