The "Everything $1 and Under" Quiz

Answer: 1992

The 1- and 2-cent coins of Australia were removed from the currency system in February 1992, because the metal the coins were made from was more expensive than the value of the coins. Both coins were made primarily from copper, with small amounts of zinc and tin.

The 1-cent coin featured a feathertail glider on one side, and the 2-cent coin had a frill-necked lizard. After circulation of the coins was ceased, the remaining coins were melted down and became the bronze medals for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Answer: Yes

Introduced in 1966, the 1-dollar note was designed to replace the 10-shilling note because of the change to decimal currency. The note was circulated for 18 years, before it was replaced by the 1-dollar coin.

Answer: 10-cent coin

Only 20-cent, 50-cent, and 1-dollar coins are used to make commemorative coins, as they are larger and thus have enough space for a new design for a particular event or occasion. Memorable commemorative coins include the 2001 1-dollar coin to celebrate the Centenary of Federation, and the 2006 50-cent coin for the Commonwealth Games, held in Melbourne.

Answer: Copper

In 5-, 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins, the main ingredient is cupronickel, an alloy of copper and nickel (commonly in a 75/25 proportion), and sometimes containing trace amounts of manganese. Despite the large amount of copper, the colour of cupronickel is silver.

Answer: Australian Coat of Arms

The 50-cent coin, first minted in 1969, is a twelve-sided (dodecagonal) coin featuring the Australian Coat of Arms on one side, and the head of Queen Elizabeth II on the other. At first, the 50-cent coin was round and made of roughly 20% copper and 80% silver, but as the price of silver rose, the composition changed to 75% copper and 25% nickel.

It is the heaviest of the Australian coins.

Answer: Canada

A platypus swimming in water is depicted on the 20-cent coin, as it has been since 1966. The Royal Australian Mint could not cope with the large number of 20-cent coins required in 1981, so some coins where minted at the Royal Mint in London and the Royal Canadian Mint, both of these countries being Commonwealth nations.

Answer: Echidna

In 2007, the actual value of a 5-cent coin was higher than the face value due to the cost of the metals, however there weren't any reported cases of people melting down the coins for profit. Recently, there has been talk of removing the 5-cent coin from the monetary system, much like the 1- and 2-cent coins.

Answer: Five

Five kangaroos can be found on the 1-dollar coin, first minted in 1984. It, along with the 2-dollar coin, contains copper and nickel (predominantly the former), like the four smaller denominations, but also contains a small amount of aluminium.

Answer: 10-cent coin

The 10-cent coin is the second lowest valued coin currently circulated in Australia. As with all other coins, the Queen's head is on one side. A lyrebird is on the other side, specifically, a male Superb Lyrebird. The reason for choosing this particular type of lyrebird is that it has more striking tail feathers than the female of the species.

Answer: Canberra

Opened on the 22nd of February 1965, the Royal Australian Mint is where the currency of Australia is produced. Originally, Australian coins were made at branches of the Royal Mint in London, in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The Perth Mint is the only other mint currently operating in Australia.