Australian $50 Note Typo: 46 Million Banknotes Printed With a Spelling Error

02/12/2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has confirmed that 46 million of the new Australian $50 notes were printed with a spelling mistake — a tiny typo hidden in the banknote's micro-text.

With a face value totaling approximately $2.3 billion, the misprint has caused red faces at the RBA and sparked interest among collectors across the country.

And yes — i own a first-series AA1 note, I may be holding a fascinating piece of currency history.

Where Is the Spelling Mistake on the $50 Note?

The typo appears in the micro-text printed on the side featuring Edith Cowan, Australia's first female Member of Parliament.

The word "responsibility" is misspelled in the text of Cowan's historic parliamentary speech.

The quote reads:

"It is a great responsibilty to be the only woman here, and I want to emphasize the necessity which exists for other women being here."

The missing letter "i" in "responsibility" went unnoticed during production and was replicated across tens of millions of notes.

Why Does the $50 Note Contain Micro-Text?

The redesigned $50 banknote was introduced in October as part of Australia's next-generation polymer currency upgrade.

The update included:

Advanced anti-counterfeiting technology
Enhanced durability
Improved accessibility features
Tactile raised bumps for the vision-impaired

The micro-text itself features excerpts from:

David Unaipon's book Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines
Edith Cowan's first speech to Parliament

These microscopic details are intended as security elements — but in this case, they also carried an unfortunate typo.

Reserve Bank Response to the $50 Note Error

An RBA spokesperson confirmed:

"The Reserve Bank of Australia is aware of it and the spelling will be corrected at the next print run."

Importantly, the banknotes remain legal tender and continue to circulate normally.

The RBA emphasized that the error does not affect the security or usability of the note.

Is the Misprinted $50 Note Valuable?

Because the $50 note is Australia's most widely circulated banknote, the typo appears on millions of notes currently in wallets and cash registers.

However, collectors are especially interested in:

First print runs
AA1 prefix notes
Uncirculated condition notes

While it's too early to determine long-term collector value, early-series error notes often attract attention in the numismatic market.

If you own a first-series AA1 $50 note with the typo, it may be worth keeping in pristine condition.

About Australia's Polymer Banknotes

Australia was among the first countries in the world to introduce polymer banknotes in 1988. Compared to paper currency, polymer notes:

Last longer
Resist damage
Offer improved security features
Allow for tactile accessibility elements

The upgraded series has already seen new $5 and $10 notes released, with a redesigned $20 note following later.

Despite the typo, the new $50 note remains one of the most technologically advanced banknotes in circulation.

Final Thoughts

The Australian $50 note typo is a reminder that even with advanced technology and rigorous checks, small human errors can still slip through.

With 46 million misprinted notes in circulation, it may not be rare — but it is certainly historic.

If you have a first-series AA1 note tucked away, you might be holding a curious collector's item from one of Australia's most talked-about currency updates.