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. 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 1 new circulating and 21 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 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. 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 1 new circulating and 21 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 (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 4) Determination 2024
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 4) 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. 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 and to make technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.
New circulating coins
2024 50c Circulating Coin – 50th Anniversary of NAIDOC committee
The design on the 2024 50c circulating coin – 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Committee consists of a pattern of dots and stylised representations of kangaroo and emu footprints in Australian Indigenous dot painting style forming a border immediately inside the rim. Within the border, at the bottom of the coin, a stylised representation of an Australian Indigenous meeting place and, in the centre of the coin, a representation of the number “50” covered in stylised representations of gum nuts and leaves. The design includes the Australian Aboriginal Flag (as proclaimed in the Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Australian Aboriginal Flag)) and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (as proclaimed in the Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Torres Strait Islander Flag)). The design includes the inscription “YEARS OF NAIDOC COMMITTEE”.
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”.
New non-circulating coins
2024 50c Coloured Frosted Uncirculated Coin – 50th Anniversary of NAIDOC committee
The design on the 2024 50c uncirculated coin – 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Committee consists of a coloured pattern of dots and stylised representations of kangaroo and emu footprints in Australian Indigenous dot painting style forming a border immediately inside the rim. Within the border, at the bottom of the coin, a coloured stylised representation of an Australian Indigenous meeting place and, in the centre of the coin, a representation of the number “50” covered in stylised representations of gum nuts and leaves. The design includes the Australian Aboriginal Flag (as proclaimed in the Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Australian Aboriginal Flag)) and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (as proclaimed in the Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Torres Strait Islander Flag)). The design includes the inscription “YEARS OF NAIDOC COMMITTEE”.
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”.
2024 $2 Gold Proof Coin – Daniel Thorne Effigy
2024 $2 Silver Proof Coin – Daniel Thorne Effigy
The design on the 2024 $2 proof coins – Daniel Thorne effigy consists of representations of a male Indigenous Australian elder, the constellation Crux (commonly known as the Southern Cross) and a grass tree (xanthorrhoea). The design includes the following inscriptions: “2”, and “DOLLARS”. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2024 $1 Gold Proof Coin – Jody Clark Effigy
2024 $1 Silver Proof Coin – Jody Clark Effigy
The design on the 2024 $1 proof coins – Jody Clark effigy consists of a stylised representation of 5 kangaroos. The design includes the inscription “1 DOLLAR”. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
An effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2024”, 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”.
2024 50c Gold Proof Coin – Ian Rank-Broadley Effigy
2024 50c Silver Proof Coin – Ian Rank-Broadley Effigy
The design on the 2024 50c proof coins – Ian Rank-Broadley effigy consists of a representation of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”, and “SD” being the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
An effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2024”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Ian Rank-Broadley “IRB”.
2024 20c Gold Proof Coin – Raphael Maklouf Effigy
2024 20c Silver Proof Coin – Raphael Maklouf Effigy
The design on the 2024 20c proof coins – Raphael Maklouf effigy consists of a representation of a platypus in water. The design includes the following inscriptions: “20”, and “SD” being the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
An effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2024”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Raphael Maklouf “RDM”.
2024 10c Gold Proof Coin – Arnold Machin Effigy
2024 10c Silver Proof Coin – Arnold Machin Effigy
The design on the 2024 10c proof coins – Arnold Machin effigy consists of a representation of a lyrebird. The design includes the following inscriptions: “10”, and “SD” being the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
An effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin, will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2024”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign).
2024 5c Gold Proof Coin – Mary Gillick Effigy
2024 5c Silver Proof Coin – Mary Gillick Effigy
The design on the 2024 5c proof coins – Mary Gillick effigy consists of a representation of an echidna. The design includes the following inscriptions: “5”, and “SD” being the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin. The gold proof coin is at least 99.99% gold. The silver proof coin is at least 99.9% silver.
An effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, “2024”, and “1952-2022” (being the dates of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Mary Gillick “MG”.
2025 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Celebrations
The design on the 2025 50c coloured uncirculated coin – celebrations consists of a stylised representation of a kangaroo, a stylised representation of an emu, a combination of coloured and non-coloured circles and tear drop shapes are incorporated into the representations of the kangaroo and emu, with 5 coloured tubular shapes protruding from the centre of the design, and a representation of the Commonwealth Star (also known as the Star of Federation). The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2024 $5 Silver Proof Coin – Toy Kangaroo
The design on the 2024 $5 coin – toy kangaroo consists of a representation of four plush toy kangaroos 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.
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2024 $1 Silver Proof Coin – Desert Life
2024 $1 Silver Uncirculated Coin – Desert Life
The design on the 2024 $1 silver desert life coins consists of a representation of a kangaroo drinking from a waterhole and the following inscriptions: Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin, followed by “DOLLARS”, “DOLLAR” or “CENTS” as the case requires, and “Xoz .999 Ag” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2024 $5 1oz Silver High Relief Proof Coin – Australian Dolphin Series – Hourglass Dolphin
2024 $100 1oz Gold Investment Coin – Australian Dolphin Series – Hourglass Dolphin
2024 $1 1oz Silver Investment Coin – Australian Dolphin Series – Hourglass Dolphin
The design on the 2024 Australian dolphin series – hourglass dolphin coins consists of
a circular border surrounding, and partially obscured by, a representation of two hourglass dolphins porpoising out of splashing water, and in the background, a stylised representation of a rising sun on the horizon. The design includes the inscription “HOURGLASS DOLPHIN”. The design on the silver coins includes the inscription “Xoz .999 FINE SILVER” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals). The design on the gold coin includes the inscription “Xoz .9999 FINE GOLD” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals).
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”.
2024 $100 1oz Gold Investment Coin – Australia Zoo Series – Giraffe
The design on the 2024 $100 1oz gold investment coin – Australia Zoo series – giraffe consists of in the foreground, a representation of a female giraffe with her calf standing on a stylised representation of rough terrain featuring rocks and tufts of grass, and in the background, a stylised representation of the sun and clouds. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA ZOO”, “GIRAFFE”, “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 “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.
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”.
2024 $1 1oz Silver Investment Coin – Australia Zoo Series – Giraffe
The design on the 2024 $1 1oz silver investment coin – Australia Zoo series – giraffe consists of in the foreground, a representation of the head and neck of a female giraffe and of her calf, looking at one another, and in the background, stylised representations of a tree, the sun, and mountains. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSTRALIA ZOO”, “GIRAFFE”, “Xoz .999 Ag” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coin expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals), and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.
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”.
Schedule 1 also makes a minor refinement to the description of a previously determined coin to ensure the Determination operates as intended.