1992 $5 Note AB19 Last Prefix Fraser/Cole R214L Extremely Fine

1992 $5 Note AB19 Last Prefix Fraser/Cole R214L Extremely Fine

Front:  Elizabeth II at centre, Wattle at left

Back: Old and new Parliament houses

Period on Issue: 1992-1995

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This scarce polymer last prefix has a light bend and a few flicks.

 

In the years that shortly followed the introduction of Australia's second polymer note into circulation, the Reserve Bank of Australia made several changes to the way they were printed.

From 1993 onwards, all of Australia's circulating notes include a reference to the date within the serial prefix - the last 2 digits in the year are the two numbers in the serial prefix.

This means that the Fraser Cole mauve $5 notes were the last Australian banknotes to have a "random" serial number.

The RBA had also received feedback from some members of the general public that it was difficult to distinguish between the new polymer $5 and the paper $10 notes already in circulation.

The task of telling these notes apart was apparently even more difficult in poor lighting.

As a result, the Reserve Bank of Australia ceased production of the mauve polymer $5 notes and replaced them with a re-coloured version from June 1995.

The new re-coloured $5 notes featured two other major changes - the number "5" was made larger and bolder, and orientation bands were added to the top and bottom edges of the note.

The AB19 was probably among the first Australian polymer notes to really accelerate in value, along with the first and last prefixes of the Bicentennial $10 note. Once collectors learned their importance and just how rare they were, values accelerated quickly.

SKU

18897