Australia’s central bank has announced the country’s new $5 note, which previously featured Queen Elizabeth II, will not include King Charles III but a design honoring Indigenous culture and history instead.
The note had traditionally featured Australia’s head of state, but with the change, there will not be any UK monarchs on any Australian banknotes.
Australia’s Reserve Bank said it “has a proud history of recognizing the culture and history of the First Australians”, adding it will consult with First Australians on the design, which will take a number of years to be designed and printed, the Guardian reported.
The other side of the note will continue to feature the Australian parliament, it said.
Here’s a brief history of Indigenous designs on Australia’s banknotes.
Australia’s First Ever $1 Banknote
One side of Australia’s first $1 banknote, which was issued in 1966, included imagery of Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings and designs.
They were based on a bark painting by Indigenous Australian Yolngu artist, David Malangi Daymirringu, according to the Reserve Bank.
Australia’s First $10 Polymer Commemorative Banknote
Australia’s first polymer banknote, a $10 note issued as a one-off commemorative version in 1988, also included examples of ancient and contemporary Aboriginal art on one side.
The designs “echo the appreciation of the art’s significance, both nationally and internationally,” according to the Australian Reserve Bank.
Aboriginal Activist Featured On Current Australian $50 Note
Australia’s current $50 banknote features Indigenous Ngarrindjeri author, activist, inventor, musician and preacher, David Unaipon.
The $5 banknote with the Queen includes the Forecourt Mosaic, a floor mosaic outside parliament house in Canberra.
It is based on an Australian Aboriginal dot painting by Indigenous Warlpiri artist Kumantje Jagamara.
