The 60th anniversary of Australia’s decimal currency (introduced 14 February 1966) will occur this year, marked by the continued integration of the dollar/cent system. This anniversary isn’t just about coins; it’s about Australia’s identity as a modern nation.

For those of us, old enough to be there, you will remember the famous “Dollar Bill” public education campaign featuring a cartoon character that helped everyone navigate the conversion from pound, shillings and pence to dollar and cents. The campaign included television and radio advertisements featuring the characters of Dollar Bill and Mr Pound explaining decimal currency to Australians. The radio recording features a catchy jingle, ‘Out with the Old and in with the New’, sung to the tune of the Australian folksong ‘Click Go the Shears’.

This year the Royal Australian Mint has issued a one-dollar coin that celebrates Australian decimal currency by stylishly combining the design elements from all the eight coins.