A New Currency: 1900 -- 1920 First Notes -- Reflections of the Australian Economy Production of the First Australian Note As a first step towards a unique Australian currency note the Treasury invited designs from the public. It offered prizes of 50 and specified that the designs should not use more than three colours and should include the Australian Coat of Arms on the front and Australian scenery on the back of the notes. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms, in various forms, was an important element of design on all Australian currency notes up to 1966, when the first decimal notes were introduced. The Coat of Arms, granted in 1912 by King George V, is the official symbol of the Federation of six States (see below). The Coat of Arms represented on Australia's first and second series of currency notes, however, was somewhat different to the official version in showing the State badges in three rows of two rather than two rows of three. The note designs offered by the public were judged unsuitable. Assistance was sought in England on note design, plate engraving and printing machinery. By late 1911 the Government had approved revised note designs. Mr Thomas S Harrison, previously Manager of a London printing company, was appointed to the position of Australian Note Printer in May 1912. Printing works were set up by the Treasury at the King's (later Queen's) Warehouse, Flinders Street Extension, Melbourne. The first Australian currency note -- a ten shilling denomination -- was