EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Perth Mint No. 6) Determination 2023
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 16 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by The Perth 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.
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 (2023 Perth Mint No. 6) Determination 2023
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 16 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by The Perth 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 (2023 Perth Mint No. 6) Determination 2023
Section 1 – Name of the Determination
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Perth Mint No. 6) Determination 2023.
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. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.
$1 2024 1oz Silver Happy Birthday Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2024 1oz silver Happy Birthday coloured coin consists of an aerial view of stylised coloured elements of a birthday party, that is partially obscured by the rim of the coin, including:
- a representation of an iced cake topped with candles, fruits and macarons sitting on a plate; and
- a representation of a slice of the iced cake on a plate; and
- a representation of stacked cups; and
- a representation of a jug filled with lemonade with lemon slices and a herb floating in the lemonade; and
- a representation of straws; and
- a representation of wrapped gifts; and
- a representation of balloons; and
- a representation of iced cupcakes; and
- a representation of a platter with fruits and sandwiches; and
- a representation of confetti; and
- a representation of streamers.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”; 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); “IJ” (being the initials of the designer Ing Ing Jong); and the letter “P”.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$60 2024 2kg Silver Honey Bee Antiqued Coin
The design on the $60 2024 2kg silver honey bee antiqued coin consists of a representation of honey bees collecting pollen from a representation of flowers. There is a representation of a ribbon banner containing the words “HONEY BEE”. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “XKILO 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); “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); and “P125”.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$100 2024 1oz Gold Kangaroo Coin
$50 2024 1/2oz Gold Kangaroo Coin
$25 2024 1/4oz Gold Kangaroo Coin
$15 2024 1/10oz Gold Kangaroo Coin
The design on the 2024 gold kangaroo coins consists of a partial circle enclosing a representation of a bounding kangaroo on rocky ground next to a stream. In the background, there is a representation of a water tank and a multi-blade wind-powered water pump. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KANGAROO”; 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); “WR” (being the initials of the designer Wade Robinson); and “P125”. The $100 coin includes a microscopic “P”.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$1 2024 1oz Silver Red Kangaroo Coin
$100 2024 1oz Platinum Red Kangaroo Coin
The design on the 2024 1oz red kangaroo coins consists of a pattern of wavy lines immediately inside the rim, enclosing a representation of a bounding kangaroo surrounded by stylised sunrays. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO”; “P125”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; and “Xoz 9999 SILVER” or “Xoz 9995 PLATINUM” 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 platinum coin includes a microscopic “P”.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$30 2024 1kg Silver Kookaburra Coin
$10 2024 10oz Silver Kookaburra Coin
$1 2024 1oz Silver Kookaburra Coin
The design on the 2024 silver kookaburra coins consists of a partial circular border enclosing a stylised representation of a kookaburra in flight gripping a snake in its talons. Beneath the kookaburra, there is a stylised representation of mountains. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOOKABURRA”; “2024”; “XKILO 9999 SILVER” or “Xoz 9999 SILVER” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in kilograms or 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); “P125”; and a microscopic “P”.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
50c 2024 1/2oz Silver Newborn Coloured Coin
The design on the 50c 2024 1/2oz silver newborn coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured stylised representation of a very young kookaburra, kangaroo and koala. In the background, there is a pattern comprised of stylised representations of acacia flowers and foliage. The design includes the following inscriptions: “CONGRATULATIONS!”; “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); the letter “P”; and the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, 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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$1 2024 1oz Silver One Love Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2024 1oz silver one love coloured coin consists of a representation of two doves in flight, a coloured representation of the infinity symbol, and stylised flowers and leaves. The design includes the following inscriptions: “two hearts”; “two lives”; “One Love”; “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); the letter “P”; and the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, 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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$1 2024 1oz Silver Wedding Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2024 1oz silver wedding coloured coin consists of a representation of a male wearing a suit and tie, holding a female wearing a veil and a long flowing layered wedding dress with a coloured representation of two rings entwined. The design includes the following inscriptions: “Congratulations”; “Xoz 9999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in kilograms or 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); the letter “P”; and the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
$1 2024 1oz Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Coin
$1 2024 1oz Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Coloured Coin
The design on the $1 2024 1oz silver wedge-tailed eagle coins consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of a flash of light. In the foreground, and partially obscuring the circular border and the flash of light, there is a stylised representation of an eagle with its wings outstretched. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE”; “10TH ANNIVERSARY”; 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 John Mercanti); “P125”; and a microscopic “P”. On the coloured coin, the stylised representation of the eagle is coloured.
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning sovereign appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “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 Dan Thorne “DT”.