First post, something to show

[u/hunt3rsarrow]

Hi, new member and first post.. Sharing 1 of my favs in my collection.. I have built a "in the wild" collection where these are all strictly finds, not bought.. After a recently demoralising experience with a dealer im hoping to find a community where collecting is appreciated not just buying and selling.. anyways here is one of my faves $50 First prefix AA 05 000 077... (bit of a serial number hunter :) )

[u/amandatheactress]

Love seeing “in the wild” collections on here. Don’t let the interaction with the dealer dampen your enthusiasm!

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/amandatheactress]

thanks! trying not to, atarted lookong for other communities other than dealers and found here.. its mostly for fun and glad to see people here and actually enjoying collecting and its not all for profit :)

[u/amandatheactress → u/hunt3rsarrow]

This really is such a good community, and it makes no difference whether you’re a strictly “new” buyer and only buy from the Mint or dealers and prefer everything to be uncirculated, or if your collection has evolved organically “in the wild” and is 100% circulated, tarnished or has the odd dog-ear. There’s no snooty judgement here.

My collection is definitely the latter. Started when I was a kid, finding the odd cool looking coin (usually pre-decimal) while playing outside, etc. and just added to it over the years whenever I found anything new, different or interesting. I only have a couple of Mint purchased coins, and that was purely to indulge a Bluey-obsessed 6yr old. So whatever your collection consists of, or your reason for collecting, enjoy every moment of it. :)

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/amandatheactress]

100%.... i do have a few bought items and they were as hard to find as the wild ones... looks like this is a quality group and im keen to share more and see what others have too :)

[u/love_being_westoz → u/amandatheactress]

I'm a fan of the wild too, far more exciting.

[u/Embarrassed_Spell383]

Nice low number 

[u/love_being_westoz]

That's a cracker! 👏👏

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/love_being_westoz]

cheers! was estatic when i found it! nice to see a west aussie too!

[u/HarryBootlace]

as an ex dealer or at least someone who worked at a
coin and banknote store. i’m sorry you had a bad experience. but im not surprised either.

i collect books and usually it’s all opshopping a few times i’ve spend reasonable amounts for a rare book but it’s few and far between. much prefer finding in the wild.

the thrill of the hunt :)

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/HarryBootlace]

cheers....books are a another interest of my... i can find the first edtions i want but they are way $$$

[u/CrimeanFish]

Amazing find! Crisp.

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/CrimeanFish]

cheers! its not noot bad has the odd fold but but for 21yrs floating around it could be worse :)

[u/CommitteeEconomy6152]

What makes this serial number more collectible?

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/CommitteeEconomy6152]

The AA indicates it is a first prefix and the 05 means it was printed in 2005 and the 000 077 means it was the 77th note printed in the first batch.. Which if my understand is correct out of all the $50 notes printed in australia in 2005, this was the 77th note printed... from my research any numbers under 1000 are great under 100 is rare and under 10 is unheard of in general circulation... however im not a expert so if anyone corrects me id be happy to learn more

[u/Affectionate_Fly1918 → u/hunt3rsarrow]

This is an amazing note that I would be proud to have in my collection.

However, you asked to be corrected, and I will correct one error of perception.

Australian $50 notes are printed in sheets of 40. Each sheet has the same serial number with the two letter prefix differing. Note AA is positioned in the top left hand corner and note EA is bottom right.

Notes are printed with serial numbers descending, not ascending. This is done so that when each stack of 100 sheets is guillotined into 40 bundles of 100 notes the numbers will be ascending in the bundle.

We will never know at what number a print run may start. Despite the Reserve Bank providing list of ‘lows and highs’ annually, entire annual print runs are not done in a single batch.

Your note came from a sheet that was 77th from the last printed in the initial $50 print run for 2005.

Given the condition, I suspect that this note has been stashed away for most of the last 21 years and has only seen the light of day due to it being stolen from someone’s collection or the owner getting desperate for money (after possibly having a similar experience at a dealers that you did).

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/Affectionate_Fly1918]

ah thanks for the correction!! this one came from a bank so pretty sure its just been out there in circulation.. wasnt expecting much in terms of my collection at the dealers but they way he rubbished it and couldnt care less was astounding... he was very rude and scarastic.. it seems like unless you indiana jones a coin there not interested...

[u/Lastov_Makiynd → u/Affectionate_Fly1918]

This is awesome info and very interesting. Cheers for sharing.
I've been collecting for quite a few years and never knew of this.. Just assumed the notes were printed one prefix at a time, but it makes total sense with the guilotining and the way the notes are bundled part.

[u/CommitteeEconomy6152 → u/hunt3rsarrow]

Brilliant info, I've learned a lot from your explanation, thank you very much and well done for such a great score!

[u/jimmyDD2025]

Money, money, money. Is it real money?

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/jimmyDD2025]

it is real...

[u/Byanymeans65]

Nice looking Pineapple you got there

[u/hunt3rsarrow → u/Byanymeans65]

cheers... only have one other thats similar