Title (79 characters excluding spaces):
1996 Australia Uncut Pair $5 Polymer Evans Fraser Queen Elizabeth Vintage Banknote
Front Description:
Genuine uncut vertical pair of Australian Five Dollar polymer banknotes, issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia, dated 1996. Printed in pink, mauve and purple on polymer substrate, with the two notes joined in an uncut vertical pair and generous sheet margins retained, including the printer’s colour registration dots in a row along the bottom margin and registration cross marks at the right and lower edges.
The face of each note carries a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at centre, shown in three-quarter view wearing pearl earrings, a pearl necklace and a dark patterned garment. To the left is a finely engraved spray of eucalyptus foliage with leaves and blossom. “Australia” appears in flowing script beside the portrait, and “FIVE DOLLARS” in capitals at the lower left.
The large numeral “5” appears at the upper right, with the Reserve Bank’s circular optically variable device (featuring a stylised Federation Star motif) above it. The transparent polymer window at the lower right contains the embossed stylised gum flower device characteristic of the series.
Two signatures appear at the right: an engraved signature over “SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY” (E. A. Evans) and a second over “GOVERNOR, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA” (B. W. Fraser). Below is the legal tender text: “THIS AUSTRALIAN NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA AND ITS TERRITORIES.”
Condition (technical): uncirculated, approximately UNC grade. Fresh, bright polymer with full original colour, no folds or handling marks, and full uncut margins with registration marks intact.
Back Description:
Printed in matching pink, mauve and purple. “Australia” appears in flowing script at the left, with the large numeral “5” at the right.
The main design shows Parliament House, Canberra: the modern building with its flagpole and flag at centre right, with the older Provisional (Old) Parliament House shown below it in fine line engraving. Above and behind is an architectural composition of the building’s design elements and plans, including the circular forecourt mosaic pattern, geometric construction drawings and the Great Verandah, rendered in detailed engraved line work within a large circular device.
The transparent polymer window with the embossed gum flower device appears at the left, with a smaller circular device above it.
The serial numbers appear at the upper right of each note: the upper note reads “BG 96 000420” and the lower note reads “BH 96 000420” — consecutive prefixes with matching low numbers, as produced on an uncut sheet. The low serial number 000420 is a desirable feature. Registration cross marks and the faint edge of the colour dot row are visible in the lower margin.
Estimated Era:
Dated 1996, as indicated by the “96” date code within the serial numbers. These are from the Australian polymer five dollar series bearing the Evans/Fraser signature combination, in issue during the mid-1990s. Australia pioneered polymer banknotes, introducing the world’s first in 1988 and converting its full note series to polymer between 1992 and 1996. Uncut pairs were produced by Note Printing Australia for the collector market, and this example retains the full printer’s margins with colour registration dots, a feature sought after by collectors. The low matching serial numbers add further appeal.
Note: Coins & Banknotes Grading
- Please
closely inspect the photos to understand the condition of the coins or
banknotes before proceeding with your purchase, as grading can be
subjective and varies from person to person. - Please do not place too much hope on grading companies to grade the notes accurately, as they can be notoriously inconsistent.
- Different graders have different opinions, eye factors, and knowledge that influence the final grading.
- Even grading companies do not guarantee that you will get the outcome of your desired grading.
- If
you have any questions or require additional information, I am more
than happy to assist. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Shipping Information
- Combined Shipping:
We offer combined shipping for all banknotes. To take advantage of this
offer, please add the items to your cart together and only proceed to
checkout once you are ready to pay. The combined shipping is calculated
at the checkout page. Please do not pay for items individually, as the
shipping costs will not be combined that way. - Customs, Duty, Tariff Fees: Buyers are responsible for any applicable customs, duty or tariff fees.
- International Shipping:
Shipping duration can vary, typically ranging from 14 to 60 business
days for standard delivery. Please be aware that these shipping times
are estimates and depend on the operational efficiencies of the shipping
companies, which we cannot control. - Postage Costs:
Please note that international shipping via Australia Post is not
cheap. We strive to keep the shipping costs as low as possible,
sometimes even absorbing a portion of the costs. All orders are sent
with end-to-end tracking for safety and reliability. - Untracked Shipping Requests:
If a buyer insists on requesting an untracked, cheaper shipping option,
we reserve the right to grant or refuse the request. If untracked
shipping is granted, please be aware that we have no way of tracking the
mail, and the buyer is strictly responsible for any losses in transit. - Tracking and Logistics:
Please check Australia Post for tracking status. Since we do not own
Australia Post, we have absolutely no control over their handling times
and methods. Australia is a huge continent, and logistics are
challenging, coupled with one of the highest minimum wages in the world,
making costs and operations tough. Please check with your postal
service or local post offices if any unattended mail notes are left, as
we absolutely can’t control that remotely.
Customer Conduct
- Please be respectful when communicating with us. We do not tolerate abusive behaviour from buyers.
- If you do not agree with the postage cost or any other terms, please refrain from making a purchase.
