Description:

This image features a set of three collectible disposable stored value cards, each labeled as a "VISA Cash" card issued in Australia. These cards are part of a December 1996 trial of the VISA Cash Disposable Chip Card series, which incorporated stored value functionality. Each card prominently displays the word "DISPOSABLE" at the top, indicating their non-rechargeable purpose. The set includes cards with different denominations: A$50, A$20, and A$5, with the cards' reverse side containing important terms and conditions. The presence of a chip on each card signifies early adoption of smart card technology in payment systems during the mid-1990s, predating the widespread use of contactless, reloadable cards we see today.

In the middle-left corner of each card is a gold microchip, enabling electronic transactions and representing a significant innovation in prepaid banking cards at the time. The chip is embedded within a round, copper-toned outline reminiscent of Australian coins. Below the chip, the VISA Cash logo appears on a blue background, signifying the connection to the global VISA payment network. The denomination is displayed inside a coin-like circle—an artistic nod to currency—colored to reflect its value: green for the A$50 card, orange for the A$20, and purple for the A$5. This visual design links the stored value on the chip to a tangible monetary measure familiar to Australian users.

The back of the cards feature logos of several prominent Australian financial institutions—ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, and Westpac—indicating their participation in the VISA Cash program. Below these logos, the card details essential terms: the stored value is neither refundable nor creditable if lost or stolen. This critical detail emphasizes the card’s function as a disposable stored value tool. It is also noted that the card is only valid at VISA Cash terminals in the Gold Coast region, suggesting this rollout was a localized pilot project prior to broader national deployment. Customer service contact information is provided for balance inquiries, reinforcing the card’s role as a convenient short-term payment method.

Overall, this set of 3 cards marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Australian payment systems, showcasing early adoption of chip technology in stored value cards. Each card’s design thoughtfully links electronic banking with familiar currency imagery, easing users into a new form of financial transaction. Their disposable nature positions them as an intriguing transitional form between traditional cash and modern electronic wallets, intended for limited-use prepaid value. As artifacts from a 1996 pilot, these smart cards hold collectible interest, offering a unique snapshot of Australia’s banking innovation during that decade.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.