Timeline of Australian money By andy.bun Period: Mar 16, 1901 to Jun 20, 2001 Timeline of Australian money May 25, 1905 In the first decade after Federation, private bank notes continued to circulate as a paper currency. Nov 9, 1916 The Commonwealth Bank's new Head Office in Sydney is opened. Jun 20, 1923 The 'Harrison series' of currency notes is issued Jan 31, 1933 The 'Ash series' of notes is issued, named after John Ash, the note printer May 31, 1953 The 1953/54 series of currency notes is issued Sep 13, 1966 Australia converts from pounds, shillings and pence to decimal currency. Jul 6, 1973 A $50 decimal currency note is issued. Nov 2, 1984 The decision to replace the $1 note by a $1 coin is announced with the new coin issued in 1984. Mar 17, 1995 A $50 polymer note is issued. Aug 11, 2001 A special Federation $5 polymer note is issued from 1 January 2001.