Klazzik Numismatics Australian Banknote Price Guide
Australian Ten Shillings Banknote Price Guide
This guide identifies Australia's Ten Shillings banknotes by issue, signatures, reference number, serial-number format and recognised sub-type, with practical collector values by grade.
Values are shown in Australian dollars as general collector guides. Originality, grade, repairs, staining, folds, tears, paper quality, colour, serial-number significance and provenance can all materially affect the value of an individual note.
Identify the Exact Note
Begin with the main reference number, then compare signatures, serial-number details and any recognised suffix or sub-type.
Serial Numbers Can Matter
Early serials, presentation notes, first and last prefixes, replacement notes and other recognised ranges may be collected separately from ordinary circulation notes.
Grade and Originality
Two notes of the same issue can differ greatly in value. Original paper and colour are important, while repairs, pressing, stains and other problems can reduce collector demand.
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1913-1914
R11913 Ten Shillings - Collins & Allen
The first Commonwealth Ten Shillings issue is identified by the signatures of Jas R. Collins and Geo T. Allen. Its serial letters and numerals are printed in red.
Banknote Specifications
R1 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / serial detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1a | Presentation note M000001 | - | - | - | - | - | $615,670 |
| R1b | Presentation note M000500 | $8,299 | $15,440 | $31,363 | $57,900 | $94,570 | $130,275 |
| R1b | Presentation note accompanied by a Geo T. Allen letter | $12,545 | $19,783 | $38,600 | $71,410 | $109,045 | $144,750 |
| R1c | Regular circulation note - serials from M000501 | $5,597 | $10,133 | $20,265 | $41,978 | $76,235 | $105,185 |
Collector values shown above are guide figures only. Significant serial numbers, strong provenance and exceptional condition can place individual notes outside normal guide ranges.
EARLY SERIALS
1913 Presentation Notes
The first few Ten Shillings notes were set aside as presentation pieces rather than entering normal circulation. Serial M000001 went to Judith Denman, daughter of the Governor-General. M000002 was presented to Governor-General Lord Denman, and M000003 went to his son.
Serials M000004 and M000005 were presented to Prime Minister Andrew Fisher. The source records that these two notes later became the first of the group to be offered publicly at auction, in London in 1976.
The remaining presentation allocation appears to have extended as far as M000500. These notes were reserved for parliamentarians, with allocation decided by ballot. Recipients paid for their notes, which were sent with an accompanying notification letter.
- Recorded market data shows only 25 auction appearances among serials M000004 through M000100.
- It records 24 surviving presentation notes, all carrying serial numbers below M000100.
- The same reference records 44 auction appearances for the R1c circulation type.
- M000001 is noted as having changed hands publicly on several occasions, including sales in 2000, 2008 and 2014.
- M000004 and M000005 are also recorded as having been offered at auction in 2005 and again as a pair in 2014.
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1915 ISSUE
R021915 Ten Shillings - Collins & Allen
This issue carries the signatures of Jas R. Collins and Geo T. Allen. The serial printing is black, and collectors distinguish several sub-types by the shape and weight of the prefix and suffix letters.
Issue Identification
R02 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / serial detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R02aF | First prefix M | $2,992 | $6,176 | $13,993 | $32,810 | $61,760 | $93,605 |
| R02aL | Last prefix N | $2,509 | $5,404 | $13,028 | $31,363 | $55,005 | $85,885 |
| R02bF | First suffix M | $1,641 | $3,764 | $11,098 | $19,783 | $36,188 | $51,145 |
| R02bL | Last suffix N | $1,544 | $3,281 | $9,071 | $19,783 | $31,845 | $43,908 |
| R02cF | First prefix & suffix M-M | $1,351 | $2,895 | $7,238 | $20,265 | $26,055 | $41,978 |
| R02cL | Last prefix & suffix N-N | $1,255 | $2,895 | $6,852 | $15,923 | $25,573 | $37,635 |
| R02d | Mid-range letters M-B to M-K | $1,158 | $2,413 | $5,790 | $13,510 | $21,713 | $32,810 |
| R02dF | First prefix & suffix M-A | $1,641 | $2,992 | $6,852 | $15,440 | $24,125 | $38,118 |
| R02dL | Last prefix & suffix M-L | $1,834 | $3,378 | $7,624 | $16,888 | $25,573 | $36,188 |
| R02e | Mid-range letters M-C to M-E | $1,255 | $2,509 | $5,790 | $13,993 | $18,335 | $29,915 |
| R02eF | First prefix & suffix M-B | $1,448 | $2,895 | $6,562 | $15,923 | $24,125 | $35,705 |
| R02eL | Last prefix & suffix M-F | $1,544 | $2,895 | $6,852 | $14,958 | $20,748 | $37,153 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1918 ISSUE
R031918 Ten Shillings - Cerutty & Collins
The 1918 issue changes to the signature combination of C. J. Cerutty and Jas R. Collins. Two principal letter styles are recognised: the medium-serifed R03a form and the bold-letter R03b form.
Issue Identification
R03 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / serial detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R03a | Medium serifed prefix & suffix letters; mid-range M-E | $2,316 | $4,343 | $10,133 | $21,713 | $34,740 | $57,900 |
| R03aF | First prefix & suffix M-C | $2,316 | $4,922 | $9,457 | $23,160 | $38,600 | $61,760 |
| R03aL | Last prefix & suffix M-F | $2,895 | $6,562 | $11,098 | $30,398 | $38,600 | $65,620 |
| R03b | Bold prefix & suffix letters; mid-range M-E to N-X | $772 | $1,448 | $2,895 | $7,624 | $12,063 | $15,440 |
| R03bF | First prefix & suffix M-D | $1,062 | $1,930 | $3,764 | $8,685 | $12,545 | $17,370 |
| R03bL | Last prefix & suffix N-Z | $1,062 | $1,834 | $3,667 | $8,685 | $13,028 | $18,335 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1923 ISSUE
R041923 Ten Shillings - Miller & Collins
This issue is identified by the signatures of J. Miller and Jas R. Collins. Collector references distinguish the ordinary prefix range from separate first- and last-prefix examples.
Issue Identification
R04 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R04 | Mid-range prefixes A/1 to A/22 | $362 | $965 | $1,641 | $3,957 | $7,624 | $13,510 |
| R04F | First prefix A/0 | $483 | $1,158 | $1,737 | $4,343 | $9,457 | $18,335 |
| R04L | Last prefix A/23 | $531 | $1,255 | $2,509 | $5,790 | $9,457 | $18,335 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1926 ISSUE
R051926 Ten Shillings - Kell & Collins
This issue is identified by the signatures of James Kell and Jas R. Collins. Collector references distinguish the ordinary prefix range from separate first- and last-prefix examples.
Issue Identification
R05 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R05 | Mid-range prefixes A/24 to A/40 | $434 | $772 | $1,448 | $2,895 | $6,852 | $11,580 |
| R05F | First prefix A/23 | $579 | $1,062 | $2,027 | $4,246 | $8,685 | $14,475 |
| R05L | Last prefix A/41 | $579 | $1,062 | $2,027 | $4,343 | $8,685 | $15,440 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1927 ISSUE
R061927 Ten Shillings - Kell & Heathershaw
This issue is identified by the signatures of James Kell and J. Heathershaw. Collector references distinguish the ordinary prefix range from separate first- and last-prefix examples.
Issue Identification
R06 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R06 | Mid-range prefixes A/40 to A/50 | $772 | $1,544 | $3,667 | $10,133 | $20,265 | $36,188 |
| R06F | First prefix A/40 | $1,158 | $2,027 | $4,729 | $11,098 | $24,608 | $41,495 |
| R06L | Last prefix A/51 | $917 | $1,737 | $4,246 | $11,098 | $21,713 | $39,083 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1928 ISSUE
R071928 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Heathershaw
This issue is identified by the signatures of E. C. Riddle and J. Heathershaw. Collector references distinguish the ordinary prefix range from separate first- and last-prefix examples.
Issue Identification
R07 Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R07 | Mid-range prefixes A/52 to B/35 | $290 | $434 | $965 | $2,895 | $5,211 | $9,071 |
| R07F | First prefix A/51 | $338 | $579 | $1,255 | $3,667 | $6,852 | $10,133 |
| R07L | Last prefix B/36 | $362 | $531 | $1,158 | $3,667 | $6,176 | $9,650 |
R08a thick-signature type. Click either image to enlarge.
1933 ISSUE
R08a1933 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Sheehan - Thick Signatures
This 1933 sub-type is identified by the thicker Sheehan signature. B/37 is the mid-range prefix for this type, with B/36 as the first prefix and B/38 as the last.
Issue Identification
R08a Thick-Signature Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R08a | Thick Sheehan signature - mid-range prefix B/37 | $820 | $2,027 | $3,957 | $9,457 | $18,818 | $32,810 |
| R08aF | Thick signatures - first prefix B/36 | $965 | $2,316 | $4,729 | $10,133 | $24,125 | $34,258 |
| R08aL | Thick signatures - last prefix B/38 | $917 | $2,220 | $4,246 | $9,457 | $19,783 | $34,740 |
R08b thin-signature type. Click either image to enlarge.
1933 ISSUE
R08b1933 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Sheehan - Thin Signatures
This second 1933 sub-type is recognised by the thinner Sheehan signature. The listed mid-range runs from B/39 to B/42, with B/38 first and B/43 last.
Issue Identification
R08b Thin-Signature Collector Values
| Reference | Type / prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R08b | Thin Sheehan signature - mid-range prefixes B/39 to B/42 | $410 | $820 | $1,544 | $3,957 | $8,010 | $14,475 |
| R08bF | Thin signatures - first prefix B/38 | $579 | $1,351 | $2,123 | $5,404 | $10,615 | $18,335 |
| R08bL | Thin signatures - last prefix B/43 | $483 | $965 | $1,834 | $5,115 | $11,098 | $16,888 |
1923-1933 SERIES
Series Background
The approximate total printing for this series was 142,746,596 Ten Shillings notes for this 1923-1933 design period.
The design is attributed there to Australian Note Printer T. S. Harrison. It continued across several changes in the signature pair before the denomination moved to the next design family.
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1933 ISSUE
R091933 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Sheehan
This 1933 Ten Shillings issue carries the signatures of E. C. Riddle and H. Sheehan. It introduced a distinctly different design from the earlier Ten Shillings notes and appeared during the period following Australia's departure from the gold standard.
The wording on the note reflects that change. Rather than promising redemption in gold coin, this issue was produced as legal tender. A blank oval was incorporated into the design to display the watermark portrait of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII.
Issue Identification
R09 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R09 | Mid-range prefixes C/1 to C/19 | $579 | $1,158 | $2,027 | $5,115 | $9,650 | $14,475 |
| R09F | First prefix C/0 | $724 | $1,351 | $2,509 | $5,790 | $11,580 | $17,370 |
| R09L | Last prefix C/20 | $772 | $1,448 | $2,702 | $6,562 | $12,545 | $18,818 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1934-1936 ISSUE
R101934 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Sheehan
This issue retains the signatures of E. C. Riddle and H. Sheehan, but is immediately recognisable by the prominent red TEN SHILLINGS overprint added to the upper and side margins.
The overprint made the denomination much easier to recognise at a glance and helped distinguish the Ten Shillings note from other denominations then in circulation.
Issue Identification
R10 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R10 | Mid-range prefixes C/22 to C/68 | $290 | $531 | $1,062 | $2,509 | $4,729 | $8,685 |
| R10F | First prefix C/21 | $410 | $676 | $1,448 | $3,474 | $6,176 | $10,615 |
| R10L | Last prefix C/69 | $531 | $772 | $1,544 | $3,667 | $6,562 | $11,580 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1936-1939 ISSUE
R111936 Ten Shillings - Riddle & Sheehan
This issue carries the signatures of E. C. Riddle and H. Sheehan and introduced another major redesign of the Ten Shillings note. The overall format was made smaller than the preceding issue, producing a more compact note that was easier to distinguish from other denominations.
The obverse features King George V and is dominated by a strong orange-red colour scheme. The reverse continues the manufacturing theme with an allegorical industrial scene.
Issue Identification
R11 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R11 | Mid-range prefixes D/1 to D/97 | $145 | $265 | $458 | $1,158 | $2,702 | $4,536 |
| R11F | First prefix D/0 | $241 | $458 | $724 | $1,930 | $3,667 | $6,562 |
| R11L | Last prefix D/98 | $362 | $531 | $917 | $2,316 | $4,343 | - |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1939 ISSUE
R121939 Ten Shillings - Sheehan & McFarlane
The 1939 issue carries the signatures of H. J. Sheehan and S. G. McFarlane. It continued the smaller Ten Shillings format introduced in the late 1930s, with King George VI replacing King George V in the portrait.
Issue Identification
R12 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R12 | Mid-range prefixes D/99 to F/23 | $68 | $121 | $265 | $531 | $820 | $1,448 |
| R12F | First prefix D/98 | $169 | $265 | $579 | $917 | $1,544 | $3,088 |
| R12L | Last prefix F/24 | $193 | $290 | $618 | $965 | $1,448 | $3,281 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1942 ISSUE
R131942 Ten Shillings - Armitage & McFarlane
The 1942 issue changes to the signatures of H. T. Armitage and S. G. McFarlane. Regular notes and star replacement notes are both recognised for this signature combination.
Issue Identification
R13 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R13 | Mid-range prefixes F/25 to G/83 | $24 | $58 | $121 | $241 | $410 | $724 |
| R13F | First prefix F/24 | $72 | $169 | $362 | $724 | $1,158 | $2,027 |
| R13L | Last prefix G/84 | $58 | $145 | $314 | $627 | $965 | $1,641 |
Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE
R13S1942 Armitage & McFarlane Star Note
A star at the end of the serial number identifies a replacement note. These were inserted during production when a regular note was spoiled and had to be removed from the printing run.
R13S Star Note Collector Values
| Reference | Star prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R13S | Star note - mid-range prefixes G/51 to G/94 | $2,702 | $3,764 | $7,238 | $12,545 | $23,160 | $36,188 |
| R13SF | First star prefix G/50 | $2,702 | $4,343 | $8,685 | $15,923 | $27,503 | $43,425 |
| R13SL | Last star prefix G/95 | $2,702 | $4,150 | $8,010 | $14,475 | $25,573 | $40,048 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1949 ISSUE
R141949 Ten Shillings - Coombs & Watt
The 1949 issue is signed by H. C. Coombs and G. P. N. Watt. Both ordinary notes and a separately collected star replacement series are listed.
Issue Identification
R14 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R14 | Mid-range prefixes G/86 to A/73 | $39 | $72 | $145 | $265 | $434 | $772 |
| R14F | First prefix G/85 | $82 | $169 | $338 | $724 | $1,255 | $1,930 |
| R14L | Last prefix A/74 | $82 | $169 | $338 | $724 | $1,255 | $1,930 |
Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE
R14S1949 Coombs & Watt Star Note
A star at the end of the serial number identifies a replacement note. These were inserted during production when a regular note was spoiled and had to be removed from the printing run.
R14S Star Note Collector Values
| Reference | Star prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R14S | Star note - mid-range prefixes G/97 to A/1 | $772 | $1,255 | $2,895 | $6,562 | $11,580 | $18,818 |
| R14SF | First star prefix G/96 | $965 | $1,351 | $3,281 | $7,238 | $12,545 | $21,713 |
| R14SL | Last star prefix A/2 | $965 | $1,448 | $3,088 | $6,852 | $13,028 | $21,230 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1952 ISSUE
R151952 Ten Shillings - Coombs & Wilson
The 1952 issue carries the signatures of H. C. Coombs and Roland Wilson. As with the preceding issues, star replacement notes form a separate and substantially scarcer collector group.
Issue Identification
R15 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R15 | Mid-range prefixes A/76 to B/48 | $34 | $68 | $145 | $290 | $410 | $772 |
| R15F | First prefix A/75 | $82 | $169 | $362 | $724 | $1,062 | $1,930 |
| R15L | Last prefix B/49 | $97 | $217 | $410 | $917 | $1,351 | $2,220 |
Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE
R15S1952 Coombs & Wilson Star Note
A star at the end of the serial number identifies a replacement note. These were inserted during production when a regular note was spoiled and had to be removed from the printing run.
R15S Star Note Collector Values
| Reference | Star prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R15S | Star note - mid-range prefixes A/4 to A/8 | $627 | $1,158 | $2,220 | $5,115 | $9,071 | $13,510 |
| R15SF | First star prefix A/3 | $772 | $1,351 | $2,509 | $5,404 | $9,457 | $18,335 |
| R15SL | Last star prefix A/9 | $820 | $1,544 | $2,606 | $5,790 | $11,098 | $20,265 |
1939-1954 SERIES
Series Background
The approximate total printing for this series was 451,528,000 Ten Shillings notes for the 1939-1954 period.
After the death of King George V, the same general design continued with King George VI replacing his father in the portrait. The 1939 R12 issue is associated with orange-red signatures, while the later R13 through R15 issues use black signatures.
The illustrated star replacement note is described as orange-red in basic colour and approximately 137 × 76 to 137 × 78 mm. The reverse continues the allegorical manufacturing-industries design.
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1954 ISSUE
R161954 Ten Shillings - Coombs & Wilson
This issue carries the signatures of H. C. Coombs and Roland Wilson and was issued under the Commonwealth Bank. The obverse features Matthew Flinders, while the reverse depicts Parliament House in Canberra.
Issue Identification
R16 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R16 | Mid-range prefixes AC/01 to AF/18 | $24 | $39 | $82 | $169 | $241 | $314 |
| R16F | First prefix AC/00 | $82 | $193 | $362 | $724 | $1,062 | $1,737 |
| R16L | Last prefix AF/19 | $72 | $169 | $290 | $656 | $965 | $1,448 |
Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE
R16S1954 Coombs & Wilson Star Note
A star at the end of the serial number identifies a replacement note used when a normal note was rejected during printing. These notes are collected separately from the standard issue.
R16S Star Note Collector Values
| Reference | Star prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R16S | Star note - mid-range prefixes AC/91 to AE/92 | $434 | $1,062 | $2,027 | $4,536 | $8,685 | $13,028 |
| R16SF | First star prefix AC/90 | $579 | $1,158 | $2,316 | $5,115 | $9,457 | $15,440 |
| R16SL | Last star prefix AE/93 | $579 | $1,158 | $2,316 | $5,211 | $13,028 | $16,888 |
Obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
1961 ISSUE
R171961 Ten Shillings - Coombs & Wilson
The 1961 issue retains the signatures of H. C. Coombs and Roland Wilson, but was issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia. It continued the Matthew Flinders and Parliament House design used on the preceding issue.
Issue Identification
R17 Collector Values
| Reference | Prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R17 | Mid-range prefixes AF/21 to AH/94 | $19 | $39 | $72 | $145 | $217 | $290 |
| R17F | First prefix AF/20 | $53 | $121 | $241 | $483 | $772 | $1,062 |
| R17L | Last prefix AH/95 (circulation) | $72 | $145 | $265 | $531 | $772 | $1,062 |
| R17X | Last prefix AH/96 (Ex NPA) | - | - | - | - | - | $1,062 |
Star replacement note obverse and reverse. Click either image to enlarge.
STAR REPLACEMENT NOTE
R17S1961 Coombs & Wilson Star Note
The star replacement series is identified by the asterisk at the end of the serial number and is collected separately from the regular 1961 issue.
R17S Star Note Collector Values
| Reference | Star prefix detail | VG | F | VF | EF | aUNC | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R17S | Star note - mid-range prefixes AE/94 to AG/50 | $265 | $531 | $1,255 | $2,895 | $4,922 | $7,238 |
| R17SF | First star prefix AE/93 | $338 | $676 | $1,351 | $3,088 | $5,790 | $8,685 |
| R17SL | Last star prefix AG/51 | $338 | $627 | $1,351 | $2,895 | $5,115 | $8,299 |
1954-1966 SERIES
Series Background
The approximate total printing for this series was 557,548,000 Ten Shillings notes for the 1954-1966 period.
The design features Matthew Flinders on the obverse and Parliament House in Canberra on the reverse. The most obvious institutional difference between the two principal issues is the issuing authority: R16 was issued by the Commonwealth Bank, while R17 was issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Star replacement notes are recognised for both issues and are identified by an asterisk at the end of the serial number.