News & Research
Australian Rare Coin News & Research
We research and write regularly about the history and rarity of the items we handle. We write about news in the Australian numismatic market as it unfolds. We also write on what it takes to be a successful collector.
Explore the links on the left-hand side to see what we've covered in the past - if we haven't written about your exact area of interest yet, please click this link to let us know - we'll keep your request in mind when planning future articles.
2022-05-31 00:00:00
And All I Had To Do Was Ask
May 31, 2022 | Andrew Crellin
I've long known that I have valuable information and expertise that people want, yet for a long time I couldn't work out a way of consistently getting paid to deliver it.
When I first started in business, eager and energetic, I needed to grow and so I pitched for whatever work ...
2021-12-23 00:00:00
Australia's 1916 Specimen Coin Set - The Nation Adapts to the Ravages of War
December 23, 2021 | Andrew Crellin
The 1916 specimen coin set is a truly exclusive representation of the first Australian coins struck on Australian soil. It embodies a major milestone in Australia’s economic security, one that was brought forward by the ravages of WWI. Just 60 of these sets were produced, only 41 were ever d...
2021-09-27 10:34:00
The 1922 Indian Obverse Penny Is The First Copper Coin That Can be Definitively Attributed to the Perth Mint
September 27, 2021 | Andrew Crellin
Australia’s monetary system was under a great deal of strain in the early 1920’s – the population was growing strongly, and the national economy was recovering following the end of World War I.
As a result, vast numbers of pennies and halfpennies were minted each year to keep pace with ...
2020-12-16 00:00:00
Focus on Last Prefix Notes Rather than First Prefix Notes
December 16, 2020 | Andrew Crellin
When it comes to collecting Australian banknotes, there are two key types of notes that will add value to your collection - first prefix and last prefix banknotes. While it would seem obvious that first prefix banknotes, i.e. the first notes printed in a series, are more valuable, most often it’s...
2020-12-16 00:00:00
How to Tell When an Australian Polymer Banknote Was Printed
December 24, 2020 | Andrew Crellin
The first Australian polymer banknotes were printed in 1988 to mark Australia’s bicentenary. It was a $10 commemorative note and set the stage for the gradual transition to polymer notes to replace the paper banknotes we had used since the 1966 introduction of decimal currency.
The firs...
2020-12-16 00:00:00
How to Tell When an Australian Paper Banknote Was Printed
July 23, 2021 | Andrew Crellin
Australian paper decimal banknotes were first introduced in Febuary 1966. From 1988 - 1996 they were gradually replaced by their polymer cousins.
Determining the year Au...
2020-12-16 00:00:00
Why Consecutive Serial Number Banknotes Don't Matter
December 24, 2020 | Andrew Crellin
Imagine your good fortune when you go to an ATM and end up with a stack of crisp $20 notes in your hand. As any keen collector would, you check the serial numbers. One by one, your pulse starts to quicken as you realise you have found yourself a set of consecutive serial number banknotes. ...
2020-12-15 00:00:00
First and Last Prefix Banknotes - Making the Generic Specific
December 23, 2020 | Andrew Crellin
No two collectors are the same. Some are happy to add any note with value or significance to their collection, while others are very specific and selective with the notes they collect or buy. Often it comes down to seeking out something exclusive that no-one else has.
Since the late 199...