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POCKET GUIDE TO AUSTRALIAN BANKNOTES 4 The Reinvention of BanknotesTHE AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION OF POLYMER BANKNOTES

New Note Series | 1988, 1992–1996

Multi-coloured and multi-directional patterns of fine lines appear on each banknote. Under ultraviolet light, the serial numbers on the back of the banknote glow and a patch showing the value of the banknote becomes visible. The banknotes' intaglio printing, used for the portraits and selected design elements, results in a distinctive texture.

The banknotes for the New Note Series were printed in Craigieburn, Victoria, by Note Printing Australia, a separately incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank.

$5

Queen Elizabeth II by John Lawrence, photograph, 1984.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, P12/272.

Front of the $5 banknote showing Queen Elizabeth II, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a gum flower; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in July 1992.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, 16/2683.

Back of the $5 banknote, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate with a clear window depicting a gum flower; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in July 1992.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, 16/2683.

The $5 banknote received a mixed public response. Disappointment was expressed at the loss of Caroline Chisholm's portrait, including from then Prime Minister, Paul Keating. In April 1995, a more brightly coloured $5 banknote was issued to distinguish it more clearly from the $10 banknote.

Front of the $5 banknote showing Queen Elizabeth II, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a gum flower; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in April 1995.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, 18/73812.

Back of the $5 banknote, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a gum flower; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in April 1995.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73805.

$10

The cover of the sheet music for the song, Waltzing Matilda, adapted for the $10 banknote.

State Library of New South Wales.

Photograph of Banjo Paterson used to advertise his lectures on the Boer War and adapted for the $10 banknote.

Newspix.

Front of the $10 banknote, showing Banjo Paterson, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a windmill; concept design by Max Robinson, first issued in November 1993.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73807.

Photograph of Mary Gilmore adapted for the $10 banknote.

Newspix.

William Dobell, Portrait of Dame Mary Gilmore, oil on hardboard, 1957.

Art Gallery of New South Wales. ©Courtesy Sir William Dobell Art Foundation.

Back of the $10 banknote, showing Dame Mary Gilmore, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a windmill; concept design by Max Robinson, first issued in November 1993.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73816.

$20

Mary Reibey by an unknown artist, watercolour on ivory, circa 1835.

State Library of NSW.

Front of the $20 banknote, showing Mary Reibey, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a compass; concept design by Garry Emery, first issued in October 1994.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73808.

Photograph of the Reverend John National Library of Australia. Flynn, circa 1929, from Australian Inland Mission Collection.

National Library of Australia.

Photograph of the Reverend Coledge Harland, on one of John Flynn's ‘Padre Patrols’, 1919.

National Library of Australia.

Back of the $20 banknote, showing the Reverend John Flynn, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a compass; concept design by Garry Emery, first issued in October 1994.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73819.

$50

David Unaipon, diagram of his 1909 improved mechanical handpiece for sheep shearing, drawn for Herbert Basedow in 1914.

State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy Ms Judy Kropinyieri.

Photograph of David Unaipon, 1938, adapted for the $50 banknote.

State Library of South Australia.

Front of the $50 banknote, showing David Unaipon, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting the Southern Cross; concept design by Brian Sadgrove, first issued in October 1995.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73810.

Photograph of Parliament House, Perth, 1918.

State Library of Western Australia.

Photograph of Edith Cowan, 1921

State Library of Western Australia.

Back of the $50 banknote, showing Edith Cowan, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting the Southern Cross; concept design by Brian Sadgrove, first issued in October 1995.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73825.

The denominations of the banknotes continued the selection of colours from the previous decimal series, with the exception of the $100. The pale grey and blue tones of the first $100 banknote were considered unsuitable from the perspective of security and accessibility by those with impaired vision. As the $2 banknote had been replaced by a coin in 1988, its green colour was adapted for the new $100 banknote.

$100

Front of the $100 banknote, showing Dame Nellie Melba, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a lyrebird; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in May 1996.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73811.

Members of the Australian Field Artillery using an 18 pounder gun in action at Noreuil Valley attacking the Hindenberg Line, during the battle for Bullecourt, c. 1917.

Australian War Memorial.

Back of the $100 banknote, showing Sir John Monash, offset and intaglio printing on polymer substrate, with a clear window depicting a lyrebird; concept design by Bruce Stewart, first issued in May 1996.

Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D18/73827.

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