1991 25th Anniversary Archival Banknote Presentation Set

Matching Australia’s Last Prefix predecimal banknotes with their First Prefix decimal counterparts, the 1991 25th Anniversary Archival Banknote Presentation Set is recognised as the most valuable, most historic Australian banknote collection ever issued.

Looking to create the ultimate tribute to the 25th anniversary of the decimal changeover, the Reserve Bank of Australia dug deep within the Australian National Archives. The result was the 1991 25th Anniversary Archival Banknote Presentation Set. Each set features the four predecimal banknote denominations (10/-, £1, £5 & £10) united with the four decimal denominations issued in 1966 – the $1, $2, $10 & $20. Issued under Australia’s most enduring signature combination, Coombs/Wilson, the predecimal notes carry the LAST PREFIXES of the predecimal series, whilst the decimal notes featured the FIRST PREFIXES of the decimal series!

Even more astounding, the notes are matched by the last three digits in the low serial numbers! Notes carrying First or Last Prefixes are always high on the serious banknote collector’s hit-list, but never more so than when carrying matching, low serial numbers. A fitting standard of presentation, preserving the strictly Uncirculated quality of the notes for the long-term, this spellbinding set is housed within a magnificent 23-page, leather-bound album.

One of Australia’s most desirable collector issues, the 1991 25th Anniversary Archival Banknote Presentation Set is seldom seen on the market. The RBA was able to assemble a mere 800 sets, but even that tiny limited edition does not reveal the true rarity of this collection. With many sets broken up, and the notes sold individually, we rarely have the opportunity to present this prized collector item.