Australian banknotes are considered some of the most secure in the world.
And that’s certainly the case with the $10 bill, which was given an elaborate upgrade on September 20 with a rolling colour effect when you tilt it, a flying cockatoo which changes colour and two raised bumps on either end of the note to help the visually impaired.
Many of the old features on the iconic note remained the same after the revamp, including the inclusion of Dame Mary Gilmore and AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson.
Many of the old features on the iconic note remained the same after the revamp, including the inclusion of Dame Mary Gilmore and AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson (pictured)
But what many people don’t know is there are excerpts of Paterson’s ‘The Man From Snowy River’ written on it, hidden behind the artist’s impression of the Aussie writers.
In a micro-sized font, which isn’t easily read by the naked eye, one can make out the start of the poem: ‘There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around. That the colt from old regret had got away, and had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound, so all the cracks had gathered to the fray.’
Some of the reason this has gone undetected for so long may be because of its size – with a microscope or similar equipment needed to read it.
Some of the reason this has gone undetected for so long may be because of its size – with a microscope or similar equipment needed to read it
In a micro-sized font, which isn’t easily read by the naked eye, one can make out the start of the poem (right)
‘You’ve got to admit, our money is a work of art. Every little detail that they put into it, truly is amazing,’ a Reddit commenter wrote.
But Paterson isn’t the only represented artist on the note.
Beside the impression of Mary Gilmore are excerpts from her work ‘No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest’, which was written in 1940.
‘You’ve got to admit, our money is a work of art. Every little detail that they put into it, truly is amazing,’ a Reddit commenter wrote
The bill continues its theme of outback Australia with a wattle branch printed with fluorescent ink – making it only visible under UV light.
There is also a horseman from the era of Paterson’s writing – although the old note had the words ‘Waltzing Matilda’ emblazoned across it, the latest one doesn’t.
While there was some uproar when the reprinted $5 note first came into circulation, Australians overall seem impressed by the colour and features on the $10 variant.