New South Wales Animals Featured on Australian Coins
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© the State Library of New South Wales
When Governor Lachlan Macquarie introduced the Holey Dollar and Dumps in 1813, Australian coins were the only currency in Australia. Pence and shillings were introduced in 1829 as Australia converted to a currency modelled on the British pound. Today, coins make up the smaller currency denominations up to $2.
Australia converted to a decimal system in 1966 and in doing so was required to redesigned all its existing coins and notes. All designs were to celebrate our heritage and the final coin designs had an Australian animal on the tail side and the likeness of the queen on its head. Several New South Wales native animals were used on these coins, including the Platypus and Echidna, and continue to be used today.
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