Shilling (Australian)

Shilling

Australia
Value	Pre-decimal: 1⁄20 Australian pound Decimal: 0.10 Australian dollar
Mass	5.65 g
Diameter	23.5 mm (0.925 in)
Edge	Round (milled)
Composition	92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (1910–1944). 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% zinc, 5% nickel (1946–1963)
Circulation	1910–1963
Obverse
Design	Visage of King Edward VII
Designer	George W. De Saules
Design used	1910
Design discontinued	1911
Design	Visage of King George V
Designer	Sir Edgar B Mackennal
Design used	1911
Design discontinued	1936
Design	Visage of King George VI
Designer	Thomas H. Paget
Design used	1938
Design discontinued	1952
Design	Visage of Queen Elizabeth II
Designer	Mary Gillick
Design used	1953
Design discontinued	1963
Reverse
Design	Australian coat of arms (1908)
Designer	William Henry James Blakemore
Design used	1910
Design discontinued	1936
Design	Merino Ram's head
Designer	George Kruger Gray
Design used	1938
Design discontinued	1963

The shilling, informally called a "bob", was a type of silver coinage issued by the Commonwealth of Australia, that circulated prior to the decimalisation of Australian coinage. The Australian shilling was derived from the British pre-decimal sterling pound system (the British shilling) and was first issued following the passing of the Australian Coinage Act 1909,^[1] which established Australia's first formal currency system. The shilling was issued as part of Australia's silver coinage, which included the two-shilling (florin), the sixpence and the threepence. The shilling was minted from 1910 until 1963. During this period there was one significant modification to the design of the Australian shilling, the change in its reverse design, which occurred in 1938 when the design was altered from the Australian coat of arms (1910–1936) to the visage of a Merino ram's head (1938–1963).^[2]

The design of the Australian shilling was originally meant to mimic the design of the British shilling; however, there were specific design changes that were implemented that created some distinction between the two coins. The mintage of Australian shillings increased after it was first issued, as in the first few years of its production one thousand shillings were produced per annum, whilst towards the end of the shilling's issuance, this amount increased to around ten thousand shillings per annum.

In accordance with the transition towards the decimalisation of Australia's currency, the shilling was no longer issued after 1963 along with other silver coins such as the sixpence, and two-shilling coins. On 14 February 1966 these Australian silver coins (along with the rest of Australia's pre decimal coinage) were slowly phased out over time in accordance with the Currency Act 1965.^[3][4]