We Sell Rare Uncirculated Five Dollar Paper Banknotes

Australian Banknotes Book

The introduction of decimal currency to Australia in 1966 was unequivocally one of the biggest changes ever made to the Australian monetary system.

Australian 5 dollar notes were not printed in paper until 1967, but were in use right up until they were replaced by polymer notes in 1992.

The designs of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and Caroline Chisholm on the other were one of the few combinations in the world to feature only women on them.

Some five dollar notes can be particularly valuable with the right serial numbers or if in mint condition, as is discontinued currency, reaching up to $6,500 for the rarest Australian $5 note.

Discontinued currency, such as notes that are no longer in circulation, often hold significant value for collectors. Notes with the first or last prefix are particularly sought after due to their unique characteristics.

The 3 decades over which paper decimal banknotes were produced provides collectors with a large variety of notes to collect, as well as a number of different ways of accumulating them. Notes with narrow orientation bands, especially those with the serial prefix 'HC 95', can be valued significantly higher, from $1,625 to $1,850.

Australia’s transition to polymer technology in the 1990s resulted in a vast increase in the number of collectors of paper decimal banknotes. The new Parliament House, depicted on these notes, adds to their significance with its architectural details and historical importance. The nominal value of the $5 polymer note released in 1995 is far exceeded by its current collector's value.

Collectors go on to purchase rarer and higher quality notes, with factors such as specific prefixes, discontinued currency, or ones with errors contributing to the value of a rare banknote. The innovative security features incorporated into the design of the $5 banknote, such as specific species of Australian wattle and native birds, help prevent counterfeiting.

Sir Henry Parkes is featured on a commemorative $5 banknote celebrating the Centenary of Federation. Additionally, the signature of Treasury secretary Ted Evans on a specific rare $5 polymer note released in 1995 adds to its uniqueness and value.