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Aussie Decimal Currency Trivia Quiz

No nickel and dime stuff here, folks! This quiz is about the decimal money of Australia. The first five questions are about the coins, and the last five will cover the banknotes.

A multiple-choice quiz by ozzz2002. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ozzz2002

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
180,043

Updated
Oct 29 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2574

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Australian decimal currency were released to the public on which notable day in 1966? Hint

Anzac Day- April 25

Christmas Day- December 25

St Valentine's Day- February 14

Australia Day- January 26

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which coin values, that were in the initial issue, were discontinued in 1990? Hint

One and two cents

Half a cent and two cents

Half a cent and one cent

Half a cent, one cent and two cents

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Question 3 of 10

3. The 1966 fifty cent piece differs from all subsequent issues in which aspects? Hint

Shape and metallic composition

Metallic composition only

Shape only

None- the first fifty cent coin was not issued until 1969

4. In 2001, the Royal Australian Mint issued a general release of twenty and fifty cents coins celebrating the centenary of Australian federation. How many coins of each denomination were there? Hint

9 x 20c, 10 x 50c

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which Australian coin has the lyre-bird on the reverse (tails) side? Hint

five cents

ten cents

twenty cents

twenty five cents

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many different denominations of Australian banknotes were issued in the first year of decimal currency? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. What words were printed across the top of all decimal banknotes in the period from 1966 to 1972? Hint

Australia

Royal Australian Mint

Legal Tender of Australia

Commonwealth of Australia

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Question 8 of 10

8. What world 'first' did the Australian banknote issue of 1992 establish? Hint

The notes were made from polymer plastic, not paper

Australian notes became legal tender in another country- New Zealand

The notes incorporated the issue date into the serial number

Values were also 'punched' in Braille, for the benefit of blind people

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Question 9 of 10

9. All Australian decimal notes have signatures of two high ranking officials printed on them. Which two official position-holders are they? Hint

Prime Minister and Finance Minister

Governor of the Reserve Bank and Secretary of the Treasury

Prime Minister and Governor of the Reserve Bank

Secretary of the Treasury and Managing Director, Note Printing Australia

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Question 10 of 10

10. If you had one of each of the general issue notes and coins in circulation at the start of 2004, how much money would you have? Hint

$191.88

$188.85

$185.50

$183.88

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Australian decimal currency were released to the public on which notable day in 1966?

Answer: St Valentine's Day- February 14

Prior to this date, Australia operated on the same system as the UK at that time - pounds, shillings and pence. A sixpence was revalued at five cents, a shilling (12 pence) became ten cents, and a pound changed from twenty shillings to two dollars.

2. Which coin values, that were in the initial issue, were discontinued in 1990?

Answer: One and two cents

A half a cent never existed. The one and two cent coins were made of a cupro-nickel alloy, and the five cent piece became the smallest denomination coin. All prices were rounded to the nearest five cent value. The one cent coin depicted the feather-tailed glider (a tiny marsupial), while the two cent had a frill-necked lizard on the 'tails' side.

3. The 1966 fifty cent piece differs from all subsequent issues in which aspects?

Answer: Shape and metallic composition

The first fifty cent coin was round, and was made with 80% silver. The second issue, in 1969, was the first of the dodecagonal (12-sided) coins, and was made from a mixture of copper and nickel. Many people hoarded the original coins during the silver boom in the early 1980s, hoping to make a fortune.

The bottom fell out of the silver market a few years later, but the coin is still very collectable.

4. In 2001, the Royal Australian Mint issued a general release of twenty and fifty cents coins celebrating the centenary of Australian federation. How many coins of each denomination were there?

Answer: 9 x 20c, 10 x 50c

Coins were issued showing the coat of arms of the six states, plus issues showing the coat of arms of the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island. The 50-cent series also included a Commonwealth issue. If you find any of these coins in your change, I would advise that you hang on to them- in uncirculated condition, they are worth a lot more than face value! As well as the Federations coins, generic 20- and 50-cent coins were issued, along with a 20 cent to commemorate Sir Donald Bradman.

5. Which Australian coin has the lyre-bird on the reverse (tails) side?

Answer: ten cents

Australia has never issued a 25-cent coin. The lyre-bird is so named because of the shape of its tail- it resembles the lyre, an ancient musical instrument. It is a very secretive bird, and is also a superb mimic.

6. How many different denominations of Australian banknotes were issued in the first year of decimal currency?

Answer: 4

The only notes issued in 1966 were the one dollar, two dollar, ten dollar and twenty dollar. The five dollar note was released the following year. The one dollar note was replaced by the one dollar coin in 1984, and the two dollar was also replaced by a coin, in 1988. The fifty dollar note was introduced in 1973, and the hundred dollar bill was released in 1984.

7. What words were printed across the top of all decimal banknotes in the period from 1966 to 1972?

Answer: Commonwealth of Australia

'Commonwealth of Australia' was replaced by the single word 'Australia' for the 1973 issue.

8. What world 'first' did the Australian banknote issue of 1992 establish?

Answer: The notes were made from polymer plastic, not paper

The advantages soon became obvious. Firstly, the circulation life of the note was extended significantly- some of the lower value paper notes only lasted six months before they had to be withdrawn from circulation; the plastic notes last for many years. Secondly, the new notes had many anti-counterfeit devices inbuilt, including transparent holographic windows, shadowed images and raised embossing. Other advantages include water-proofability, cleanliness and lower production costs.

There was a special issue of a polymer $10 note for the Australian Bicentennial in 1988, but this was a one-off.

9. All Australian decimal notes have signatures of two high ranking officials printed on them. Which two official position-holders are they?

Answer: Governor of the Reserve Bank and Secretary of the Treasury

In collector circles, many notes are simply referred to by these signatures- for example, the issues between 1966 and 1968 are Coombs/Randall, and from 1969 to 1971 are known as the Phillips/Randall notes.

10. If you had one of each of the general issue notes and coins in circulation at the start of 2004, how much money would you have?

Answer: $188.85

Notes are- $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. Total $185

Coins are- $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Total $3.85

I hope you enjoyed my quiz, and feel free to contact me for further information.

Source: Author ozzz2002

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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