EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 3) 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 19 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian 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 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
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 (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 3) 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 19 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian 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 (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 3) Determination 2023
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 3) Determination 2023 (the Determination).
Section 1 – Name
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 3) 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 and making technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.
New non-circulating coins
2023 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin – 50th Anniversary of AC/DC
2023 50c Silver Antique Coin – 50th Anniversary of AC/DC
The design on the 2023 50c coins – 50th Anniversary of AC/DC consists of, in the background, a stylised representation of a loudspeaker. Superimposed over the loudspeaker is the logo of the rock band AC/DC, with lightning emanating from the logo to the rim of the coin resulting in shadows being cast from the logo to the rim. There is a pattern of filigree around the edge of the coin. The design includes the following inscriptions: “1973-2023”; and “50”. The logo is coloured on the coloured coin.
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”, “2023”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 50c Gold Proof Coin – 50th Anniversary of AC/DC
The design on the 2023 50c gold proof coin – 50th Anniversary of AC/DC consists of a stylised representation of lightning bolts running diagonally from the top to the bottom of the coin. There is a representation of the logo of rock band AC/DC partially obscuring some of the lightning bolts. There are stylised representations of badges (pinned to a stylised representation of denim) containing the logo of, and designs associated with, the music rock band AC/DC. The design includes the following inscriptions: “1973-2023”; and “50”.
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”, “2023”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 50c Uncirculated Coin – Dorothea Mackellar, My Country
The design on the 2023 50c uncirculated coin – Dorothea Mackellar, My Country consists of an aerial view of a landscape with stylised representations of:
- the sun, clouds, lightning and rain; and
- open fields and farmland; and
- mountains and hills; and
- rivers, lakes and forests; and
- the ocean.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “My Country”; “50”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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”, “2023”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 50c Uncirculated Coin – Dorothea Mackellar, The Colours of Light
The design on the 2023 50c uncirculated coin – Dorothea Mackellar, The Colours of Light consists of, in the background, stylised rays of light emanating from the sun. Superimposed over the sun rays are stylised representations of:
- a dove; and
- a lyrebird; and
- a wattle branch; and
- a rosewood branch; and
- gum nuts and leaves; and
- ears of wheat; and
- flowing water and rocks; and
- bubbles.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “The Colours of Light”; “50”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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”, “2023”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 50c Uncirculated Coin – Dorothea Mackellar, Dawn
The design on the 2023 50c uncirculated coin – Dorothea Mackellar, Dawn consists of a view of a landscape with stylised representations of:
- in the background, the sun and clouds; and
- hills, grass and trees; and
- a road; and
- a silhouette of a house; and
- a spider’s web.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “Dawn”; “50”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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”, “2023”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $25 ¼ oz Gold Proof Coin – 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Patterns – Design 1
2023 $25 ¼ oz Gold Proof Coin – 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Patterns – Design 2
2023 $25 ¼ oz Gold Proof Coin – 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Patterns – Design 3
2023 $25 ¼ oz Gold Proof Coin – 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Patterns – Design 4
The design on the 2023 $25 ¼ oz gold proof coins - 170th Anniversary of the Port Phillip Gold Patterns consists of a circular border with a cross-hatching pattern surrounding:
- a stylised representation of a kangaroo standing on a patch of grass and the ground; and
- a circle enclosing the Arabic numeral or common fraction of either “¼”, “½”, “1” or “2”, as the case requires.
The designs includes the following inscriptions: “PORT PHILLIP AUSTRALIA”; “Xoz. .9999 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 “1853-2023”.
Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins and is surrounded by a circular border with a cross-hatching pattern, together with the inscriptions: “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2023”, 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, “PURE AUSTRALIAN GOLD", and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $3000 1kg Gold Proof Coin – 50th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House
The design on the 2023 $3000 1kg gold proof coin – 50th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House consists of, in the foreground and partially obscured by the rim of the coin, a stylised representation of the Sydney Opera House (as viewed from the west) with the northerly half of the House cut into a cross-section. In the background, there is a stylised representation of a rising sun, featuring eleven concentric semicircles. A stylised representation of rippling water is at the bottom of the coin. There is a representation of the logo for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. The design includes the following inscriptions: “Xkg .9999 Au” (where “X” is the nominal weight in kilograms of the coin, expressed as a whole number or common fraction in Arabic numerals); and “Sydney Opera House”.
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”, “2023”, 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 “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $100 1 oz Gold Investment Coin - Australian Dolphin Series – Rough-Toothed Dolphin
2023 $1 1 oz Silver Investment Coin - Australian Dolphin Series – Rough-Toothed Dolphin
2023 $5 5 oz Silver 5th Anniversary Investment Coin - Australian Dolphin Series – Rough-Toothed Dolphin
2023 $5 1 oz Silver High Relief Proof Coin - Australian Dolphin Series - Rough-Toothed Dolphin
The design on the 2023 coins – Australian Dolphin Series – Rough-Toothed Dolphin consists of a circular border surrounding. and partially obscured by, a representation of a rough-toothed dolphin porpoising out of splashing water. Within the border, at the bottom of the coin, there is a representation of a partially submerged rough-toothed dolphin emerging from splashing water with its mouth open. In the background, there is a stylised representation of a rising sun on the horizon. The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN”; and either “Xoz .9999 FINE GOLD” or “Xoz .999 FINE 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).
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”, “2023”, 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 “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $100 1 oz Gold Investment Coin - Australia Zoo White Rhinoceros
The design on the 2023 $100 1 oz gold investment coin – Australia Zoo White Rhinoceros consists of a representation of a female rhinoceros with her calf situated on a stylised representation of rough terrain. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA ZOO”; “SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS”; “Xoz. .9999 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 “AWB” (being the initials of the designer, Adam William Ball).
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”, “2023”, 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 “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $1 1 oz Silver Investment Coin - Australia Zoo White Rhinoceros
The design on the 2023 $1 1 oz silver investment coin – Australia Zoo White Rhinoceros consists of, in the foreground, a representation of the side profile of a rhinoceros with four birds resting on its horns and back. In the background is a stylised representation of rough terrain. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA ZOO”; “SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS”; “Xoz .999 Ag” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin expressed as a whole number or common fraction in Arabic numerals); and “AWB” (being the initials of the designers, Adam William Ball).
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”, “2023”, 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 “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
2023 $5 1 oz Coloured Silver Proof Coin - Australia's Most Dangerous - Desert Scorpion
2023 $5 5 oz Silver Investment Coin - Australia's Most Dangerous - Desert Scorpion
The design on the 2023 $5 coins – Australia’s Most Dangerous – Desert Scorpion consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim surrounding a stylised representation of a desert scorpion on sand, representing the Australian desert. In the background, there is a stylised representation of the sun on the horizon with lines radiating out randomly to the border, some partially obscured by the desert scorpion. The design includes the following inscriptions: “DESERT SCORPION”; and “Xoz .999 SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); and a stylised representation of the initials of the designer, Aaron Baggio, “AB”. The desert scorpion is coloured orange on the coloured coin.
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”, “2023”, 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 “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.
Schedule 1 also makes a minor refinement to the description of a previously determined coin to correct a minor error.