Type One
Type 1 specimen notes contain the word SPECIMEN within an oval located in the watermark area. The notes come from 208 booklets
produced specially for the changeover to decimal currency. Two notes of each of the 5 denominations
– $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 – were lightly glued in the booklet to show the front and back of each note.
Even though not included in the original issues, provision was made for the $5 note (with the Coombs/Randall signature
combination) which was introduced a year later in 1967.
Type Two
Type 2 specimen notes have the word SPECIMEN in medium red type printed diagonally 8 times on each side of the note. Unlike the type
1 specimens, they were distributed as individual notes and not in booklets. Each of the 5 denominations
– $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 –
were issued, the $5 note (with the Coombs/Randall signature combination) being introduced a year later in 1967. These notes were
often used for display purposes in banks and other public places and are commonly found with pinholes where they were mounted.
Type Three
Type 3 specimen notes, released specifically to demonstrate the change in the legend from COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA to AUSTRALIA,
have the word SPECIMEN in very large outline type printed diagonally twice on each side of the note, with the added inscription of
NO VALUE in medium type in the watermark area. Each note also carries an individual specimen serial number.
The notes were distributed as individual notes in each of the 6 denominations
– $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and $50.
Lot 210 at the International Auction Galleries Auction 70 held on 13th September, 2009
was a Type 3 £10 specimen note - graded UNC - which realised a price of $203,875.
Type Four
Type 4 Polymer specimen notes were released to demonstrate the new note designs with the change from paper to a polymer composition.
The change was brought about to prolong the circulation life of the notes and to incorporate new security features, making counterfeit note production
extremely difficult. The notes are similar to the type 3 specimen notes, with each having an individual specimen serial number apart from the
all zeros main number. However, the lettering for the word 'SPECIMEN' is much more subdued, appearing only in medium type below the
denomination on the note, apparently so that the main design could be better examined and appreciated.
The notes were distributed as individual notes in each of the 5 denominations
– $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
Lot 3569 at the Noble Numismatics Sale 89 held on 25th November, 2008
was a Type 4 $5 Polymer specimen note[Mc DS30] - graded UNC - which realised a price of $29,125.
Lot 3568 at the Noble Numismatics Sale 89 held on 25th November, 2008
was a Type 4 $10 Polymer specimen note[Mc DS29] - graded UNC - which realised a price of $23,387.
Lot 3570 at the Noble Numismatics Sale 89 held on 25th November, 2008
was a Type 4 $10 Polymer specimen note[Mc DS31] - graded UNC - which realised a price of $29,125.
Lot 3571 at the Noble Numismatics Sale 89 held on 25th November, 2008
was a Type 4 $20 Polymer specimen note[Mc DS32] - graded UNC - which realised a price of $40,775.
Lot 3572 at the Noble Numismatics Sale 89 held on 25th November, 2008
was a Type 4 $50 Polymer specimen note[Mc DS33] - graded UNC - which realised a price of $29,125.
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