2006 Royal Australian Mint Uncirculated 8 Coin Set - 40 Years of Decimal Currency

2006 Uncirculated Commemorative Coin Set – 40 Years of Decimal Currency

Celebrate a historic milestone in Australia's financial history with the 2006 40 Years of Decimal Currency uncirculated mint set. Struck by the Royal Australian Mint, this landmark collection commemorates four decades since the historic transition to the decimal system in 1966.

This iconic set is a legendary release among modern decimal collectors due to a major numismatic surprise: the highly anticipated, temporary return of Australia's two long-gone base-bronze denominations.

Specifications

• Year of Issue: 2006
• Theme: 40th Anniversary of Australian Decimal Currency (1966–2006)
• Finish: Uncirculated
• Mintage: 84,207 sets worldwide (Standard packaging)
• Obverse Effigy: Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
• Issuer / Mint: Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

Design Details & Exclusive 8-Coin Lineup

Unusually, this is the first comprehensive 8-coin mint set issued by the Royal Australian Mint since 1991, uniting the modern circulating lineup alongside historical revivals:

• The Circulating Reverses: Includes the standard definitive designs for the 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2 denominations.
• The Shock Return of the 1c & 2c Coins: Features the unexpected reintroduction of the One cent and Two cent pieces, which were permanently withdrawn from commercial circulation in 1992.
• Exclusive Struck Variety: These specific 2006-dated versions of the 1c (Feathertail Glider) and 2c (Frill-Necked Lizard) were never released into general circulation and were struck exclusively for this anniversary set. Crucially, this release marks the first of only two historic occasions where the original 1966 reverse designs paired with the modern Ian Rank-Broadley obverse portrait.

Cover & Overprint Varieties Note

While the core 8-coin plastic housing remained uniform, the Royal Australian Mint issued highly targeted, scarce cover variants for major trade events, which have become prized sub-varieties for completionist collectors:

• Standard Issue: The classic national release illustrated presentation card.
• WMF Berlin Special Release Cover: An exclusive overprint variant produced specifically for the World Money Fair (WMF) in Berlin to showcase Australian decimal engineering to the European market.
• ANDA Special Show Release: A limited-run variant released exclusively at Australasian Numismatic Dealers Association (ANDA) coin shows, carrying distinct show branding.

Condition and Presentation Note

• Uncirculated Quality: All eight coins are preserved in untouched, pristine uncirculated condition, displaying brilliant original mint lustre and sharp design architecture.
• Packaging Status: Securely housed in its official commemorative fold-out presentation pack.
• Vintage Wear Notice: Please note that the outer cardboard covers and decorative sleeves may display minor signs of shelf-scuffs, edge softening, or light handling marks consistent with the long-term archiving of a vintage 2006 release.