SELL OLD AUSTRALIAN BANKNOTES

Do you have banknotes to sell?

Australian Banknotes for Sale: Your FAQs

• Do I need an appointment to have banknotes assessed?

  If you’re wondering if an old Australian banknote or foreign banknote is worth more than its face value, we recommend filling out our online form above. We do not currently take walk-ins for banknotes. All initial assessments are conducted via submitted photographs and collection details. For significant collections, appointments may be arranged by prior agreement. 

• How should I handle my banknotes?

  Banknotes should be handled carefully and stored flat in a dry, stable environment wherever possible. Poor handling, cleaning attempts, or improper storage can significantly reduce collector value and may permanently affect condition and grading outcomes.

  Banknotes should never be:

  • Folded or creased unnecessarily

  • Pressed or flattened using heat or heavy objects

  • Taped, glued, laminated or repaired

  • Cleaned, washed or chemically treated

  • Stored in direct sunlight or damp conditions

• Does the condition affect the banknote value?

  Condition plays a major role in determining banknote value within the numismatic market. Uncirculated banknotes generally attract stronger collector demand and higher auction results than heavily circulated examples.

  Factors that may negatively affect value include:

  • Fold marks and creases

  • Stains or discolouration

  • Tears, pinholes or edge damage

  • Writing, markings or adhesive residue

  • Excessive handling wear

  • Damage from improper storage 

  For premium and investment-grade material, professional grading standards may also influence market value. Higher-grade banknotes often achieve stronger collector interest, particularly for rare serial numbers, replacement notes, specimen issues and pre-decimal Australian currency.

  Where possible, banknotes should remain in their existing sleeves, holders or storage albums until professionally assessed by a specialist.

• What makes a banknote worth more than its face value?

  Many rare Australian banknotes were originally issued as legal tender currency, but today the value of these banknotes is influenced by a combination of rarity, condition, collector demand and historical significance. The Reserve Bank and commercial banks will only acknowledge the face value of a banknote. However, certain features can make Australian banknotes particularly desirable among collectors and investors. 

  Factors commonly affecting value include:

  • Low serial numbers

  • Consecutive serial number sets

  • Star replacement notes

  • Printing errors and production varieties

  • Uncirculated or high-grade condition

  • Limited print runs

  • Rare signature combinations

  • Specimen or test notes

  • Pre-decimal Australian banknotes

  • Historical significance and collector demand

  Banknotes with strong provenance, exceptional preservation, or recognised rarity often attract increased interest within the numismatic market.

  Australian banknotes continue to remain highly collectable, particularly across pre-decimal issues, early decimal notes, replacement notes, and rare serial number varieties.

  At Roxbury’s Auction House, our specialists assess banknotes based on rarity, condition, market demand and current collector activity to determine the most appropriate sale and auction strategy.

• Are serial numbers important?

  Yes. Serial numbers can significantly influence collector demand and market value for Australian banknotes.

  Collectors often seek:

  • Low serial number notes

  • Consecutive serial number runs

  • First and last prefix notes

  • Radar or repeating serial numbers

  • Replacement “star” notes

  • Rare prefix combinations

  Certain serial number patterns may command substantially stronger auction interest, particularly when paired with uncirculated condition or limited issue releases.

• What is the difference between pre-decimal and decimal Australian banknotes?

  Pre-decimal Australian banknotes were issued before Australia adopted decimal currency in 1966. These notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence.

  Decimal banknotes were introduced following the transition to the Australian dollar system in 1966 and include both paper and later polymer issues.

  Both pre-decimal and decimal Australian banknotes remain highly collectable, particularly where notes are rare, uncirculated, historically significant, or feature desirable serial numbers.

• Are old paper $1 and $2 notes valuable?

  Some paper $1 notes and paper $2 notes may hold significant collector value depending on rarity, condition, serial numbers, and signature combinations.

  While many circulated examples remain relatively common, stronger demand often exists for:

  • Uncirculated examples

  • Replacement or star notes

  • Low serial number notes

  • Rare prefixes

  • Consecutive note sets

  • Notes with limited production runs

  Australian paper notes remain highly collectable, particularly among collectors specialising in pre-polymer decimal currency.

• What banknotes are commonly seen at auction?

  We regularly present pre-decimal banknotes, rare serial number issues, star replacement notes, specimen issues, colonial currency and certified collectable banknotes. We are interested in everything from Australian notes to foreign currency notes, except we do not buy banknotes in current circulation, or modern foreign banknotes (1960-Now).

• Can I sell a single rare banknote?

  Yes. Single banknotes may be suitable for specialist auction, particularly where they are rare, certified, or of historical or collector significance.