Rare pairing of 1985 $50 Johnston/Fraser banknotes.
Includes Gothic serials (R509a) and OCR-B serials (R509b).
Both notes in pristine Uncirculated condition.
Features portraits of Sir Howard Florey and Sir Ian Clunies Ross.
A unique opportunity to compare two distinct serial typography styles.
Specifications
Quality
Uncirculated
Banknote Type
Paper
Country of Issue
Australia
Denomination
$50
Issued By
Reserve Bank of Australia
Delivery and Shipping
In-stock orders are typically dispatched within 14 days. Please allow approximately 2–3 weeks from purchase for delivery within Australia and 3–6 weeks internationally.
Tracking will be provided once your order has been dispatched.
Dual Beauty from Australia’s Paper Currency Heritage
Presenting a rare and remarkable pairing: the 1985 $50 Johnston/Fraser banknotes, one with Gothic-style serials (R509a) and the other with OCR-B style serials (R509b). Both notes are in uncirculated condition, offering collectors not just pristine examples of design and print quality, but also a chance to compare two distinct serial typography styles from the same issue.
Each note carries the signature combination Johnston/Fraser, and features the well-known portraits: Sir Howard Walter Florey, Nobel laureate pathologist, on the obverse, and Sir Ian Clunies Ross, eminent scientist of CSIRO, on the reverse. The pairing is especially striking: Gothic serials evoke a more traditional, ornate character; OCR-B serials lean into a clean, mechanical, modern machine-readable style. Together they encapsulate both artistry and print-technology evolution in Australian currency.
Meticulously preserved in uncirculated state, this pair is an exceptional offering for banknote collectors, currency connoisseurs, or anyone who values both history and aesthetic nuance. Whether framed, stored, or part of a series, these sister notes are both rare and resonant.
Payment & Security
Payment methods
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
NOT WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
Let us know what you’re searching for and our team will see if we can source it for you.
Dual Beauty from Australia’s Paper Currency Heritage
Presenting a rare and remarkable pairing: the 1985 $50 Johnston/Fraser banknotes, one with Gothic-style serials (R509a) and the other with OCR-B style serials (R509b). Both notes are in uncirculated condition, offering collectors not just pristine examples of design and print quality, but also a chance to compare two distinct serial typography styles from the same issue.
Each note carries the signature combination Johnston/Fraser, and features the well-known portraits: Sir Howard Walter Florey, Nobel laureate pathologist, on the obverse, and Sir Ian Clunies Ross, eminent scientist of CSIRO, on the reverse. The pairing is especially striking: Gothic serials evoke a more traditional, ornate character; OCR-B serials lean into a clean, mechanical, modern machine-readable style. Together they encapsulate both artistry and print-technology evolution in Australian currency.
Meticulously preserved in uncirculated state, this pair is an exceptional offering for banknote collectors, currency connoisseurs, or anyone who values both history and aesthetic nuance. Whether framed, stored, or part of a series, these sister notes are both rare and resonant.
