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. 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 14 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.
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. 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 14 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 (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2023
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2023 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) 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. 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 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 $2 Uncirculated Coin – Remembrance Day [2012]
2023 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Remembrance Day [2012]
The design on the 2023 $2 uncirculated coins - Remembrance Day [2012] consists of a central circle containing:
- the words “REMEMBRANCE DAY” repeated and presented in eleven rows; and
- the words “LEST WE FORGET” in inverse order, repeated and presented in eleven rows.
A design consisting of a representation of a poppy flower is superimposed on the text. There are two representations of a poppy flower. The design includes the following inscriptions: “TWO DOLLARS”; and “REMEMBRANCE”. The poppy flower superimposed on the text 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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Remembrance Day [2014]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Remembrance Day [2014] consists of a stylised representation of sun rays surrounding a series of green coloured stripes arranged in a repetitive circular pattern. There is a representation of a circle. There is also a central circle containing a representation of a dove with an olive branch in its beak. The design includes the following inscriptions: “REMEMBRANCE”; and “TWO DOLLARS”.
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Lest We Forget [2015]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Lest We Forget [2015] consists of a central circle containing the inscription “LEST WE FORGET”. Surrounding the central circle, there is the following:
- a series of red coloured stripes arranged in a repetitive circular pattern; and
- two concentric circles; and
- five stylised representations of crosses; and
- between the crosses, a representation of poppy flowers.
The design includes the following inscription: “TWO DOLLARS”.
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Remembrance Day [2015]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Remembrance Day [2015] consists of, in the centre, a pattern of orange-coloured stripes superimposed on three concentric circles. There are eight stylised representations of a bird in flight. In the background and partially obscured are the following inscriptions from the poem In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae:
- “In Flanders”; and
- “fields the poppi”; and
- “blow Between the cre”; and
- “row on row, That mark”; and
- “place, and in the sky The”; and
- “larks, still bravely singi”; and
- “fly Scarce”; and
- “heard amid”; and
- “the guns”; and
- “below. We”; and
- “the Dead.”; and
- “Short day”; and
- “ago We li”; and
- “felt dawn”; and
- “saw sunse”; and
- “glow, Love”; and
- “and were l”; and
- “and now we”; and
- “lie In Flanders fields. Tak”; and
- “up our quarrel with the”; and
- “foe. To you from failing”; and
- “hands we throw The th”; and
- “be yours to hold”; and
- “it high. If”.
The design includes the following inscription in the foreground: “TWO DOLLARS”.
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Lest We Forget [2017]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Lest We Forget [2017] consists of a central circle containing a stylised representation of a part of the ceiling at the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Remembrance. A pattern of yellow-, green-, blue- and indigo-coloured stripes superimposed on three concentric circles surround the central circle. There is a circle of raised beads. There are four representations of lunes containing varying representations of mosaic tiles. Positioned between those lunes are representations of mosaic tiles. The design includes the following inscriptions: “LEST WE FORGET”; “TWO DOLLARS”; and “TD” (being the initials of the designer Tony Dean).
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Remembrance Day [2017]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Remembrance Day [2017] consists of, in the centre, a representation of a rosemary flower enclosed by four concentric circles. A coloured representation of a rosemary wreath, including six rosemary flowers, is superimposed on the concentric circles. A representation of a rosemary wreath intertwined with a ribbon and the word “Remembrance” surround the concentric circles. There is a circular border. The design includes the following inscriptions: “TWO DOLLARS”; and “AS” (being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic).
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame [2018]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Lest We Forget – Eternal Flame [2018] consists of a central circle containing the colours white, yellow, orange and red arranged in a circular pattern. Partially obscured by the central circle is a stylised representation of six flames. A circle surrounds those flames. The circle is in turn surrounded by three wavy lines arranged in a repetitive circular pattern. Three shades of blue colour arranged in an irregular wavy pattern are superimposed on those wavy lines. There are three circles. The design includes the following inscriptions: “LEST WE FORGET”; “ETERNAL FLAME”; and “TWO DOLLARS”.
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 $2 Uncirculated Coin – Invictus Games Sydney 2018 [2018]
The design on the 2023 $2 uncirculated coin – Invictus Games Sydney 2018 [2018] consists of a representation of an athlete in a racing wheelchair. There is a horizontal line and a vertical line. The design includes the following inscriptions: “2 DOLLARS”; “INVICTUS GAMES”; “2018”; “SYDNEY”; and “AS” (being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic).
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Australia’s Firefighters [2020]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Australia’s Firefighters [2020] consists of, in the foreground, four central concentric circles with a coloured stylised depiction of flames superimposed over them. In the background, there are two firefighters in protective clothing standing back-to-back and holding hoses with water emanating from each hose. At the base of the figures is a stylised, curved framing motif. Behind the firefighters are stylised flames. The design includes the following inscriptions: “FIREFIGHTERS”; and “AS” (being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic).
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Indigenous Military Service [2021]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Indigenous Military Service [2021] consists of four concentric circles with a stylised black handprint superimposed over them. Around the handprint are three concentric circles of coloured dots based on the colours of the Australian Defence Force Ensign (as proclaimed under the Flags Act 1953). Around the coloured dots is a sculpted, stylised representation of a Rainbow Serpent coiled in a circle with representations of kangaroo and emu footprints, community symbols, travelling lines, spears, the Southern Cross, barbed wire, poppies, rosemary, a cross, a ship, an airplane wing, and a rifle appearing on the serpent. Around the serpent are eight crescent symbols representing Indigenous people, comprising of the following:
- Four males represented by spears or boomerangs; and
- Four females represented by coolamon (carrying vessels) and digging sticks.
The design includes the following inscription: “INDIGENOUS MILITARY SERVICE”.
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Australian Ambulance Services [2021]
The design on the 2023 coloured uncirculated coin – Australian Ambulance Service [2021] consists of a central circle containing a Maltese cross. The central circle is surrounded by a round border consisting of alternating concentric circular lines and circular patterns of dots, covered in a green print. There is a stylised representation of two paramedics tending to a patient on a wheeled stretcher. The design includes the following inscription: “AMBULANCE SERVICES”; and “AB” (being the initials of the designer Aaron Baggio) in a stylised form.
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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Australia’s Frontline Workers [2022]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Australia’s Frontline Workers [2022] consists of a central circle containing a pattern of circles connected by lines overlaid by four concentric coloured circles graduating from grey to white (moving from the centre of the coin outwards). Around the central circle is a stylised representation of twelve people, all wearing face masks and with their arms extended, and with each represented person described by one of the following:
- wearing a shirt, pants and stethoscope, and holding a medical bag; and
- wearing a shirt, pants and an apron, and holding a spray bottle and cloth; and
- wearing a hospital gown and stethoscope; and
- wearing a military camouflage uniform; and
- wearing a shirt, pants and an apron, and holding two shopping bags; and
- wearing emergency services safety gear; and
- wearing a dress and jacket, and holding a pen and book; and
- wearing a police uniform and cap; and
- wearing a shirt and pants, and holding an electronic device displaying a pattern of circles connected by lines; and
- wearing medical personal protective equipment; and
- wearing a shirt and pants, and holding a pen and book; and
- wearing a lab coat, and holding a test tube.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA’S FRONTLINE WORKERS”; “TWO DOLLARS”; 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 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Honey Bee [2022]
The design on the 2023 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Honey Bee [2022] consists of a central sphere with a radial colour gradient of an inner pale yellow, central orange and outer brown. There are interconnected hexagons over the top of the sphere. There are two Italian honeybees on either side of the sphere. Extending from the rim of the coin are two branches from a Eucalyptus tree, adorned with flowers and leaves. The design includes the following inscriptions: 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; “HONEY BEE”; and “AS” (being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic).
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”.