Australian Pre-Decimal Currency: The Ultimate Collector’s Guide to Pounds, Shillings & Pence (1910–1966)

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Australian Pre-Decimal Currency: The Ultimate Collector’s Guide to Pounds, Shillings & Pence (1910–1966)​

For more than half a century, Australians carried coins with kangaroos, rams, wheat stalks and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms in their pockets, while banknotes were measured in pounds rather than dollars. Before Decimal Day on 14 February 1966, Australia’s currency followed the traditional British system of pounds (£), shillings (s) and pence (d)—a system that now fascinates collectors around the world.

Whether you’ve inherited a jar of old coins, discovered a Queen Elizabeth II £1 note, or want to start collecting Australia’s classic currency, this guide will help you understand the history, denominations, rare dates and values of Australia’s pre-decimal money.

The History of Australia’s Pre-Decimal Currency​

Although Australia became a Federation in 1901, it continued using British currency for several years. In 1910, the Commonwealth introduced Australia’s first national coinage, based on the familiar imperial system used throughout the British Empire.

The system worked like this:

• 12 pence (12d) = 1 shilling
• 20 shillings = 1 pound
• 240 pence = £1

Simple enough when written down—but calculating prices like £3 17s 11d required plenty of mental arithmetic. This complexity was one of the main reasons Australia eventually adopted decimal currency in 1966.

Understanding Pounds, Shillings and Pence​

Symbol	Name	Value
d	Penny	Base unit
3d	Threepence	Three pennies
6d	Sixpence	Half a shilling
1/-	Shilling	12 pence
2/-	Florin	Two shillings
£1	One Pound	20 shillings

The symbols themselves have ancient origins:

• £ comes from the Latin word Libra.
• s stands for solidus.
• d comes from denarius, an ancient Roman silver coin.

These Roman abbreviations survived for centuries and became part of everyday Australian life.

Australia’s Pre-Decimal Coins​

Half Penny (½d)​

Years issued: 1911–1964

The humble half penny was the smallest circulating coin in Australia and featured a charming kangaroo design from 1939 onwards

Design Changes​

• 1911–1936: Traditional text design
• 1939–1964: Kangaroo with Commonwealth Star

Collector Highlights​

• 1915 Half Penny
• 1923 Half Penny
• 1930 Half Penny (rare)

Many collectors enjoy assembling complete date runs because the series remains relatively affordable compared with pennies.

Penny (1d)​

The Australian penny is arguably the nation’s most famous pre-decimal coin.

Years issued​

1911–1964

Designs​

Years	Design
1911–1936	Text reverse
1937–1964	Kangaroo & Commonwealth Star

The Legendary 1930 Penny​

Among Australian collectors, no coin has a greater reputation than the 1930 Penny.

Only a tiny number entered circulation, making it Australia’s most famous rare coin. Genuine examples can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, with exceptional specimens reaching well into the millions.

Other desirable pennies include:

• 1915
• 1925
• 1946 dot varieties
• 1948

Threepence (3d)​

The threepence—or “thrupenny bit”—was one of Australia’s most commonly used silver coins.

Years issued​

1910–1964

Designs​

• 1910–1936: Australian Coat of Arms
• 1937–1964: Three wheat stalks

Silver Content​

Early threepences contained sterling silver until 1945.

• 1910–1945: 92.5% silver
• 1946–1964: 50% silver

This silver content makes them especially popular with both coin collectors and bullion enthusiasts.

Scarce Dates​

• 1922
• 1923
• 1937
• 1942 Melbourne and San Francisco issues

Sixpence (6d)​

Perhaps the most nostalgic Australian coin, the sixpence was often placed inside Christmas puddings for good luck.

Years issued​

1910–1963

Design​

Unlike several other denominations, the sixpence retained the Australian Coat of Arms throughout its production.

Silver Content​

• Sterling silver: 1910–1945
• 50% silver: 1946–1963

Popular collector dates include:

• 1915
• 1921
• 1923
• 1933

Shilling (1/-)​

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– M.R.Roberts - Wynyard Coin Centre"]https://images.openai.com/static-rs...7N4AEPTsPSdCmBERjsEngYKY?purpose=inline[/IMG]



The shilling remains one of Australia’s most attractive pre-decimal coins.

Designs​

Years	Reverse
1910–1936	Coat of Arms
1938–1964	Ram’s Head

The famous ram’s head design by George Kruger Gray became an Australian icon.

Valuable Dates​

• 1915
• 1921
• 1933
• 1938 first Ram’s Head issue

Florin (2/-)​

The florin was Australia’s largest regular silver coin before decimalisation.

Years issued​

1910–1963

Silver Content​

• Sterling silver until 1945
• 50% silver after 1946

Famous Florins​

1934–35 Centenary Florin​

Issued to celebrate Victoria’s centenary, this remains one of Australia’s most popular commemorative coins.

1951 Jubilee Florin​

[IMG width="478px" alt="Australia 1951 Jubilee Florin - Wynyard Coin Centre
– M.R.Roberts - Wynyard Coin Centre"]https://images.openai.com/static-rs...HDli9sUQDxUEzdvqwyOh5csQ?purpose=inline[/IMG]



Celebrating 50 years of Federation, this coin is another collector favourite.

The Crown (5/-)​

The Crown deserves its own section because it was issued for just one year—1937.

Although intended as a circulating coin, Australians largely ignored it because of its unusually large size.

Today it is one of the most recognisable Australian pre-decimal coins.

Australia’s Pre-Decimal Banknotes​

While coins receive most of the attention, Australia’s banknotes are equally fascinating.

Common Denominations​

• 10 Shillings
• £1
• £5
• £10
• £20
• £50
• £100
• £1,000 (very rare)

Near Mint

Queen Elizabeth II One Pound Note​

Perhaps the most collected Australian banknote.

Why collectors love it:

• First Australian note featuring Queen Elizabeth II.
• Beautiful green engraving.
• Affordable entry point into banknote collecting.

The 10 Shilling Note​

Worth exactly half a pound, this note later became the $1 note after decimalisation

Many Australians who experienced Decimal Day remember exchanging these notes at the bank.

Monarch Portraits​

One enjoyable way to collect pre-decimal coins is by monarch

King George V (1911–1936)​

Features include:

• Bare-headed portrait
• Classic Edwardian style

King George VI (1938–1952)​

• Left-facing portrait
• Wartime issues

Queen Elizabeth II (1953–1964)​

• Youthful portrait by Mary Gillick
• First female monarch on Australian coins since Federation

Rare Australian Pre-Decimal Coins Worth Looking For​

Some dates are significantly scarcer than others.

Coin	Why It’s Rare
1930 Penny	Australia’s most famous rarity
1923 Half Penny	Low mintage
1934–35 Florin	Popular commemorative
1937 Crown	One-year issue
1915 Silver Series	Lower survival

Condition has an enormous influence on value.

A coin graded Uncirculated may be worth dozens—or hundreds—of times more than the same coin in worn condition.

Understanding Coin Grades​

Collectors use standard grading terms.

Grade	Meaning
Poor	Heavily worn
Fair	Very worn
Good	Main details visible
Very Good	Moderate wear
Fine	Clear details
Very Fine	Light wear
Extremely Fine	Minimal wear
Uncirculated	No circulation wear

Professional grading companies such as NGC and PCGS provide independent authentication for valuable coins.

The Silver Years​

One reason pre-decimal coins remain popular is their silver content.

Sterling Silver Era​

• Threepence
• Sixpence
• Shilling
• Florin

1910–1945: 92.5% silver

After World War II, rising silver prices forced Australia to reduce silver purity.

1946 onwards: 50% silver.

Many beginners mistakenly assume all silver-looking coins are sterling—checking the date is essential.

Decimal Day: 14 February 1966​

One of Australia’s greatest logistical achievements occurred on 14 February 1966, when pounds disappeared almost overnight.

The government launched an enormous education campaign starring Dollar Bill, whose famous jingle helped Australians learn the new system.

The conversions became familiar:

Old	New
Half Penny	½ cent
Penny	1 cent
Threepence	2 cents
Sixpence	5 cents
Shilling	10 cents
Florin	20 cents
10 Shilling Note	$1
£1	$2

Within weeks, dollars and cents had replaced centuries of imperial money.

Building a Pre-Decimal Collection​

One of the joy of Australian pre-decimal collecting is that there are many ways to specialise.

Popular Approaches​

• Complete date runs
• One coin from each monarch
• Silver-only collections
• Commemorative coins
• Banknote sets
• Mint sets

Many collectors begin with affordable circulated coins before gradually upgrading to higher grades.

How to Store Your Collection​

Protecting your coins is just as important as finding them.

Recommended storage:

• Coin capsules
• Mylar flips
• Acid-free albums
• Banknote sleeves
• Low-humidity storage

Avoid:

• PVC holders
• Polishing coins
• Harsh cleaning chemicals

Cleaning almost always reduces collector value.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Are pre-decimal coins still legal tender?​

No. They ceased circulating after Decimal Day in 1966, although collectors continue to buy and sell them.

Which Australian pre-decimal coin is worth the most?​

The 1930 Penny remains Australia’s most famous and valuable circulating coin.

Are all old Australian silver coins valuable?​

Not necessarily. Most silver denominations from 1910–1945 contain sterling silver, while those from 1946 onwards contain 50% silver. Rarity, condition and demand determine value beyond their silver content.

Should I clean old coins?​

No. Original patina is highly valued by collectors.

Final Thoughts​

Australia’s pre-decimal currency is far more than obsolete money—it is a tangible record of the nation’s journey from Federation through two World Wars, the reigns of three monarchs, and finally into the modern decimal era. Every half penny, florin and pound note tells a story of everyday Australians who bought groceries, paid wages and celebrated milestones using a currency system that seems wonderfully complicated today.

Whether you’re searching for the elusive 1930 Penny, assembling a complete run of Queen Elizabeth II silver coins, or simply preserving a family collection of old pound notes, collecting Australia’s pounds, shillings and pence offers one of the most rewarding entry points into Australian numismatics.

At Bygone Relics, we’re passionate about preserving these remarkable pieces of Australian history. Explore our growing collection of pre-decimal coins, banknotes and historic collectables, and discover your next piece of Australia’s monetary past.

Further Reading & Trusted Resources​

• Royal Australian Mint — Official history of Australian pre-decimal and decimal currency.
• National Museum of Australia — Decimal Currency and Australia’s monetary history.
• Reserve Bank of Australia Museum — The Decimal Revolution exhibition.

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