AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Summary
- The RBA released the new 100-dollar note loaded with innovative security features on 29 October 2020.
- The new 100-dollar note is the final banknote in the series of Next Generation Banknote program that included the $5, $10, $20 and $50 banknotes.
- It celebrates Sir John Monash, one of Australia's greatest military commanders, and Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally renowned soprano.
- The central bank took the consultation of various subject-matter experts to ensure the safety features remain the best in the world.
As part of the Next Generation Banknote program, the Reserve Bank of Australia released the new $100 banknote into general circulation on 29 October 2020. To protect the new note from counterfeiting, the central bank has loaded it with innovative security features similar to those in the $5, $10, $20 and $50 banknotes.
In the series of upgrading Australia's banknotes to make the Australian currencies more safe and secure, the $5 banknote was the first to be issued on 1 September 2016. Next was the $10 banknote, which was released for general circulation on 20 September 2017. On 18 October 2018, the new $50 banknote was released. Next year to that, on 9 October 2019, $20 was issued into circulation and finally this new 100-dollar note has been issued.
Image Source: © Kalkine Group 2020
New 100 dollar note design
It celebrates Sir John Monash, one of Australia's greatest military commanders who was not only a soldier but an engineer and an administrator. He is remembered for his services as a commander in the World War I. During that period, Mr Monash served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front. His greatest victory was at Hamel which was followed by several other victories and resulted in breaking of the Hindenburg Line. He also served as head of Victoria's State Electricity Commission. He was a strong public profile, and towards the end of his life, he was instrumental in the building of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
The banknote also celebrates Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally renowned soprano. She debuted in 1887 in Verdi's Rigoletto in Brussels, and throughout her successful international career, she went on to sing with great success in London, Paris, Milan, New York and other major cities. While travelling the world, she also contributed to civic work in Australia and raised funds for war charities. Her homecoming in 1902 involved an Australian and New Zealand concert tour which is depicted on the banknote.
The new banknote - an outcome of considerable work on the project
Australian currencies are one of the safest in the world, and to ensure that they remain so, the central bank researches anti-counterfeit technologies and developments in banknote design. The Reserve Bank of Australia has thoroughly conducted the review of banknote designs and production trials of new security features. The RBA has effectively incorporated the new features into the banknote designs, rigorously tested them to come up with durable and effective security features.
The central bank took the consultation of various subject-matter experts, Design Advisory Panel, and focus groups comprising members of the public. It also consulted with the key users of banknotes such as retail organisations, financial institutions, banknote equipment manufacturers, and the vision-impaired community.
All these efforts go behind the release of the new note that meets the safety requirements of the community.
