Like so many people who are completely fascinated by the collecting of Australian banknotes and coins, I find that I am often on the end of a very sharp learning curve. There are so many variants and varieties within the field of numismatics that one is constantly learning and reappraising everything that you know. It is now more than 25 years since the one dollar note was replaced by the one dollar coin and over 44 years since the inception of decimal currency. The advent of polymer notes has assisted in making the old paper notes a highly collectible commodity now.
The original first prefix one dollar notes with the “AAA” prefix can now command up to $1000.
This one here was graded as EF+ when it was purchased and has an approximate value of around $1250.
The first prefix $2 note with “FAA”, of which only 1 million were printed can reach over $3,000 as can good examples of the first prefix $5 notes bearing the prefix “NAA” . Ebay continues to be a reasonable source of older notes but to be guaranteed absolute precision in the grading of the notes you purchase then acquiring them from a recognised member of the Australasian Numismatic Dealer’s Association (ANDA) which is the professional body representing individuals and businesses that deal in rare coins & banknotes throughout Australasia, gives you the upper edge.
Notes which have a high number of 0's at the beginning of the serial number are also recognied to be worth more as they are closer to the start of the print run. So a very low serial such as 000025 would be worth somewhat more than a note with 450025. The special and unique number of 1000000 is also highly prized as only one occurs in each print run exceeding a million notes. A very rare Coombs Randall $5 bearing the serial NAF1000000 sold recently for $37,500. The kind of banknote we all hope Grandma has tucked away somewhere for a rainy day.
Notes which have a high number of 0's at the beginning of the serial number are also recognied to be worth more as they are closer to the start of the print run. So a very low serial such as 000025 would be worth somewhat more than a note with 450025. The special and unique number of 1000000 is also highly prized as only one occurs in each print run exceeding a million notes. A very rare Coombs Randall $5 bearing the serial NAF1000000 sold recently for $37,500. The kind of banknote we all hope Grandma has tucked away somewhere for a rainy day.
Star notes or star replacement notes as they are called are a great collectible in any condition. Lower grades can recognise prices in the 100’s where better condition notes from say the Coombs Randall era will see valuations over $25,000. Specimen notes are another highly prized collectible but are a great deal harder to procure. John Petit a Sydney based dealer was reputed to have sold a $100 Type 4 Specimen recently for over $45,000. It really starts one to thinking about the benefits of note collecting over those of a regular superannuation fund.
Undoubtedly the Coombs / Randall notes of 1966, in any denomination are the ones to be on the lookout for given their low print runs. The last prefix 1966 XBS $20 dollar note only realised 200,000 in total and as such is listed at around $5,500 currently.
Overall Australian investment banknotes continue hold a strong investment potential and have been recognised in more recent times as a better investment than fine wine, property and taxi plates. Personally I find the entire spectrum of variance in numismatics, especially those associated with Australian coins and banknotes to be a wonderful hobby and more over a great way to personally mange my own retirement fund.
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