2016 $5 Note Stevens / Fraser AA16 First Prefix R224F Uncirculated

Front: New Parliament House

Back: Queen Elizabeth II at centre 

Period on Issue: 2016 - 2018

This is one of the very 1st notes printed in this innovative and attractive series.

Work on Australia's Next Generation Banknote (NGB) series began in 2007, and came to fruition on September 1st 2016, when the first note in the series, the $5 note, was released into circulation across the country.

The NGB notes include at least eight new security features that have been designed to ensure that Australia's currency notes remain safe from counterfeiters. These new design characteristics are nothing less than incredible, and there is no doubt that the technology behind them will be exported right around the world for years to come. A number of difficult technical challenges had to be solved before these security features could be included, which shows that manufacturing innovation remains alive and well in Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released two numismatic products to mark this important occasion - the first was a coloured folder that contained a single Uncirculated NGB $5 note, the second was a coloured folder that contained an Uncirculated NGB $5 note coupled with one of the last "1st Generation" $5 notes that it replaced.

Unfortunately for the collectors that care about such things, the RBA chose to include standard notes in these folders - the serial numbers and prefixes were exactly the same as those that could be obtained out of circulation. Although the folders are reasonably limited in nature, and can only be obtained from the RBA and selected retailers, collectors are far more interested in obtaining exclusive notes than fancy packaging. A collector market quickly developed for certain serial prefixes - prices for the most popular prefixes boomed in the first couple of weeks that these notes were in circulation, some were selling for up to $150 each.

First prefix notes have long been favoured by collectors as being the best notes to set aside, as they can be clearly identified as being among the very first printed.

The NGB $5 was of course released in 2016, so the first prefix for this note is AA16. Each of the AA16 first prefix notes that we have available is crisp and original, and is devoid of any flicks or folds.

They are perfect to set aside as a memento of the introduction of these historic notes, and are sure to be in demand with collectors for many years to come.

SKU: 20184