EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2021 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2021
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 23 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint and to make technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended.
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 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 Interpretations 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
The Perth Mint undertook consultation among its network of Australian and international wholesale distributors. Authorised Australian distributors of The Perth Mint products are consulted regularly during business meetings and participation at the Australian Numismatic Dealers’ Association Coin, Banknote and Stamp shows. Likewise, international distributors were consulted during a schedule of individual meetings hosted during the World Money Fair held in Berlin and the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money.
Limited consultation was conducted with external parties due to the confidentiality of coin themes and artwork, due to the risk of competitors viewing the innovations and potentially releasing similar coins into the market prior to the release.
Members of the public have the opportunity to contact The Perth Mint to present any themes they would like to see commemorated on Australian legal tender. These concepts are then researched and presented to The Perth Mint’s sales and marketing department for consideration and feedback.
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2021 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2021
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 23 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint and to make technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended.
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 (2021 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2021
Section 1 – Name of the Determination
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2021 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2021.
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 that is specified in the Schedule to this Determination will be amended or repealed as set out in this Schedule.
Schedule 1 – Amendments
The Schedule amends the Currency (Australian Coins) Determination 2019 by adding new coin specifications to Part 2 of Schedule 2021. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.
$100 2022 1oz Gold Australian Nugget 35th Anniversary Kangaroo Coin
The design on the $100 2022 1oz gold Australian nugget 35th anniversary kangaroo coin consists of a stylised representation of a kangaroo surrounded by a circular pattern of stylised sunrays. Partially obscuring the pattern of stylised sunrays, is Stuart Devlin’s original 1987 Welcome Stranger nugget illustration enclosed in a circle. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN”; “NUGGET COIN”; “1987 – 2022”; “35”; “RED KANGAROO”; the letter “P”, and a microscopic “P”.
The obverse side of the coins bear a larger and smaller effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, partially obscuring a circle of stylised sunrays, together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “Xoz 99999 Au” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals), and the inscription, in Arabic 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”.
$100 2022 1oz Gold Dragon Rectangle Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Dragon Rectangle Coin- Bullion
$1 2022 1oz Silver Dragon Rectangle Coin
The design on the 2022 1oz dragon rectangle coins consist of a stylised representation of a Chinese dragon and a flaming pearl. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SR” (being the initials of the designer Sean Rogers); and the letter “P”. The $1 2022 1oz silver dragon rectangle coin – bullion and the $100 2022 1oz gold dragon rectangle coin both have a microscopic “P”.
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”, “AUSTRALIA”, “Xoz 9999 Au” or “Xoz 9999 Ag” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals), and the inscription, in Arabic 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”. In the $1 2022 1oz silver dragon rectangle coin, the effigy is superimposed over radial lines.
$60 2022 2kg Silver Dragon & Tiger High Relief Antiqued Coin
The design on the $60 2022 2kg silver dragon and tiger high relief antiqued coin consists of a circular rim with a pattern of lines surrounding a representation of a head of a dragon and a head of a tiger, which are superimposed over a textured finish. The design includes the following inscriptions: “DRAGON AND TIGER”; “X KILO 9999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in kilograms of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NH” (being the initials of the designer Neil Hollis); and the letter “P”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins, surrounded by circular rim of patterned lines, together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA”, 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”.
$2 2022 2oz Silver Kangaroo Reverse Gilded Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Kangaroo High Relief Coloured Coin
The design on the 2022 kangaroo coins consists of a partial circle enclosing a representation of a bounding kangaroo and joey in the foreground and in the background, a representation of a grassy field and mountains. In the $2 coin, the rim and background are gilded, with the joey in the foreground also gilded. In the $1 coin, the kangaroo, joey, grassy fields and mountains are coloured. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KANGAROO”; “Xoz 9999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NH” (being the initials of the designer Neil Hollis); and the letter “P”.
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”, 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”.
$2 2022 2oz Silver Killer Whale Piedfort Coin
$25 2022 1/4oz Gold Killer Whale Coin
The design on the 2022 killer whale coins consists of a partial circle obscured by a representation of two killer whales porpoising in the ocean with stylised clouds in the sky. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KILLER WHALE”; “XOZ 9999 GOLD” or “XOZ 9999 SILVER” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NH” (being the initials of the designer Neil Hollis); and the letter “P”. The $2 coin is also inscribed with a microscopic “P”.
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”, 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”.
$100 2022 1oz Gold Koala High Relief Coin
The design on the $100 2022 1oz gold koala high relief coin consists of a partial circle enclosing a stylised representation of a koala sleeping on a leafy tree branch. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOALA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “Xoz 9999 GOLD” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); “IJ” (being the initials of the designer Ing Ing Jong); and the letter “P”.
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”, 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”.
$500 2022 5oz Gold Kookaburra High Relief Coin
$200 2022 2oz Gold Kookaburra High Relief Coin
$25 2022 1/4oz Gold Kookaburra Coin
The design on the 2022 gold kookaburra coins consists of a partial circle enclosing a representation of a kookaburra perched on the edge of a bird bath. There are flowers and foliage in the background. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOOKABURRA”; “Xoz 9999 GOLD” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals);
the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); and the letter “P”.
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”, 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”.
$1 2022 1oz Silver Kookaburra with Numbat Privy Coloured Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Kookaburra with Koala Privy Coloured Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Kookaburra with Possum Privy Coloured Coin
The design on the 2022 1oz silver kookaburra with privy mark coloured coins consist of a partial circle enclosing a representation of a kookaburra perched on the edge of a bird bath with foliage in the background. There is a coloured privy mark of either a stylised numbat, koala or possum (as the case requires) enclosed in an oval. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOOKABURRA”; “Xoz 9999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); the letter “P” and a microscopic “P”.
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”, 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”.
$100 2022 1oz Gold Little Hero Nugget Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Little Hero Nugget Coin
$2 2022 2oz Silver Little Hero Nugget Piedfort Coin
The design on the 2022 Little Hero nugget coins consist of a circular border enclosing a representation of Stuart Devlin’s original 1986 Little Hero gold nugget illustration, super imposed over radial lines. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”; “LITTLE HERO 1890”; “Xoz 9999 GOLD” or “Xoz 9999 SILVER” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “SD” (being the initials of Stuart Devlin); the letter “P”; and a microscopic “P”.
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”, 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”.
$100 2022 1oz Platinum Mythical Creatures – Dragon Coin
$2 2022 2oz Silver Mythical Creatures – Dragon High Relief Antiqued Coin
The design on the 2022 mythical creatures dragon coins consist of a representation of stylised clouds in the background. In the foreground is a representation of a stylised dragon holding a pearl. The design includes the following inscription: “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); and the letter “P”.
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”, “AUSTRALIA”, “Xoz 9995 Pt” or “Xoz 9999Ag” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals) and the inscription, in Arabic 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”.
$1 2022 1oz Silver Swan Coin
$100 2022 1oz Gold Swan Coin
The design on the 2022 1oz swan coins consist of a circular border in the foreground, partially obscuring a representation of two swans on the surface of stylised water in the background. The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE XOZ 9999 AUSTRALIAN” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); “SILVER SWAN” or “GOLD SWAN” (as the case requires); “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); the letter “P”; and a microscopic “P”.
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 Arabic 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”.
Schedule 1 also makes a minor technical change to the descriptions of two previously determined coins to correct minor errors.