EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Treasurer
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 5) Determination 2020
Subsection 13(2) and section 13A of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) provide that the Treasurer may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics including denomination, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.
The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 24 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.
The Treasurer may authorise the making and issuing of coins specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965. A payment of money is a legal tender if it is made in coins that are made and issued under the Currency Act 1965. Through the issue of a currency determination, the Treasurer can add, remove and alter the coin characteristics specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.
In accordance with section 19 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, any Minister in the Treasury portfolio may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics.
Details of the legislative instrument are set out in the Attachment.
The legislative instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
The legislative instrument is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003.
Consultation
No public consultation was undertaken in relation to this legislative instrument. The effect of this instrument is to determine details of new Australian coin characteristics which will enable the Royal Australian Mint to continue its production of circulating and numismatic coins.
Members of the public have the opportunity to contact the Royal Australian Mint to present any themes they would like to see commemorated on Australian legal tender. These concepts are then researched and assessed in accordance with the Royal Australian Mint’s Coin Design Policy. The Royal Australian Mint also uses market based tools to identify interested parties and gauge interest in coin themes.
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 5) Determination 2020
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument
The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 24 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.
Human rights implications
This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Conclusion
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
ATTACHMENT
Details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 5) Determination 2020
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 5) Determination 2020 (the Determination).
Section 1 – Name
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 5) Determination 2020.
Section 2 – Commencement
This section prescribes that the Determination commences the day after the Determination is registered.
Section 3 – Authority
This section provides that the Determination is made under the Currency Act 1965.
Section 4 – Schedule
This section provides that each instrument specified in a Schedule to the Determination is amended or repealed as set out in the Schedule.
Schedule 1 – Amendments
Schedule 1 amends the Currency (Australian Coins) Determination 2019 by adding the details of new coin characteristics and making technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.
New non-circulating coins
2021 $1 1/2oz Coloured Silver Uncirculated Coin – Star Dreaming - The Shark in the Stars
A design consisting of a colour print of a section of the artwork by Torres Strait Islander artist, Segar Passi, of the constellation known as ‘Beizam the Shark’. Outside the coloured area, in the background, are five curved lines. Superimposed over the lines, in the foreground, is a representation of a female figure kneeling tending to a garden in the rain and, in the background, a hill and a bolt of lightning. The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE SHARK IN THE STARS”; and “1/2 oz .999 Ag”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 Copper Uncirculated Coin – 1911-1936 Australian Penny
A design, inspired by the Australian penny designed by WHJ Blakemore (minted from 1911 to 1936), consisting of a patterned border and two dots immediately inside the rim of the coin and, inside the border, a central circle and two ornamental flourishes. The design includes the following inscriptions: “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA’; and “ONE DOLLAR”; and the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in numerals, of a year; and “MG”.
2021 $1 Copper Uncirculated Coin – 1938- 1964 Australian Penny
A design, inspired by the Australian penny designed by George Kruger Gray (minted from 1938 to 1964), consisting of a patterned border immediately inside the rim of the coin and, inside the border, a stylised representation of a kangaroo and representation of the Commonwealth Star (also known as the Star of Federation). The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA’” ”1 DOLLAR”; and the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in numerals, of a year; and “MG”.
2021 $2 Gold Frosted Uncirculated Coin – Mini Money: Koala
A design consisting of a stylised representation of a koala on a branch and, in the background and partially obscured by the koala, a stylised representation of a gumtree. The design includes the following inscriptions: “1/2g .9999 Au”; and the initials of the designer Adam William Ball “AWB”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 ‘C’ Mintmark Fine Silver Proof Coin– Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
2021 $10 ‘C’ Mintmark Gold Proof Coin– Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
2021 $1 AlBr ‘C’ Mintmark Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”; and “C”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘S’ Privy Mark Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”; and “S” enclosed in a square.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘M’ Privy Mark Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”; and “M” enclosed in a square.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘B’ Privy Mark Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”; and “B” enclosed in a square.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘Envelope’ Privy Mark Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines, a stylised representation of an envelope, and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; and the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘Australia’ Counterstamp Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines, a stylised and simplistic map of Australia enclosed in a circle, and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; and the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘S’ Counterstamp Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines, the letter “S” enclosed in a circle, and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; and the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 AlBr ‘Aeroplane’ Counterstamp Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines, an outline of a stylised Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aeroplane enclosed in a circle, and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; and the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
A design consisting of a front view of three airborne aeroplanes (a S.E.5a; a Lockheed P-3 Orion; and a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) and, in the background, four thick decorative lines and a wedge-tailed eagle in flight (as it is depicted on the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force). The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE”; “1921”; “2021”; and the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2021 $100 1oz Gold Coin – Beneath the Southern Skies
2021 $1 1oz Silver Coin – Beneath the Southern Skies
A design consisting of a stylised map of Australia containing a textured pattern with, superimposed on a part of the map, the silhouette of a platypus. In the foreground, partially obscuring the map of Australia, is a stylised representation of the Southern Cross constellation and straight lines positioned in an irregular pattern. In the background is the equator, latitude lines, longitude lines and an ornamental pattern. The design includes the following inscriptions: Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars, of the denomination of the coin, followed by “DOLLAR” or “DOLLARS” as the case requires, and “1oz .9999 GOLD” or “1oz .9999 SILVER” as the case requires.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”. Behind the effigy, a representation the equator, latitude lines, longitude lines and an ornamental pattern.
2021 $100 1oz Gold Coin – Commonwealth Coat of Arms
2021 $1 1oz Silver Coin – Commonwealth Coat of Arms
A design consisting of a stylised representation of a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch and, in the background, stylised representations of the floral emblems of Australia’s six States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, and a representation of the Commonwealth Star (also known as the Star of Federation). On an ornamental shield is the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR” or “DOLLARS”, as the case requires; and on an ornamental scroll, partially obscured by the representation of the kangaroo, is the inscription: “AUSTRALIA”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes a representation of an emu standing over a nest of eggs and, in the background, a representation of golden wattle, a representation of the Commonwealth Star (also known as the Star of Federation), a stylised scroll, and the following inscriptions: the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”; and “1 OUNCE.9999 Au” or “1 OUNCE .999 Ag”, as the case requires.
2021 $100 1oz Gold Triangular Coin – Zeewijk
2021 $1 1oz Silver Triangular Coin – Zeewijk
A triangular design consisting of an ornamental border comprised of a coat of arms bearing the Dutch East India Company logo, a stylised representation of marine ropes, an ornamental steering wheel, and a stylised representation of a compass. Inside the border is a representation of the Zeewijk vessel in full sail. The design includes the following inscriptions, written upside down: “ZEEWIJK”; “1727”, and “1 oz .9999 Au” or “1 oz .999 Ag” as the case requires. The design is also inscribed with the initials of the designer, Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year and the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”. Below the effigy, in the background, is a stylised representation of a capsized ship, and representations of men carrying planks of wood from the shipwreck. In the foreground are representations of two men assembling the hull of a ship and of a woman hammering nails into a plank of wood, a representation of a ship in full sail, and two people standing and waving at the ship. The design includes the following inscriptions “ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS” or “ONE DOLLAR”, as the case requires.
2021 $1 1oz Silver Antique Triangular Antique Coin – Zeewijk
A triangular design consisting of an ornamental border comprised of a coat of arms bearing the Dutch East India Company logo, a stylised representation of marine ropes, an ornamental steering wheel, and a stylised representation of a compass. Inside the border is a representation of the Zeewijk vessel in full sail. The design includes the following inscriptions, written upside down: “ZEEWIJK”; “1727”, and or “1 oz .999 Ag”. The design is also inscribed with the initials of the designer, Aleksandra Stokic “AS”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”. Below the effigy, in the background, is a stylised representation of a capsized ship, and representations of men carrying planks of wood from the shipwreck. In the foreground, are representations of two men assembling the hull of a ship and of a woman hammering nails into a plank of wood, a representation of a ship in full sail, and two people standing and waving at the ship. The design includes the following inscription “ONE DOLLAR”.
2021 $50 1/2oz Gold Coin – Lunar Year of the Ox
2021 $25 1/4oz Gold Coin – Lunar Year of the Ox
A design consisting of a stylised representation of willow branches in the background, partially obscured by a crescent shape and a representation of an ox. Surrounded by the crescent shape are the following inscriptions: “YEAR OF THE OX”; the Chinese language character “牛”, pronounced niú under the Pinyin system and meaning ox; and “1/2oz .9999 Au” or “1/4oz .9999 Au” as the case requires. The design also includes the initials of the designer, Bronwyn King “BK”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design also includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”. The effigy is surrounded by an ornamental border comprising stylised representations of splashing water. Immediately inside the rim of the coin is a border consisting of stylised representations of each of the following: a rat; a pig; a dog; a rooster; a monkey; a goat; a horse; a snake; a dragon; a rabbit; a tiger; and an ox.