EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) 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 12 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 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
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 policies. 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 (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) 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 12 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 (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) Determination 2024
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) Determination 2024 (the Determination).
Section 1 – Name
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) 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.
New non-circulating coins
2025 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book
The design on the 2025 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Choo-Choo Train and the Hickory Dickory Watch cake recipes from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of, in the centre of the coin, a stylised representation of an analogue clock featuring a Roman numeral dial and two clock hands. On the face of the clock is a stylised representation of a mouse. Surrounding the clock is a border containing the following:
- larger pieces of stylised coloured confectionery (known as “jubes”); and
- smaller pieces of coloured confectionery (known as “hundreds and thousands”).
Surrounding the border is the following:
- two pieces of stylised confectionery (known as “jubes”) stacked on top of each other; and
- a stylised representation of a steam locomotive with a line of carriages filled with stylised confectionery.
The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY”; “CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY CAKE BOOK”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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”, the inscription, in 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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Choo-Choo Train
2025 $1 Proof Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Choo-Choo Train
The design on the 2025 $1 coins – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Choo-Choo Train cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a steam locomotive positioned on a railway track pulling carriages filled with stylised confectionery which is partially obscured by the rim of the coin. There is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding and partially obscured by the candle is a stylised representation of a streamer and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “CHOO-CHOO TRAIN”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Rubber Ducky
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Rubber Ducky cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a duck sitting and wearing a large bow tie. The iced cake consists of:
- stylised confectionery depicting the duck’s eyes and shirt buttons; and
- stylised popcorn depicting the duck’s feathers; and
- stylised potato chips depicting the duck’s beak.
There is also a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of a numeral “1”. Surrounding and partially obscured by the candle is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “RUBBER DUCKY”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Dolly Varden
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Dolly Varden cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of a toy doll, standing upright and wearing a ball gown made from marshmallows, depicting the character Dolly Varden from the book Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. Surrounding and partially obscured by the doll is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. Partially obscured by the ball gown and a streamer is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. The design includes the following inscriptions: “DOLLY VARDEN”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Swimming Pool
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Swimming Pool cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of an above ground circular swimming pool. The iced cake consists of:
- a stylised fence made from chocolate biscuit sticks surrounding the swimming pool; and
- a stylised ladder, made from confectionery, extending from the top of the fence to the ground; and
- a stylised beach umbrella extending out from the surface of the water; and
- three stylised beach balls, made from confectionery, floating on the surface of the water; and
- two children in float tubes on the surface of the water.
Surrounding the pool, and partially obscured by the umbrella, is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. Partially obscuring the fence is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. The design includes the following inscriptions: “SWIMMING POOL”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Humpty Dumpty
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Humpty Dumpty cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of:
- a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a brick wall with the nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty, wearing a suit, bow tie and top hat, sitting on top of it; and
- a stylised representation of three flowers, made from confectionery, each one extending from the base of the brick wall to the top of the brick wall; and
- a stylised representation of a path, made from confectionery, trailing from the base of the brick wall to the rim on the right of the coin.
In the background, and partially obscured by the brick wall, is a stylised representation of a streamer surrounded by confetti. In the foreground, and partially obscuring the brick wall, is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. The design includes the following inscriptions: “HUMPTY DUMPTY”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Candy Castle
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Candy Castle cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a castle with four towers. The iced cake consists of the following:
- four stylised flags, one extending from the top of each tower and made from confectionery; and
- a stylised door, at the front of the castle, and made from confectionery; and
- four stylised windows, two at the front and two on the left side of the castle, made from confectionery; and
- a pattern of dots, made from confectionery, along the edges of the castle and the towers.
There is also a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. In the background, and partially obscured by the candle, is a stylised representation of a streamer. In the foreground, and below the candle, is a stylised representation of confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “CANDY CASTLE”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Cuddly Koala
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Cuddly Koala cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a koala and topped with stylised confectionery and a biscuit depicting the koala’s nose, eyes, and ears. There is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding the cake, and partially obscured by the candle, is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti, and stylised confectionery depicting leaves. The design includes the following inscriptions: “CUDDLY KOALA”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Echidna
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Echidna cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of an echidna with stylised confectionery and biscuits depicting the echidna’s spines and eyes. Partially obscuring the echidna, is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding the echidna, and partially obscured by the candle, is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “ECHIDNA”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Robert Robot
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Robert Robot cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of, in the foreground a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a robotic body sitting topped with pipe cleaner antennae and confectionery depicting the robotic body’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and various controls and push buttons. There is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding and partially obscured by the cake and candle, is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “ROBERT ROBOT”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Tip Truck
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Tip Truck cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake in the shape of a tip truck with a tipping tray at a slight angle and consisting of the following:
- stylised biscuits depicting the truck’s wheels; and
- stylised confectionery depicting the truck’s headlights, doors and windows, mirrors, foghorn and front windscreen; and
- a row of stylised chocolate biscuits depicting a ledge between the truck’s cabin and tipping tray; and
- stylised confectionery depicting rocks in the truck’s tipping tray and spilled rocks on the ground to the side of the tray.
Partially obscured by the truck is a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding the tip truck and candle, and partially obscuring the candle, is a stylised representation of a streamer and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “TIP TRUCK”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe)
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.
2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book – Racing Track
The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is inspired by the Racing Track cake recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Cake Book (as edited by Pamela Clark and Ellen Sinclair). The design consists of a stylised representation of an iced cake depicting a winding racetrack in the shape of an infinity symbol and consisting of the following:
- a ramp extending from the racetrack to the rim of the coin; and
- on the racetrack, a representation of three toy racing cars; and
- a stylised representation of two checkered flags and a traffic light made from confectionery.
Partially obscuring the cake is a representation of a toy racing car and a stylised representation of a lit candle in the shape of the numeral “1”. Surrounding the cake and candle, and partially obscuring the cake, is a stylised representation of streamers and confetti. The design includes the following inscriptions: “RACING TRACK”; “DOLLAR”; and a stylised representation of “LA” (being the initials of the designer Lydia Ashe).
Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch 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 the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Daniel Thorne “DT”.