Australian conspiracy theorists believe $10 bill contains hidden message showing coronavirus is global plot to vaccinate people

Mysterious virus-like symbol is actually country’s national flower

A specimen copy of the $10 Australian bank note introduced in 2017. Are those coronaviruses dotted about? Must be evidence of a global plot (Reserve Bank of Australia)

An Australian bank note is the latest target of conspiracy theorists who do not believe the threat from coronavirus is real.

In the bottom right-hand corner of the $10 note sits a spiky design superficially reminiscent of the Covid-19 virus particle with which the world is now familiar.

A new conspiracy claim apparently suggests it may represent “proof” the global Covid-19 pandemic is an elaborate hoax, hidden in the notes first released in 2017.

According to Australian news website News.com.au, a post on a popular local anti-coronavirus Facebook group includes a photo of a design on the note with the caption: “The new $10 Australian note complete with coronavirus symbols. You can’t make this up! #areyouawakeyet.”

Reportedly, the group, which has organised small protests in Sydney and Melbourne, believe the pandemic is an orchestrated effort by billionaires and governments to force vaccinations on the general population.

Supporters of the group have reportedly pointed to a bogus video titled “Plandemic” which purports to provide evidence for a host of conspiracy theories loosely tied to the Covid-19 outbreak.

These include a claim from Judy Mikovits, an anti-vaccine activist, who states that wearing masks somehow activates the disease within people. She doesn’t provide any evidence for this spurious assertion and criticises orders to stay away from beaches. The entire video has been debunked.

The movement has also incorporated other baseless beliefs, including that 5G mobile antennas are dangerous to human health and are somehow related to coronavirus. All this has also been debunked.

The design on the bank note features three spiky circular shapes, which could be said to look a bit like highly magnified viruses.

The flowers of the golden wattle are Australia's official floral emblem (Getty ) (Getty)

There is, however, a simpler explanation: the design represents the round spiky shape of bramble wattle flowers. The plant, a type of acacia, is native to Australia. Its close relative, the golden wattle, was made the official floral emblem of the country in 1988.