History Displayed on our Currency

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Because of the interest and comments on Australian currency recently I thought I'd write about each of our notes with some explanation of what is on each one. I was surprised that many thought Australian notes were attractive. I guess I hadn't considered that some currencies might have very plain notes. The current $50 note is of yellow polymer and measures 151cms x 65cms. It features the portraits of David Unaipon and Edith Cowan. It was released in 1973. The front features a portrait of David Unaipon, Ruakkan Church and drawings of his inventions. Also shown is an extract from the original manuscript of his 'Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines'. Unaipon was sometimes called the Leonardo da Vinci of Australia and was well-known as a preacher, inventor and writer. Unaipon took out provisional patents for 19 inventions but could not afford to carry through with any of them. He was hugely influential in his time but because of his colour, faced much discrimination. Edith Cowan, on the reverse side of the note, was elected to the Western Australian parliament in 1920 thus becoming Australia's first female member of any Australian parliament. Also on this side of the note is a picture of WA's Parliament House and an illustration of a foster mother and children. The clear window on the note has the Southern Cross star formation printed on it and the number '50'. This can be seen under a UV light. The two serial numbers are in different fonts, different colours and glow under UV light. A shadow image of the Australian coat-of-arms also appears. And just an update on the new $5 notes that in circulation – they may yet need to be recalled as part of the surface comes off if rubbed. Back to the drawing board it seems.