Australian pound facts for kids

The Australian Pound was the official money used in Australia for many years. It was used from 1910 until 1966. Imagine a system where one Australian Pound was equal to 20 shillings. And each shilling was worth 12 pence!

In 1966, Australia changed its money system. The Australian Pound was replaced by the Australian dollar. This new dollar system was much simpler. One dollar was made up of 100 cents. When the change happened, 1 pound became 2 dollars. Also, 1 shilling turned into 10 cents, and 1 penny became 1 cent.

Coins of the Australian Pound

Before 1910, people in Australia used British coins. But in 1910, Australia started making its own silver coins. These new coins included florins, shillings, sixpences, and threepences. On one side, these coins showed a picture of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.

Types of Australian Pound Coins

The very next year, in 1911, Australia also started using its own pennies and half-pennies. Gold coins called sovereigns had been used before 1910. However, Australia stopped making these gold sovereigns in 1931.

A special coin called a crown was made between 1937 and 1938. This crown coin was worth five shillings. But people did not really like using them. So, you would not have seen them very often after 1940.

By the time 1966 arrived, many different coins were still in use. These included half pennies, pennies, threepences, sixpences, shillings, and florins.

Images for kids

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  City Bank of Sydney in Australia cancelled £20 banknote

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  Commonwealth of Australia, £A.1 (1918)

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  A corner grocery store in Sydney in 1934 with prices in shillings (/-) and pence (d).

See also

In Spanish: Libra australiana para niños