1 Australian Pound (1923 – 1927 Series)

The 1 Australian Pound banknote from the 1923–1927 series is a classic pre-decimal Commonwealth issue, printed in a traditional engraved style that prioritises intricate linework, formal typography, and layered security patterning. This is a firmly “interwar” design language: dense guilloché backgrounds, prominent serial numbering, and carefully framed national symbolism intended to convey stability and authority in everyday circulation.

On the front, the note is built around a strong symmetrical layout. The title COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA spans the top, while the denomination is reinforced repeatedly across the design. At the centre sits a large star-like emblem containing the value “1 POUND”, set over a fine lattice of geometric line patterns and micro-ornament. The serial numbers are printed prominently in the upper field, balanced left and right. To the right is a formal portrait of King George V in profile within a dark circular medallion. On the left, a matching circular panel displays the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, with the kangaroo and emu flanking the shield—an unmistakable national marker. At both ends of the note, small lighthouse motifs are positioned within vertical panels, adding further symbolic detail and visual symmetry. The surrounding framework is heavily ornamented with scrollwork and interlocking security patterns designed to resist reproduction.

On the back, the design becomes more narrative while remaining tightly controlled by engraving and border structure. Large £1 devices dominate the left and right, rendered in bold, shaded lettering that anchors the composition. Between them is a rectangular vignette showing a colonial-era working scene: figures gathered in an outdoor setting, with equipment and livestock-like forms suggested in the background, presented in fine line engraving with a muted, documentary feel. The entire scene is enclosed within a complex border of interlaced patterns and corner flourishes, giving the reverse the same “banknote-as-security-engraving” character as the front.

As a withdrawn pre-decimal currency, Australian pound notes are no longer exchanged by most banks or high-street currency bureaux, and are commonly found in inherited collections, old paperwork, or long-kept keepsakes. If you have old Australian banknotes and want a simple currency buy back, our UK-based service provides an instant online valuation and straightforward processing.

• Indicate the quantity of 1 Australian Pound banknotes you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Many people discover older overseas notes like Australian pounds only to find that banks and bureaux won’t handle them due to withdrawal status, age, or internal policy. We specialise in exchanging leftover currency that traditional providers decline, working with individuals, charities, and businesses across the UK, and we’re trusted by major organisations for secure, reliable processing—so historic foreign banknotes can be converted into pounds instead of being left unusable in a drawer.