Information about legend: AUSTRALIA

On 1 January 1901, federation of the Australian colonies was achieved after a decade of planning, consultation and voting. This established the Commonwealth of Australia as a dominion of the British Empire. The new country introduced its own currency in 1910. In keeping with tradition, this coinage showed the legend of the (British) monarch on the obverse.

The pre-decimal coinage though showed the legend AUSTRALIA on the reverse from 1938 to 1964. On decimal coinage, the design of the copper penny is now used (with modifications) on a series of investment gold coins, as well as occasionally on non-circulating commemoratives.

The legend was also used before Federation, between 1853 and 1870, on the Australian Sovereign and Half Sovereign series issued in the colony of New South Wales - now revived as a Perth Mint bullion series.

AUSTRALIA on pre-decimal coinage

Australia / Penny 1956

Illustrated on this coin, the legend AUSTRALIA appears on the reverse of pre-decimal coins after the coinage re-design for King George VI.

The obverse is reserved for the monarch's legend.