About Australian PRE-Decimal Paper Banknotes
Australia’s One Pound Notes – 1953 & 1961
Australia’s One Pound Notes – 1953 & 1961
The one pound note was the backbone of Australia’s pre-decimal economy, equivalent to roughly a day’s wages for many Australians.
The 1953 Coombs/Wilson Commonwealth Bank issue was one of the last produced under Commonwealth authority. It circulated widely, making high-grade survivors rare, yet it remains a vital piece of Australian currency heritage. Collectors value it as an accessible entry into pre-decimal notes, with uncirculated examples commanding strong premiums.
The 1961 Coombs/Wilson Reserve Bank issue continued the tradition but introduced Reserve Bank authority. Like the ten shilling of the same year, it carries transitional importance—both a “first” Reserve Bank note and one of the “last” pre-decimal one pound notes before decimalization. This dual role makes it a cornerstone for collectors and a tangible link between two eras.