The shilling was issued as part of Australia's silver coinage, which included the two-shilling (florin), the sixpence and the threepence.

On 14 February 1966 these Australian silver coins (along with the rest of Australia's pre decimal coinage) were slowly phased out over time in accordance with the Currency Act 1965.

Between 10 February 1825 and 10 June 1836, the British Royal Mint shipped silver coins worth 166,000 pounds to Australia.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Australia prepared for the conversion of its currency to the decimal system that would be described as “C-Day” on Monday 14 February 1966.

[7] After the introduction of Australia's decimal currency on 14 February 1966, the shilling became the equivalent of 10 cents in the new Australian dollar system.

[8] There were a number of different types of Australian shilling due to the changes in the obverse and reverse design that occurred between 1909 and 1963.

This was Australia's first design of the coat of arms and was granted by royal warrant from King Edward VII.

The ram's head and horn placement was considered to be so correct, that it was decided that his visage would be placed on the reverse design of the Australian shilling six years later in 1938.

[10][11] The first shillings struck in 1910 bore the visage of King Edward VII on the obverse side of the coin which was designed by George W. De Saules.

However, there are coins that are extremely rare using the reverse intended for Edward VIII's coinage and bearing his image on the obverse that are dated 1937.

The Royal Australian Mint describes this as, "By tradition, each new monarch faced a different way on the portrait of his or her coinage" to their predecessor.

Thomas Humphrey Paget designed the obverse side of King George VI's coins, whose visage faced the same direction as his father, since the coins of George VI's brother, Edward VIII were meant to face the opposite direction of their father.

[6] Both British and Australian shillings bore the letters “F:D” representing the phrase Defender of the Faith, which is a title held by the English monarch, who is also the supreme governor of the Church of England.

[16] There was controversy surrounding the first shillings issued for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, since these coins did not bear the “F:D” inscription on the obverse design.