Summary

Decimal Changeover display board, used in banks and other financial institutions during the decimal changeover period in Australia in 1966. It contains a set of the new decimal coins from One cent through to 50 cents on a gilt embossed red board with explanatory text under each coin giving the equivalent in the old system. The board notes that all coins have the Queen's effigy on one side.

Australia initiated the change to decimal currency in 1963, and it was officially introduced on 14 February 1966. As part of the project to introduce decimal currency to Australia, the Advisory Panel on Coin Design commissioned six artists, to submit reverse designs for the new coins. The successful artist was Stuart Devlin, a Geelong-born gold and silversmith.

Physical Description

A cardboard stand covered in red flock with gold printing. Circles of cardboard have been cut out into which are inserted the new decimal currency. An unused cardboard stand is attached to the reverse of the board. The Coins have a light layer of tarnish appearing slightly dull. They are not adhered in place but are tightly inserted into the recesses. The coins are: two fifty cent coins (showing obverse and reverse), one twenty cent coin (showing the reverse), one ten cent coin (showing the reverse), one five cent coin (showing the reverse), one two cent coin (showing the reverse) and a one cent coin (showing the reverse).

Obverse Description

50 Cent: Diademed bust of Elizabeth II right; around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1966

Reverse Description

50 Cent: Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia (based on those authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912) composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves. The artist's initials SD are in the field below the numerals. 20 Cent: A platypus swimming. The denomination numeral 20 is above the head of the mammal and the artist's initials SD are within the swirl of water around its right forepaw. 10 Cent: Lyrebird seen facing left with its tail plumes expanded forward over its head. The denomination numeral 10 is above the head of the bird and the artist's initials SD are below, in the field beside its right foot. 5 Cent: An echidna (also known as a spiny ant-eater) seen from below as it rolls into a protective ball. The denomination numeral 5 is above the lower half of the animal and the artist's initials SD are below the numeral. 2 Cent: Frilled necked dragon lizard right; at left large 2. 1 Cent: Feather-tailed Glider; at left, the denomination numeral, 1.

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