Dollar coin receives limited edition design change for 2026
A new one dollar coin has been released with a subtle design alteration that, while small, represents a big change in our nation’s economic history. Can you spot the difference?
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Australia will see a major change to its dollar coin this year, but only those with a keen eye will catch it.
The iconic* design, featuring five kangaroos, will be updated to include a sixth, the first change since 1984.
The new design, called Mob of Six Roos, was created to celebrate six decades of decimal currency* – or dollars and cents – in Australia.
The coin is already in circulation*, but will be a limited edition, with the image to revert to five kangaroos in 2027.
Royal Australian Mint CEO Emily Martin said while the change was subtle* in appearance, it was important.
“Most people might not notice the change straightaway, and that’s part of the fun. When you find one, you’ll know you’re holding a piece of our shared history,” she said.
“This is the first time since the $1 coin’s introduction in 1984 that we’ve made a change to its iconic design. It’s a moment that connects past and present — celebrating not just our coins, but the creativity and craftsmanship behind them.
”It’s a subtle change, and we encourage everyone to check their change to see if they can find one of these anniversary coins.”
While Australia switched to dollars and cents in 1966, the dollar coin was not brought into circulation until 1984.
Before 1966, Australians purchased goods with Australian pounds, shillings and pence. This system of currency was based on the British Imperial system.
The $1 coin replaced the Australian dollar bill, which had a short circulation life. The combination of paper and high use meant it did not last long – unlike today’s durable polymer currency, which were a world first.
Australia issued the first polymer banknote as a $10 bill to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988.
Stuart Devlin, who also designed the 1, 2, 5, 20 and 50 cent coins, was tasked to put together a design, and his Mob of Roos image has graced the front of the Aussie dollar ever since.
POLL
GLOSSARY
iconic: representing or symbolic of a culture or era
decimal currency: a system of currency where the main unit is divided into 100 smaller units of minor currency based on powers of 10. Australia shifted into decimal currency when it shifted into a dollars and cents system where $1 is equal to 100 cents
circulation: already being used to purchase things by the public
subtle: not very obvious, only a slight change
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QUICK QUIZ
Why has an extra kangaroo been added to the Australian coin?
When did Australia start using dollars and cents?
Which currency did Australia use before dollars and cents were introduced?
Who designed Australia’s coins?
When was the one dollar coin brought out in Australia?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Design your own coin
Design your own 2026 commemorative coin. Your coin must have a theme (it could be an anniversary, milestone, upcoming event, etc.) and include the following;
Theme
A national symbol
Motto
Draw your design below:
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
If you had to replace an item of currency that is currently used and in circulation, which would you choose and why?
Can you think of ways to make people use cash more rather than electronic payment methods?
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Humanities, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.
Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.
Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.
Take two turns each.
Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?
Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?