Decimal Currency Memorabilia featuring 'Dollar Bill' on a drinking glass
Decimal Changeover Day was a big day for all Australians on February 14th 1966. It was the job of the Decimal Currency Board to help ease the transition and assist everyone in coverting their pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents.
I've recently written an article about C-Day and how the dollars and cents were first accepted by the community.
Huge advertising campaigns and information for the public was brought in because after all, this change affected EVERYONE. It was a time for learning and making change to make life easier even if it seemed more difficult right at the start. Some of the advertising included pamphlets, books, conversion cards, charts and tables and a campaign over radio and television. One of the advertisements featuring the animated character, a so-called 'mascot' for the event, Dollar Bill can be seen on YouTube. Dollar Bill helped in a public education program through the phasing out of imperial currency over a 2 year period.
A lot of this memorabilia is quite collectable today and an interesting side collecting theme to collecting actual coins. Commemorating the occasion was also a number of medals issued including this decimal changeover medallion.
Posted by harrisk at December 22, 2010 8:24 AM
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