EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Currency Act 1965
Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 10) Determination 2025
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 coin and 10 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 (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 10) Determination 2025
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 coin and 10 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 (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 10) Determination 2025
This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 10) Determination 2025 (the Determination).
Section 1 – Name
This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 10) Determination 2025.
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 circulating coin
2026 $2 Coloured Circulating Coin – Dawn Service
The design on the 2026 $2 coloured circulating coin – Dawn Service consists of a stylised coloured representation of a rising sun over a body of water. Partially obscured by the sun are straight lines above the horizon and wavy lines below the horizon. In the foreground, partially obscuring the body of water, is a stylised representation of a large crowd of people. On the right of the coin, there is a stylised representation of a soldier, in uniform, standing with a slightly bowed head. There is a stylised representation of poppy plants. The design includes the following inscriptions: “DAWN SERVICE”; “LEST WE FORGET”; and “BS” (being the initials of the designer Bronwyn Scott).
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”.
New non-circulating coins
2026 $2 ‘C’ Mintmark Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Dawn Service
2026 $2 ‘C’ Mintmark Coloured Fine Silver Proof Coin – Dawn Service
The design on the 2026 $2 ‘C’ mintmark coloured coins – Dawn Service consists of a stylised coloured representation of a rising sun over a body of water. Partially obscured by the sun are straight lines above the horizon and wavy lines below the horizon. In the foreground, partially obscuring the body of water, is a stylised representation of a large crowd of people. On the right of the coin, there is a stylised representation of a soldier, in uniform, standing with a slightly bowed head. There is a stylised representation of poppy plants. The design includes the following inscriptions: “DAWN SERVICE”; “LEST WE FORGET”; “BS” (being the initials of the designer Bronwyn Scott); and the letter “C” denoting Canberra.
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”, 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”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (Queensland)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (Queensland) consists of a representation of a koala sitting on a branch in the centre of the coin. There is a representation of a brolga, mid-flight, to the right of the koala. Enclosing the koala and brolga, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of four Dendrobium bigibbum flowers (commonly known as the Cooktown orchid). The design includes the following inscriptions: “QUEENSLAND” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (New South Wales)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (New South Wales) consists of representations of a laughing kookaburra and a gang-gang cockatoo perched on a branch in the centre of the coin. Enclosing the kookaburra and cockatoo, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of the flowers, stems and leaves of two Telopea speciosissima plants (commonly known as the New South Wales waratah). There are representations of ten Wahlenbergia gloriosa flowers (commonly known as royal bluebell). The design includes the following inscriptions: “NEW SOUTH WALES” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (South Australia)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (South Australia) consists of a representation of a hairy-nosed wombat on the ground in the centre of the coin. There is a representation of a wedge-tailed eagle, perched on a rock, slightly above the hairy-nosed wombat. Enclosing the wedge-tailed eagle and hairy-nosed wombat, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of the flowers and leaves of two Swainsona formosa plants (commonly known as Sturt’s desert pea). There is a representation of the flowers and leaves of two Gossypium sturtianum plants (commonly known as Sturt’s desert rose). The design includes the following inscriptions: “SOUTH AUSTRALIA” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (Tasmania)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (Tasmania) consists of a representation of a Tasmanian devil on the ground in the centre of the coin. Enclosing the Tasmanian devil, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of the flowers and leaves of two Eucalyptus globulus plants (commonly known as Tasmanian blue gum). The design includes the following inscriptions: “TASMANIA” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (Victoria)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (Victoria) consists of a representation of a helmeted honeyeater perched on a branch in the centre of the coin. There is a representation of a Leadbeater’s possum, lying on a branch, slightly above the helmeted honeyeater. Enclosing the helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of the flowers, stems and leaves of two Epacris impressa plants (commonly known as common heath). The design includes the following inscriptions: “VICTORIA” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 25c Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (Western Australia)
The design on the 2026 25c uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (Western Australia) consists of a representation of a numbat perched on a log in the centre of the coin. There is a representation of a black swan, floating on a small pond, to the left of the numbat. Enclosing the numbat and black swan, is a representation of a eucalyptus branch with leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. There is a representation of the flowers, stems and leaves of two Anigozanthos manglesii plants (commonly known as red and green kangaroo paw). The design includes the following inscriptions: “WESTERN AUSTRALIA” (upon the ribbon); “25”; and “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 $1 Uncirculated Coin – 125 Years of Federation (Commonwealth of Australia)
The design on the 2026 $1 uncirculated coin – 125 Years of Federation (Commonwealth of Australia) consists of, in the background, a stylised outline of a map of Australia. Superimposed over the outline, are representations of a kangaroo and an emu. Enclosing the kangaroo and emu, is a representation of an Acacia pycnantha (commonly known as golden wattle) branch with flowers and leaves. Intertwined in the branch, is a stylised representation of a ribbon. Below the kangaroo and emu, partially obscured by the ribbon, is a representation of a pattern of floral filigree. The design includes the following inscriptions: “125 YEARS OF FEDERATION” (upon the ribbon); 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 “AWB” (being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball).
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.
2026 $2 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Tooth Fairy
The design on the 2026 $2 coloured uncirculated coin – Tooth Fairy consists of a representation of a section of original artwork by artist Ellen Porteus. There are stylised representations of the following:
- partially obscured by the rim of the coin, two flying insects with droplets hanging from them; and
- a spider hanging from a string of silk and holding a coin, representing the letter “O” from the stylised inscription, in Arabic numerals of the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, or “DOLLARS” as the case requires.
In the centre of the coin, there is the following:
- the character Tooth Fairy Friend from Ellen Porteus’s original artwork; and
- surrounding and partially obscuring the character, a stylised representation of three flowers.
At the bottom of the coin, enclosing the words “TOOTH FAIRY” (stylised, in colour and in a crescent shape), are coloured stylised representations of a bug, a caterpillar, two coins, three teeth, three stars and four flowers.
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 Dan Thorne “DT”.