Obsolete coins and notes

A reader, David Buckingham, has sent me a copy of an request he made to the Reserve Bank asking how many obsolete and notes have they received in the last three years. The Reserve Bank will still take old currency, even when no longer legal tender. In a couple of years ago I did a clean up of old coins at my place and took them to the reserve Bank direct credited the value to my bank account.

What is surprising is how many old notes and coins are out there. Here is the number of coins and note returned from 2011 on:

  • 1c coins – 142,276
  • 2c coins – 154,760
  • 5c coins – 1,789,596
  • $1 notes – 25,285
  • $2 notes – 41,330

But the RBNZ is still getting some pre-decimal currency is. They also have received:

  • 10/- notes – 167
  • £1 notes – 187
  • £5 notes – 188
  • £10 notes – 8

And some old coins:

  • Halfpennies – 7,080
  • Pennies – 13,352
  • Threepennies – 90,676
  • Halfcrowns – 31,320

Amazing how long old currency stays in circulation.

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