Uncovering the mysterious animals on Australian coins: How many of these "national treasures" do you know?

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAnimals on Australian CoinsNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to know more.

1. Kangaroos and emus: national symbols on coins

The reverse side of all Australian coins in circulation features native animals, a unique design that began with the currency decimalization reform in 1966. The most representative of these is the Australian dollar coin on which the Australian dollar is based.KangaroosThe five kangaroos are arranged in a progressive pattern to symbolize national development.Aboriginal eldersandSouthern CrossHidden between the trees is an emu foraging for food.

It is no accident that these two animals were chosen as the national emblem: the kangaroo can only move forward and not backward, which symbolizes the sustainable development of the country; the emu, as an evolutionary miracle of terrestrial birds, represents Australia's unique biodiversity. In the latest version of the commemorative coins, the Australian Mint even uses holographic technology to make the kangaroo pattern produce a dynamic effect.

2. Ecological Code on Banknotes

Australian polymer banknotes are the first to incorporate ecological elements into anti-counterfeiting design:

• $5 note: A miniature of an Eastern quoll is hidden next to the portrait of Queen Victoria on the front
• $10 note: There is a laser cutout of a lyrebird feather on the right side of the portrait of the federal poet Patterson
• $20 note: The world's first banknote using dynamic holographic technology, the platypus pattern will swim with the change of angle

It is particularly worth mentioning that the new version of the 50 Australian dollar banknote issued in 2020 has a transparent window embedded withBlack tip reef sharkWhen you tilt the note, you can see a vivid scene of a shark swimming in a coral reef.

Questions about Australian Coin Animals

Why were these particular animals chosen?

The RBA's documents show that animals must meet three core criteria:

1. Australian endemic species
2. A clearly recognizable morphological feature
3. Reflects ecosystem diversity

For example, on a 5-cent coinEchidna, is not only one of the most primitive mammals in existence, but its ability to regulate body temperature is also a living fossil of biological evolution.

The special status of these animals in Australian culture

Many coin animals are closely associated with Aboriginal legends:

• In Dreamtime stories, the emu is the bringer of water.
• Kangaroos are often associated with creation myths in rock art
• The song of the lyrebird is considered a medium of communication between ancestors and the present world.

Rare editions that collectors must know about

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAnimals on Australian Coins. In the next issue, we will reveal more little-known facts about Australia, so stay tuned!