Front Description:

Genuine uncut vertical pair of Australian Five Dollar polymer banknotes, issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia, dated 1996. Printed in pink, mauve and purple on polymer substrate, with the two notes joined in an uncut vertical pair, the full sheet margins retained.

The face of each note carries a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at centre, shown in three-quarter view wearing pearl earrings, a pearl necklace and a dark patterned garment. To the left is a finely engraved spray of eucalyptus foliage with leaves and blossom buds. "Australia" appears in flowing script beside the portrait, and "FIVE DOLLARS" in capitals at the lower left.

The large numeral "5" appears at the upper right, with the Reserve Bank's circular optically variable device (featuring a stylised Federation Star motif) above it. The transparent polymer window at the lower right contains the embossed stylised gum flower device characteristic of the series.

Two signatures appear at the right: an engraved signature over "SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY" (E. A. Evans) and a second over "GOVERNOR, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA" (B. W. Fraser). Below is the legal tender text: "THIS AUSTRALIAN NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA AND ITS TERRITORIES."

Condition (technical): uncirculated, approximately UNC grade. Fresh, bright polymer with full original colour, no folds or handling marks, and full uncut margins intact.

Back Description:

Printed in matching pink, mauve and purple. "Australia" appears in flowing script at the left, with the large numeral "5" at the right.

The main design shows Parliament House, Canberra: the modern building with its flagpole and flag at centre right, with the older Provisional (Old) Parliament House shown below it in fine line engraving. Above and behind is an architectural composition of the building's design elements and plans, including the circular forecourt mosaic pattern, geometric construction drawings and the Great Verandah, rendered in detailed engraved line work within a large circular device.

The transparent polymer window with the embossed gum flower device appears at the left, with a smaller circular device above it.

The serial numbers appear at the upper right of each note: the upper note reads "BK 96 000555" and the lower note reads "BL 96 000555" — consecutive prefixes with matching low numbers, as produced on an uncut sheet. The low serial number 000555 is a desirable feature.

Estimated Era:

Dated 1996, as indicated by the "96" date code within the serial numbers. These are from the Australian polymer five dollar series bearing the Evans/Fraser signature combination, in issue during the mid-1990s. Australia pioneered polymer banknotes, introducing the world's first in 1988 and converting its full note series to polymer between 1992 and 1996. Uncut pairs were produced by Note Printing Australia for the collector market. The low matching serial numbers add further collector appeal.