Australia’s coinage began with a punched Spanish dollar in 1813, ran through Sydney Mint gold sovereigns, and became its own pre-decimal series in 1910 before going decimal in 1966. This hub maps the £sd years, the mint history, and the legendary rarities — the 1930 penny, the Holey Dollar, the 1927 florin.
Key facts
- British coins circulated in Australia until the Commonwealth began issuing its own silver in 1910 and bronze (pennies, halfpennies) in 1911.
- The pre-decimal pound (£sd) was used until Decimal Day on 14 February 1966, when the dollar was introduced at A$2 = A£1.
- Branch mints of the Royal Mint: Sydney (opened 1855), Melbourne (1872), Perth (1899); Perth remains Australia’s oldest operating mint. Gold sovereigns stopped being minted in Australia in 1931.
- Pre-decimal commemoratives were rare: the 1927 Canberra florin (Australia’s first commemorative) and the 1937–1938 crown, the only pre-decimal crown issue.
- Silver coins (.925) ran 1910–1945; debased to .500 in 1946, and removed in decimalisation.
- The 1¢ and 2¢ coins were withdrawn from circulation in 1992.
- Authentication notes: Australia’s famous rarities (1930 penny, Holey Dollar) are counterfeited — weight, die diagnostics, and certified holders are essential; buy key dates graded.