New-look $100 notes out today: How to be the first to get one
Australians could soon see new $100 notes in their wallets as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) officially pushes the redesign currency into circulation.
The new $100 note is the last of Australia’s banknotes to be replaced and is the result of a 10-year program to upgrade the notes’ security.
The notes celebrate opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and engineer and civic leader Sir John Monash.
The notes also feature dynamic security elements designed to prevent counterfeits. The features are integrated into the notes’ top-to-bottom window and a three-dimensional fan.
It also has a tactile feature to assist people who are blind or who have low vision.
When can I get one of the new $100 notes?
The notes entered circulation on Thursday 29 October, but will take some time to make their way to all Australians’ wallets.
“We anticipate it will take some time for people to regularly see the new $100 banknote in circulation as our largest-denomination banknote is generally used as a store of wealth rather than for transactions,” assistant RBA governor Lindsay Boulton said.
“It is also important for people to know that the existing $100 banknotes can continue to be used and we expect both series of banknotes to co-circulate for some time. In fact, all our banknotes, including paper banknotes issued many years ago, remain legal tender in Australia.”
However, those who want to grab one of the notes sooner rather than later can obtain them over-the-counter at the Bank’s Sydney Head Office and the Canberra branch Banking Chambers.
To buy some of the notes, collectors will need to make a booking preferably 48-72 hours prior to arrival, and may need to provide photo ID upon request.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.
Follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.