ABC – Most Australians have never seen any other face on their coins other than that of Queen Elizabeth II.
For decades her image has been a small reminder of Australia’s connection to the royal family and its status as a constitutional monarchy.
But that connection to royalty, and the need for physical currency in day-to-day life, is weakening in the 21st century.
So, with a new monarch on the throne, what will happen to the money?
Queens, kings and emperors have had their heads stamped on coins since ancient times.
But Queen Elizabeth II appeared on money more than any other person in history.
Her face was on coins in 35 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth nations.
Her face also appears on banknotes including Australia’s $5 note and the now defunct $1 note.
Queen Elizabeth’s father King George VI appeared on the back of all Australian coins and bank notes — then pounds, shillings and pence.
Seventeen artists were invited to submit designs, and of those, two sculptors were chosen to have sittings with the Queen. They were 71-year-old Mary Gillick and 67-year-old Cecil Thomas.
In the end, Gillick triumphed with her “fresh” and “approachable” rendering of the young monarch with a laurel wreath in her hair, instead of a crown on her head.
Change the Queen’s face?
The Queen’s effigy was updated in 1966 when Australia switched to decimal currency and again in 1985 and 1998 to mark the progression of her reign. The most recent change was in 2019. Each time it evolved the artists added their own personal touches, switching the crowns, adding jewellery and etching in wrinkles as the Queen aged.
What happens to the head on the coin now? New coins will need to be designed to bear an effigy of King Charles III. In line with past practice, Australian coins will use an effigy of the King supplied by the UK Royal Mint.
However, there will be one slight difference — he will face left.
This is a tradition that dates back to the reign of Charles II in the 1600s, which dictates that each new king or queen must alternate the direction of their gaze.
Charles III to be on coins
In recent months, Australia’s Treasury has been working with the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint to plan for the change of effigy on Australian coins.
The transition to Australian coins being minted with an effigy of King Charles III is expected to gradually occur in the period ahead.
And the Royal Australian Mint expects Charles III to be on coins in 2023.
But as the transition may take some time, coins bearing the late Queen’s effigy may continue to be minted.
As existing coins bearing the late Queen remain legal tender, coins with the effigy of either sovereign will co-mingle in circulation.
What about the $5 note?
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says it is tradition for the monarch to appear on the lowest denomination of Australian banknotes.
This wasn’t always the case — King George VI actually appeared on all Australian banknotes during his reign. But after his death, it was decided it was easier for the monarch to only appear on one.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
