On behalf of all employees at Note Printing Australia, we extend our sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and recognise and respect her life of outstanding public service.
As the Commonwealth’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has a unique and enduring place in Australia’s currency. She has been present on Australian banknotes for the last 70 years: featuring on the £1 issued in 1953, on the $1 in Australia’s first decimal series on paper issued in 1966, the $5 in Australia’s first polymer series issued in 1992, and the $5 in Australia’s second polymer series issued in 2016.
These portraits are part of a wide-ranging portfolio that recognised the Queen as Head of State throughout her reign and appear on the currency of more than 30 nations throughout the Commonwealth. These portraits vary in the image used and in the designer's treatment of that image.
Her portrait on the £1 note was in profile. Her likeness was designed by artist Napier Waller and created in plaster by sculptor Lesley Bowles.
On Australia’s first decimal series on paper in 1966, the Queen’s portrait was designed and engraved by Gordon Andrews.
When Australia’s first polymer bank note series was issued in 1992, the Queen‘s portrait appeared on the $5 and was designed and engraved by Bruce Stewart.
Australia second polymer banknotes series used the same portrait, which was reinterpreted by artist and engraver Robert Cook and issued in 2016.
In the recently released RBA Museum video Portraits of Value, Robert describes the challenges and inspirations of creating portraits for the entire second polymer banknote series but names his favourite portrait as the Queen’s.
“There was a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for the new series and the first portrait to be created and set the tone for the whole series. But of course, it’s the Queen so it was proud moment to represent someone of her stature,” says Robert, who is currently Design Manager at NPA.
“You see many references of the Queen on banknotes around the world so you're in esteemed company to be able to deliver something like that.”