EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury

Currency Act 1965

Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2024

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 27 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 item 20 of the table in section 12 of the 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 (2024 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2024

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 27 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 (2024 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2024

Section 1 – Name of the Determination

This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Perth Mint No. 4) Determination 2024.

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 Brumby Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 Brumby coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured representation of a horse galloping across dried cracked earth. In the background, partially obscured by the horse, is a coloured stylised representation of lightning bolts and a cloudy sky. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN BRUMBY”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; the inscription “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 designer Jennifer McKenna); “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 coin together with the following 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 13.5g Base Metal Christmas Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 base metal Christmas coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured representation of a Christmas stocking. Inside the Christmas stocking is a coloured stylised representation of a koala wearing a Christmas styled stocking hat. In the background, and partially obscured by the Christmas stocking and koala, is a stylised representation of native Australian flowers and foliage in the shape of a crescent. The design includes the following inscriptions: “Merry Christmas”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “IJ” (being the initials of designer Ing Ing Jong); 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 following 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”.

$2 2024 2oz Silver Christmas Antiqued Coloured Coin with Insert

The design on the 2024 silver Christmas antiqued coloured coin with insert consists of the following stylised representations, inspired by the ballet The Nutcracker, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (an adaption of the short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816) by E.T.A. Hoffmann):

1. an owl with its wings outstretched on top of a grandfather clock, with a decorative interior archway in the background; and
2. ‘sugarplum fairies’ as depicted in The Nutcracker; and
3. tin soldiers with swords and a cannon; and
4. ‘the Nutcracker’ as depicted in The Nutcracker; and
5. a girl on a rug unwrapping a gift, surrounded by wrapped gifts, an open gift box, decorated Christmas trees, a rocking horse, a cat on a table, and a chair with a dog and a blanket draped on it; and
6. mice with swords; and
7. ‘the Mouse King’ as depicted in The Nutcracker; and
8. coloured stars and dots.

The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; the inscription “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 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, and a circular pattern of stylised stars and dots, together with the following 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 Dragon Coin

The design on the 2024 gold dragon coin consists of a circle immediately inside the rim, surrounding a representation of a stylised Chinese dragon holding a pearl. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; the inscription “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 designer Wade Robinson); 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 following 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 Dragon Rectangle Coin

$100 2024 1oz Gold Dragon Rectangle Coin

The 2024 dragon rectangle coins are rectangular in shape with rounded corners. The design on the 2024 dragon rectangle coins consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of a Chinese dragon and a flaming pearl and, in the background, partially obscured by the dragon, a stylised representation of a storm over the ocean with crashing waves, storm clouds, and lightning. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “WR” (being the initials of designer Wade Robinson); 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 coins together with the following 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 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 Dan Thorne “DT”. The effigy of His Majesty King Charles III is superimposed over a square of radial lines.

$1 2024 1oz Silver Koala with Coloured Panda Privy Coin

$15 2024 1/10oz Gold Koala Coin

$15 2024 1/10oz Platinum Koala Coin

The design on the 2024 koala coins consists of a partial circle enclosing a representation of a koala climbing a tree, and surrounding the koala are eucalyptus leaves. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOALA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “Xoz 9999 SILVER”, “Xoz 9995 PLATINUM” 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 common fraction in Arabic numerals); “IJ” (being the initials of designer Ing Ing Jong); and “P125”. The silver coin design also includes a microscopic “P” and a coloured representation of a panda holding and surrounded by bamboo enclosed in a circle.

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 2025 1oz Silver Kookaburra Coin

$10 2025 10oz Silver Kookaburra Coin

$30 2025 1kg Silver Kookaburra Coin

The design on the 2025 silver kookaburra coins is superimposed over stylised representations of sunrays and consisting of, in the foreground, two partial circles enclosing a representation of a kookaburra perched on a branch, and a representation of Stuart Devlin’s depiction of a kookaburra perched on a stump, surrounded by leaves, as it appeared in The Perth Mint 1990 Australian Kookaburra silver bullion coin, enclosed in a circle. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOOKABURRA”; “35TH ANNIVERSARY”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “Xoz 9999 SILVER” or “XKILO 9999 SILVER” as the case requires (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces or kilograms of the coin as the case requires, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); “SR” (being the initials of the designer Sean Rogers); “P”; 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”.

$100 2024 1oz Platinum Mythical Creatures – Dragon & Koi Reverse Proof Coin

The design on the 2024 platinum mythical creatures – dragon & koi reverse proof coin consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of a Chinese dragon and a koi fish encircling a flaming pearl, and in the background, a stylised representation of a bridge over a river, a grassy riverbank, and rocks. The design includes the following inscriptions: “WR” (being the initials of the designer Wade Robinson); “P125”; 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 coins 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 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). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

$1 2024 1oz Silver Mythical Four Guardians Coin

$1 2024 1oz Silver Mythical Four Guardians Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 silver mythical four guardians coins consists of, in the foreground, stylised representations of a phoenix, a tiger, a dragon, a tortoise, and a snake, and in the background, and partially obscured by the phoenix, tiger, dragon, tortoise, and snake, are stylised representations of clouds, rocks, and mountains. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “WR” (being the initials of the designer Wade Robinson); “P125”; and a microscopic “P”. On the coloured coin, the representations of the phoenix, tiger, dragon, tortoise, and snake, are 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”, 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 Quokka Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 silver quokka coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured representation of a quokka standing on its hindlegs on uneven ground; and in the background, a stylised representation of shrubs, and coloured grasses. The design includes the following inscriptions: “QUOKKA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); 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 coins 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”.

$25 2025 1/4oz Gold Southern Right Whale Coin

$2 2025 2oz Silver Southern Right Whale Piedfort Coin

The design on the 2025 southern right whale coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim, and partially obscuring the border, a representation of a southern right whale with its tail breaching the surface of water, and a stylised representation of the ocean surrounding the whale. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); “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 common fraction in Arabic numerals); and “P”. The silver coin has a textured finish, and 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 coin together with the following 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”. On the silver coin, the design is superimposed over a textured finish.

$1 2024 1oz Silver Super Pit Coin

$100 2024 1oz Gold Super Pit Coin

$500 2024 5oz Gold Super Pit Coin

The design on the 2024 Super Pit coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim that is partially obscured by a representation of the Super Pit open cut gold mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, 2 trucks driving, and in the background, a cloudy sky. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SUPER PIT AUSTRALIA”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; either “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); “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 coin together with the following 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”.

$8 2024 5oz Silver Swan High Relief Coin

The design on the 2024 silver swan high relief coin consists of a circular border in the foreground enclosing a representation of a swan flapping its wings, on the surface of stylised rippling water. In the background, and enclosed by the circular border, is a stylised representation of the night sky with a full moon and stars. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SILVER SWAN”; “XOZ 9999” (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; “AUSTRALIAN”; “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); 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 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”.

$100 2024 1oz Gold Welcome Nugget Coin

The design on the 2024 gold welcome nugget coin consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of Stuart Devlin’s original 1987 Welcome Stranger nugget illustration, with the gold nugget superimposed over radial lines. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”; 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 common fraction in Arabic numerals); “WELCOME 1858”; “SD” (being the initials of the illustrator of the gold nugget representations, Stuart Devlin); “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”.

$1 2024 1oz Silver Wombat Coin

$1 2024 1oz Silver Wombat Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 silver wombat coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim enclosing a representation of a wombat, and its joey, standing on rough ground at the edge of an embankment, with foliage in the foreground. In the background, there is a stylised representation of trees, clouds and birds in flight. On the coloured coin, the wombat, its joey, and the foliage are coloured. The design includes the following inscriptions: “WOMBAT”; 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); “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); “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”.

$2 2024 2oz Silver Wedge-Tailed Eagle Coloured Coin

The design on the 2024 silver wedge-tailed eagle coloured coin 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 coloured 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”.

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 a representation of an eagle landing on a tree branch enclosed in a circle and the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

$500 2024 5oz Gold Wedge-Tailed Eagle Coin

The design of the 2024 gold wedge-tailed eagle coin consists of a montage of 9 representations of wedge-tailed eagles (as depicted in previously determined coins), partially obscuring two lines. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE”; and 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); “JM” (being the initials of the designer John Mercanti); 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 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. Above the effigy and enclosed in a circle is a representation of an eagle landing on a tree branch. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.