What are Australian Specimen Banknotes?
An Australian specimen banknote is a test or sample banknote produced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to demonstrate the design and security features of new banknote issues before they are released into circulation. These banknotes are produced in limited quantities and are not intended for circulation.
Specimen banknotes are typically used by the RBA and other central banks as well as financial institutions to test equipment such as ATMs, banknote processing machines, and counterfeit detection devices. The banknotes are identical in design and security features to the banknotes that will be released into circulation, but they are often marked as “specimen” or “sample” and may have a different serial number or other identifying features to distinguish them from regular banknotes.
The use of specimen banknotes helps ensure the quality and security of Australian banknotes and provides a means for testing and refining banknote processing and counterfeit detection technology.
Why are Specimen Banknotes highly sought after by collectors?
Specimen banknotes are highly sought after by collectors for a few reasons.
Firstly, specimen banknotes are typically produced in limited quantities and are not intended for circulation. As a result, they are often rare and difficult to obtain, which makes them highly valued by collectors.
Secondly, specimen banknotes are identical in design and security features to the banknotes that will be released into circulation, except for the markings indicating that they are specimen banknotes. This means that collectors can obtain a unique and authentic piece of currency that represents the design and security features of a particular banknote issue.
Finally, the fact that specimen banknotes are used to test equipment such as ATMs, banknote processing machines, and counterfeit detection devices means that they are often in pristine condition. This makes them highly desirable for collectors who are interested in obtaining banknotes in mint condition.
Overall, specimen banknotes are highly valued by collectors because they are rare, authentic, and often in pristine condition, and provide a unique insight into the design and security features of Australian banknotes.
Category: Australian Commonwealth Specimen Banknotes. Historical Notation: This Extremely rare Commonwealth Bank of Australia combined with Australian Dollars and Sterling Currency. The Presentation set was issued in 1966, primarily to introduce International Banks with the focus on English banks as to what our Specimen Travellers cheques would appear. The Commonwealth Bank in 1966 was the [...]
Coombs/Wilson Two Dollar FAA 000 000 Specimen Banknote Type 1. Circa 1966