$1 1966 - 1982 Overview...

Signatories: H.C. Coombs (Governor) / Roland Wilson (Secretary to the Treasury)
Catalogue Prefix Range: AAA – HNC
First Decimal $1 Note issued on 14 February 1966

• Obverse (Front):
  Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, adapted from a photo by Douglas Glass
  Background: Australian native flora (Brachychiton)
  Designer: Gordon Andrews
   
• Reverse (Back):
  Aboriginal motif based on bark paintings and Aboriginal rock art from Arnhem Land
  Design endorsed by Yolngu artist David Malangi (after later recognition)
   
• Size: 145 mm x 72.5 mm
   
• Paper: Cotton fiber with embedded watermark and metallic security thread
   
• Watermark: Captain James Cook, left of the Queen’s portrait
   
• Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia

• First prefix: AAA
   
• Last prefix: HNC
   
• Special Collectible Prefixes:
   
  • First Prefix (AAA) – commands a premium
     
  • Last Prefix (HNC) – also valued higher
     
  • Star Replacement Notes (e.g., ZAF)* – very rare and sought after

• High demand as the first $1 decimal issue
   
• Widely collected in UNC for type sets, especially AAA and HNC prefixes
   
• Star notes (ZAF)* are rare due to limited replacements printed
   
• Market has stabilized post-2020, with mild appreciation in top-graded notes
   

• Denomination: $1
   
• Series Year: 1968
   
• Signatories: R.J. Randall (Governor), H.C. Coombs (Secretary to the Treasury)
   
• Prefix Range: GAA to GEC (inclusive)
   
• Printer: Note Printing Branch, RBA
   
• Type: Paper decimal currency
   
• Size: 140 mm × 70 mm
   

• Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II (after a photograph by Douglas Glass, wearing Queen Alexandra’s kokoshnik tiara)
   
• Background: Aboriginal bark painting by David Malangi (Arnhem Land)
   
• Color Scheme: Multicoloured with dominant green tones
   

• Artwork: Aboriginal cultural scene, including motifs of the mortuary rites of the man Murudjurl from Arnhem Land
   
• Main Theme: Indigenous heritage and Dreamtime
   
• Artist: David Malangi
   

• Common Prefix Range: GAA to GEC
   
• Special Varieties:
   
  • First Prefix: GAA – higher collector value
     
  • Last Prefix: GEC – moderate premium
     
  • Star Notes: None issued for this year (replacements were issued with standard serials)
     
• Serial Format: 2-letter prefix, 6-digit number
   

In UNC condition:

• Crisp, fresh paper with original sheen
   
• No folds, handling marks, or creases
   
• Sharp corners, no edge bumps
   
• Perfect ink alignment, no smudges or fading
   

Grading standards align with UNC 60–70 scale, with UNC 66–68 being investment-grade.

• Popularity: Widely collected due to the iconic Aboriginal design and Queen Elizabeth II portrait.
   
• Availability: Fairly common in UNC; premium grades (UNC 66+) are scarcer and appreciated faster.
   
• Auction Highlights: GAA or GEC notes in UNC 67+ have fetched $90–$130 at recent Australian auctions (2024–2025).
   
• Authentication Tip: Look for fine print alignment in microtext around Queen’s bust and bark painting for signs of originality.
   

• Seek serial number alignment and print quality for top UNC specimens.
   
• PMG/PCGS graded notes in UNC 66–68 offer superior resale potential.
   
• Pair with 1966 and 1967 Coombs signature $1 notes for a strong early decimal trio.

• Denomination: $1
   
• Series Year: 1969
   
• Signatories: H.C. Coombs (Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia), R.J. Randall (Secretary to the Treasury)
   
• Prefix Range:
   
  • General Circulation Prefixes: CAN–CJZ
     
  • First Prefix: CAN
     
  • Last Prefix: CJZ
     
  • Star Notes: Yes (replacements) — noted with a star in serial number
     
• Printer: Note Printing Branch, RBA, Melbourne
   
• Issue Date: Late 1969
   

• Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II (after a 1960s photograph by Douglas Glass)
   
• Background: Aboriginal bark painting from Arnhem Land
   
• Artist: Gordon Andrews (banknote designer)
   
• Security Features:
   
  • Watermark of Captain James Cook (left blank panel)
     
  • Metallic security thread (to the left of the portrait, embedded)
     

• Motif: Aboriginal art and cultural imagery
   
• Artwork: Based on bark paintings from Arnhem Land and other Indigenous motifs
   

• Market Status: Modest appreciation over the past 5 years
   
• Rarity Tier: Common (except for Star, First, and Last Prefix)
   
• Top Performers: High-grade Star notes and PCGS/PMG-certified GEM 66–68+

• Issuer: Commonwealth of Australia
   
• Denomination: One Dollar
   
• Year of Print: 1972
   
• Signatories: J.G. Phillips (Governor, Reserve Bank) & F.H. Wheeler (Secretary to the Treasury)
   
• Prefix Range: AAA to ZZZ
   
• Printer: Note Printing Branch, RBA, Melbourne
   
• Dimensions: 140mm x 70mm
   
• Watermark: Captain James Cook (left side)
   

• Portrait: Queen Elizabeth II (after 1960s portrait by Douglas Glass, adapted by Gordon Andrews)
   
• Design: Aboriginal-inspired patterns with vibrant ochre tones
   
• Serial Number Style: Horizontal, black ink, two-letter prefix with 6-digit number
   

• Design Theme: Aboriginal motifs
   
• Main Feature: Aboriginal artwork and the "Morning Star Pole" based on Yolngu culture
   
• Designer: Gordon Andrews
   

• Common Issues: Mostly standard with no major serial number anomalies
   
• Notable Varieties:
   
  • Star Notes (replacement notes): Serial numbers with a ★ symbol instead of a final digit (extremely rare in UNC)
    
     

• High-grade UNC 65+ notes are being increasingly sought by newer collectors and flippers
   
• Star Notes are extremely scarce for this signature combination and fetch very strong premiums at auction
   
• Bulk UNC bundles of lower prefixes (e.g. AA to AD) commonly appear at shows and auctions

• Considered a common issue in circulated condition, but:
   
  • True GEM UNC examples are getting harder to find
     
  • Rising demand from entry-level decimal collectors
     
• Often part of full signature set collections (Coombs/Wilson to Knight/Stone)

• Denomination: $1
   
• Series Year: 1974
   
• Signatories:
   
  • H. M. (Harry) Phillips – Secretary to the Treasury
     
  • F. H. (Frederick) Wheeler – Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
     
• Prefix Range:
   
  • General Issue: AAX to DDX
     
  • Common First Prefix: AAX
     
  • Common Last Prefix: DDX
     

• Obverse:
   
  • Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (based on a 1960 photo by Anthony Buckley)
     
  • Australian Coat of Arms
     
• Reverse:
   
  • Artwork inspired by Aboriginal rock art (based on paintings by indigenous artist Yolngu people, Arnhem Land)
     
  • X-ray style kangaroo, snake, and tribal motifs
     
• Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia
   

• Printed on cotton fibre paper
   
• No modern polymer or advanced holographic features
   
• Basic security features:
   
  • Watermark: Captain James Cook (visible when held to light)
     
  • Metallic Security Thread (vertical)
    
     

• High survival rate: Many stored as souvenirs in 1970s–80s.
   
• Ideal entry-level note for beginners in Australian decimal banknote collecting.
   
• Investment Grade UNC66+ notes are scarce and desirable.
   
• Watch for: crisp paper, no folds, centered margins, and strong original embossing.

The 1976 Australian $1 banknote signed by Knight and Wheeler is a notable piece in numismatics, especially in uncirculated condition. Here's a detailed overview:

• Signatories: H.M. Knight (Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia) and F.H. Wheeler (Secretary to the Treasury).
   
• Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
   
• Reverse: Indigenous "dreaming" artwork.
   
• Issue Period: March 1976 to May 1979.
   
• Paper Type: Cotton-based paper with embedded security threads. come in several variants, each with unique features:

• Description: Features a centrally placed security thread.
   
• Mintage: Approximately 315 million.
   
• Collectability: Common uncirculated.
   

• Description: Security thread positioned approximately 10mm to the left of the original center, introduced to reduce wear and tear.
   
• Collectability: Less common.
   

• Description: Experimental note printed on "Double Fold Paper" (DBP), intended to test durability.
   
• Mintage: Limited to 500,000.
   
• Collectability: Highly sought after.
   

• Description: Printed on "Single Fold Paper.
   
• Mintage: Also limited to 500,000.
   
• Collectability: Scarce.
   

• Standard Variants: Readily available.
   
• DBP Test Notes: Due to their experimental nature and limited mintage, these are highly collectable.  
   

Uncirculated (UNC) notes are characterized by:

• No folds, creases, or handling marks.
   
• Sharp corners and original sheen.
   
• Crisp paper quality.
   

These standards are crucial for collectors assessing the value and authenticity of banknotes.

• 1979
   

• John S. Knight – Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
   
• Alec J. Stone – Secretary to the Treasury
   

• Part of the Australian decimal paper currency series.
   
• Printed by Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia.
   
• Features the First Fleet vignette on the reverse, reflecting Australia's colonial history.
   

• Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, based on a painting by Norman Hepple.
   
• Background includes Aboriginal motifs (based on Arnhem Land bark paintings).
   
• Coat of Arms of Australia.
   

• Depiction of Aboriginal artworks:
   
  • Based on the work of Yolngu artist David Malangi.
     
  • Includes traditional hunting and ceremonial scenes.
     

• 140 mm x 70 mm
   

• Printed on cotton fiber paper.
   
• No modern security features like a transparent window.
   
• Features include:
   
  • Watermark of Captain James Cook.
     
  • Metallic security thread (woven into the paper).
    
     

• Common general circulation prefixes: DHA to DJA
   
• First and last prefixes can attract a collector premium.
   

• Often targeted by collectors completing full decimal $1 runs (1966–1984).
   
• Widely available, so pristine condition is key to value.
   
• Well-represented in the PMG/PCGS population reports.
   

• Inspect for sharp corners, perfect margins, and full embossing.
   
• Watermark clarity and thread visibility help confirm authenticity.
   
• Avoid notes with any foxing, staining, or folds (even minor handling lowers grade).

• Denomination: $1
   
• Year of Issue: 1982
   
• Signatories: H.C. "Tony" Johnston (Governor), J.G. Stone (Secretary to the Treasury)
   
• Series Prefix Range: Generally starts from CKF to CNZ
   
• Dimensions: 140mm x 70mm
   
• Material: Paper (not polymer)
   

• Obverse:
   
  • Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, based on a 1973 photograph by Douglas Glass.
     
  • Background features a gum tree, part of Australia's native flora.
     
  • Designer: Harry Williamson
     
• Reverse:
   
  • Depicts Aboriginal bark paintings and a figure by artist David Malangi.
     
  • Theme reflects traditional Indigenous Australian art and cultural heritage.
     

• Watermark: Captain James Cook (visible when held to light)
   
• Metallic security thread: Embedded near the centre
   
• No microprinting or UV features (pre-polymer era)
   

• Printed just a year before the $1 coin was introduced (1984)
   
• Among the last paper $1 notes produced before full transition to coinage
   
• Produced in large volumes, but uncirculated notes are still collectible due to historical significance
   

• Historical milestone: Last full year of $1 paper note production
   
• Common but rising: Available in bulk but starting to gain value among newer collectors
   
• Best value: GEM UNC examples with crisp paper, strong centering, and no handling marks
   
• Display collectors often value this note for the vivid Indigenous reverse art
   

• Look for prefix letters: Late CKF–CNZ range
   
• Watermark should be clear and centered
   
• Sharp edges, no folds, and vibrant colors define UNC

LAST UPDATED: 30th June 2025