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 (2022 Perth Mint No. 1) Determination 2022
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.
The Determination is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003. The Determination is not subject to sunsetting under the Legislation Act 2003 on the grounds that the instrument ensures economic certainty (see Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015). The instrument’s operation is integral in ensuring that the currency produced by the Mints becomes, and remains, legal tender unless or until returned to a mint to be taken out of circulation in accordance with the Currency Act 1965.
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 (2022 Perth Mint No. 1) Determination 2022
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 (2022 Perth Mint No. 1) Determination 2022
Section 1 – Name of the Determination
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2022 Perth Mint No. 1) Determination 2022.
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
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.
$25 2022 1/4oz Platinum Australian Florin Coin
The design on the $25 2022 1/4oz platinum Australian florin coin replicates the original 1910 Australian florin designed by William Henry James Blakemore and consists of the Australian coat of arms (used from 1908-1912) and 2 arrow heads. The design includes the following inscriptions: “ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS”; and “1910”.
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”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year, “Xoz 9995 Pt” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals), 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”.
$30 2022 1/3oz Platinum Blue Whale Coin
$25 2022 1/4oz Gold Blue Whale Coin
$2 2022 1.5oz Silver Blue Whale Coin
The design on the 2022 blue whale coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim that is made up of many individual lines. Partially obscuring the border is a representation of a blue whale and a blue whale calf surrounded by a stylised representations of the ocean with light streaming through it. The design includes the following inscriptions: “BLUE WHALE”; “AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY”; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna) and the letter “P”. The $2 silver blue whale 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”; “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; 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; and either “Xoz 9995 Pt”, “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). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
$2 2022 2oz Silver Brumby High Relief Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Brumby Coin
The design on the 2022 silver brumby coins consists of a representation of a horse standing on 3 legs and looking backwards, surrounded by grassy ground amongst a tree and debris from a fallen tree. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN BRUMBY”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “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); “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); and the letter “P”. The $1 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”, “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”.
$1 2022 13.5g Base Metal Budgerigar Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2022 13.5g base metal budgerigar coloured coin consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim. Partially obscuring the border, is a coloured representation of a budgerigar perched on spears of themeda triandra grass, also known as kangaroo grass. A stylised representation of more themeda triandra grass is in the background, enclosed by the circular border and partially obscured by the budgerigar. The design includes the following inscriptions: “BUDGERIGAR”; “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 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 13.5g Base Metal Christmas Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2022 13.5g base metal Christmas coloured coin consists of four stylised and coloured pointed stars, three of the starts are partially obscured by the rim of the coin. The design includes the following inscriptions: “JOY”; “MERRY CHRISTMAS”; “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 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 13.5g Base Metal Free Education 150th Anniversary Coin
The design on the $1 2022 13.5g base metal free education 150th anniversary coin consists of a silhouette representation of a demountable schoolhouse with silhouetted figures of a teacher and five students heading inside. The design includes the following inscriptions: “150TH”; “ANNIVERSARY OF FREE, SECULAR & COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); 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 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 Mythical Creatures – Griffin Coin
$500 2022 5oz Gold Mythical Creatures – Griffin Coin
$100 2022 1oz Platinum Mythical Creatures – Griffin Coin
The design on the 2022 mythical creatures – griffin coins consists of, in the foreground, a representation of a griffin with its wings outstretched standing on top of a rocky ledge. A stylised representation of a mountain top that is partially obscured by clouds is in the background. The design includes the following inscriptions: “MYTHICAL CREATURES GRIFFIN”; “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”; “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; 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 and either “Xoz 9995 Pt” or “Xoz 9999 Au” 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 obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
$2 2022 2oz Silver Mythical Creatures – Phoenix High Relief Coin
$200 2022 2oz Gold Mythical Creatures – Phoenix High Relief Coin
The design on the 2022 mythical creatures – phoenix high relief coins consists of, in the background, stylised clouds. In the foreground, partially obscuring the clouds is a representation of a phoenix in flight, with a flower in its beak. The design includes the following inscriptions: “LB” (being the initials of the designer Lucas Bowers); 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”; “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; 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 and either “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). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
$1 2022 1oz Silver Quokka Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2022 1oz silver quokka coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured representation of a quokka and its joey. In the background, a stylised representation of rocks, coloured plants, leaves, butterflies, and a lizard. The design includes the following inscriptions: “QUOKKA”; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); 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”; “AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; 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 and “Xoz 9999 Ag” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
$1 2022 1oz Silver Super Pit Coin
$100 2022 1oz Gold Super Pit Coin
The design on the 2022 silver and gold super pit coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim, partially obscured by a representation of the Super Pit open cut gold mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and an excavator. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SUPER PIT AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “XOZ 9999 SILVER” or “XOZ 9999 GOLD” 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); “SR” (being the initials of the designer Sean Rogers); 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”, “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”.
$100 2022 1oz Gold Swan High Relief Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Swan Coin
$1 2022 1oz Silver Swan Coloured Coin
$8 2022 5oz Silver Swan High Relief Coin
The design on the 2022 silver and gold swan coins consists of a circular border in the foreground, partially obscuring a representation of two swans on the surface of stylised water in the background. The swans are coloured in the coloured coin. 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); “GOLD SWAN” or “SILVER SWAN” as the case requires; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); and the letter “P”. The $1 2022 1oz silver swan coloured coin also has 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 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 13.5g Base Metal Telegraph 150th Anniversary Coin
The design on the $1 2022 13.5g base metal telegraph 150th anniversary coin consists of a stylised representation of telegraph poles and a telegraph line, beneath a cloudy sky with shadows from the poles on the ground. The design includes the following inscriptions: “150TH ANNIVERSARY”; “THE OVERLAND TELEGRAPH’S COMPLETION”; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); 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 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 Great Southern Air – Australian Gemstone Insert Coin
The design on the $1 2022 1oz silver great southern air Australian gemstone insert coin consists of a circular Australian gem inset representing a map of Australia in the centre of the coin surrounded by a plain border. Surrounding the plain border is a representation of a landscape of hills, flowers, tree branches and the sun with representations of the following Australian animals: an eagle, a kookaburra, a wren, a bee, a butterfly, a sugar glider, a cockatoo and a willy wag tail. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “Xoz 9999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or common fraction in Arabic numerals); “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); 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”, “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 effigy is superimposed over a pattern of converging lines. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
Schedule 1 also makes a minor technical change to the specifications and descriptions, as the case requires, of three previously determined coins to correct minor errors.