Symbolising the greatest change in Australia’s monetary history – the changeover to decimal currency in February 1966 – Downies is proud to present the 1966 Uncirculated 6-Coin Year Set!

Although decimalisation had been contemplated since Federation in 1901, the issue was only seriously addressed in the 1950s. Promises to modify the predecimal system were made during the 1958 election campaign, and in 1963, the then Treasurer Harold Holt announced that Australia would convert to decimal currency.

Designed by numismatic master craftsman Stuart Devlin, and enshrining our beloved native animals in official legal tender, Australia’s first decimal coin issue comprised the 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c & 20c, united with the alleged ‘glamour’ coin of the changeover, the Silver Round 50c. Australia’s only circulating precious metal decimal coin, and only round 50c, the 1966 Silver 50c was a coin of much controversy.

Struck from 80% fine silver, soaring metal prices ensured the rapid demise of the 1966 50c. Hoarded away, or sentenced to the melting pot, with the intrinsic value outstripping the face value, this coin simply vanished from circulation. The next 50c, unveiled in 1969 after a lengthy period of debate, was neither silver nor round, rendering the 1966 50c a unique, one-year-only type.

The first dates of the Australian decimal coinage series, the 1966 Uncirculated 6-Coin Year Set forms a permanent record of a crucial juncture in Australian history. Importantly, with so many decades having passed since issue, all six coins are scarce in the strictly Uncirculated quality seen here.

As a result, we have a limited number of sets available – don’t miss this opportunity! Click add to cart now!