Australian banknotes are used less frequently to commemorate events - a service provided far more frequently by coins. This is to avoid a confusing range of banknotes in circulation that could assist in passing forgeries - a problem intensified since the introduction of the colour photocopier. The public's familiarity with banknotes is therefore an important issue - a point not lost of forgers. Whenever a new note is issued a spate of forgeries quickly follows to take advantage of the confusion.

The Five-dollar banknote is the only note that has been used to celebrate topical issues. The new 'Centenary of Federation' design has replaced the note featuring the new Federal Parliament House in Canberra, which had a production run of nine years - from 1992 to 2001. Coins such as the dollar, fifty cents and twenty cents by comparison are commonly used on an annual basis to commemorate a variety of events. These range from internationally designated years, including the recent 'Year of the Volunteer', to historical anniversaries such as Bass and Flinders exploration, political anniversaries such as women's suffrage, and sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Garry Emery, Melbourne, Victoria

Note Printing Australia, Melbourne, Victoria

2001

Banknote, five-dollars, in presentation folder, Centenary of Federation commemorative featuring Sir Henry Parkes and Catherine Helen Spence, polymer, designed by Garry Emery, printed by Note Printing Australia Ltd / issued by Reserve Bank of Australia, Victoria, Australia, 2001

Five-dollar polymer banknote featuring montage designs appropriate to Centenary of Federation.

Obverse: montage design with portrait of Sir Henry Parkes overlapping with scenes and significant buildings associated with January 1 1901.
Reverse: montage design with portrait of Catherine Helen Spence overlapping with significant buildings and personalities from Federation, number vertically at right: DIO19423886.

Presentation folder: cardboard folding to enclose banknote held in attached mylar sleeve, pink exterior with line-drawn elevation of Melbourne Exhibition Building where first Parliament conducted and blue interior with line-drawn elevation of Federation rotunda and short biographies of Sir Henry Parkes (1815-1896) and Catherine Helen Spence (1825-1910).

Made: 2001

2003/15/1

2001

65 mm