Decimal Coins PageHistoryEditVisual Text <p>The Decimal coinage system (dollars and cents) was introduced to Australian on 14 February 1966. At the time 6 coins were issued, the 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, and the short-lived round 50 cent coin. All the coins bore the Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and reverse designs sculpted by Stuart Devlin. Because of the need for sufficient coinage for the changeover to the decimal system in 1966 coins were minted at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, and the Royal Mint branches in Melbourne, Perth, and London. Only the round 50 cent coin was solely minted in Australia.</p> <p><strong>Decimal Coins in 1981</strong></p> <p>In 1981 Australian decimal coins were minted on 3 different continents & in 4 different cities.</p> <ul> <li>Royal Australian Mint (RAM).Canberra</li> <li>Royal Mint (RM).Perth</li> <li>Royal Canadian Mint (RCM). Canada</li> <li>Royal Mint (RMLL). Llantrisant, Wales</li> </ul> <p>Each of these mints manufactured a number of different coins as explained below.</p> <ul> <li>1 Cent coins were minted in Canberra & Wales.</li> <li>2 Cent coins were minted in Canberra, Perth & Wales.</li> <li>5 Cent coins were minted in Canberra, Wales & Canada.</li> <li>10 Cent coins were minted in Canberra & Wales.</li> <li>20 Cent coins were minted in Canberra, Wales & Canada.</li> <li>50 Cent coins were minted in Canberra & Wales.</li> </ul> <p>Apart from 1966, more coins collectively, were minted in 1981 then any other year.</p> Cancel
