Shilling (Australian)

Shilling
Australia
ValuePre-decimal: 120 Australian pound
Decimal: 0.10 Australian dollar
Mass5.65 g
Diameter23.5 mm (0.925 in)
EdgeRound (milled)
Composition92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (1910–1944). 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% zinc, 5% nickel (1946–1963)
Circulation1910–1963
Obverse
DesignVisage of King Edward VII
DesignerGeorge W. De Saules
Design used1910
Design discontinued1911
DesignVisage of King George V
DesignerSir Edgar B Mackennal
Design used1911
Design discontinued1936
DesignVisage of King George VI
DesignerThomas H. Paget
Design used1938
Design discontinued1952
DesignVisage of Queen Elizabeth II
DesignerMary Gillick
Design used1953
Design discontinued1963
Reverse
DesignAustralian coat of arms (1908)
DesignerWilliam Henry James Blakemore
Design used1910
Design discontinued1936
DesignMerino Ram's head
DesignerGeorge Kruger Gray
Design used1938
Design discontinued1963

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]

  1. ^ Commonwealth of Australia (1 September 1909). "Coinage: No. 6 of 1909. An Act relating to Currency, Coinage, and Legal Tender" (PDF). Retrieved 7 January 2022 – via Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII). This Act may be cited as the Coinage Act 1909. [Short title]
  2. ^ Royal Australian Mint, n.d. Before decimal currency – what did Australia use, p.1.
  3. ^ Reserve Bank of Australia, 2021.
  4. ^ "Currency Act 1965 [series]". Federal Register of Legislation. Australian Government. 10 December 1965. Retrieved 12 January 2022.