Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2026 Perth Mint No. 2) Determination 2026

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

Currency Act 1965

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 19 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 (2026 Perth Mint No. 2) Determination 2026

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 19 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 (2026 Perth Mint No. 2) Determination 2026

Section 1 – Name

This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2026 Perth Mint No. 2) Determination 2026.

Section 2 – Commencement

This section prescribes that the Determination commences on the day after the Determination is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

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.

$25 2026 1/4oz Gold Blue Whale Coin
$2 2026 2oz Silver Blue Whale Piedfort Coin

The design on the 2026 blue whale coins consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim. Within and partially obscuring the border is a representation of a blue whale and a blue whale calf. The design includes the following inscriptions: “BLUE WHALE”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year;“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 a common fraction in Arabic numerals); “JM” (being the initials of designer Jennifer McKenna); and “P”. On the silver coin, the design is superimposed over a textured finish and it also includes the inscription of a microscopic “P”.

$2 2026 2oz Silver Christmas Antiqued Coloured Coin with Insert

The design on the $2 2026 2oz silver Christmas antiqued coloured coin with insert consists of a stylised representation of a gingerbread village, including:

five coloured gingerbread houses, decorated with icing and candy (one has a gingerbread cat on the roof); and
a coloured gingerbread person holding wrapped gifts; and
two coloured gingerbread people playing fetch with a gingerbread dog; and
two coloured gingerbread people playing on a candy sled; and
three coloured gingerbread people holding books and singing carols; and
two coloured gingerbread people with a marshmallow snowman; and
coloured lollipops, meringues and candy canes; and
a representation of icing filled streets with a fence, adorned with Christmas trees, gum drops, peppermints, meringues, and candy canes.

The design includes the following inscriptions: 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 Jennifer McKenna); and “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, and a circular pattern of stylised stars and dots, 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”.

$15 2027 1/10oz Platinum Goat Coin

The design on the $15 2027 1/10oz platinum goat coin consists of, in the foreground, a representation of a goat standing on snow-covered rocky ground. In the background, there is a representation of a pine tree on the edge of a snow-covered mountain cliff. The design includes the following inscriptions: the Chinese language character (羊), pronounced yáng under the Pinyin system, and meaning goat; “GOAT”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “WR” (being the initials of designer Wade Robinson); and “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”, 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 9995 Pt” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coins, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals). The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

50c 2027 1/2oz Silver Goat Fully Gold-Plated Coin

The design on the 50c 2027 1/2oz silver goat fully gold-plated coin consists of, in the foreground, a representation of:

a goat sitting on uneven ground under flowering branches of a plum blossom tree; and
partially obscured by the goat is another goat and the goat’s kid, with the other goat standing on a pile of rocks surrounded by tufts of grass, and the kid jumping from the pile of rocks with its front legs off the ground.

In the background, and partially obscured by the goats and kid, there is a stylised representation of rocky mountains. The design includes the following inscriptions: the Chinese language character (羊), pronounced yáng under the Pinyin system and meaning goat; “GOAT”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “NM” (being the initials of the designer Natasha Muhl); “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 coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, 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 9999 Ag” (where “X” is the nominal weight in ounces of the coins, 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 2026 1oz Silver Great Southern Land – Nocturnal Coin with Gem Insert

The design on the $1 2026 1oz silver great southern land – nocturnal coin with gem insert consists of, in the centre of the coin, a circular Australian gem inset representing a map of Australia. Surrounding that gem inset is a plain border. Surrounding that plain border is a representation of a nocturnal nightscape with a crescent moon, stars, leafy tree branches, a banksia, rocks, grass, and sandy ground, and representations of the following Australian animals:

a ghost bat; and
a tiger moth; and
a night jar owl; and
a Christmas beetle; and
a marbled gecko; and
a spotted quoll; and
a night parrot; and
a Leadbeater’s possum; and
a koala.

The design includes the following inscriptions: 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); and “P”.

$100 2026 1oz Gold Great Southern Land – Rainforest Coin with Gem Insert

The design on the $1 2026 1oz gold great southern land – rainforest coin with gem insert consists of, in the centre of the coin, a circular Australian gem inset representing a map of Australia. Surrounding that gem inset is a plain border. Surrounding that plain border is a representation of a landscape of flowers, tree branches, leaves, bushes, reeds, and water, and representations of the following Australian animals:

a bat; and
a possum; and
a snake; and
a butterfly; and
a crocodile; and
a frog; and
a cassowary; and
a spider.

The design includes the following inscriptions: 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); “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); and “P”.

50c 2027 1/2oz Silver Happy Birthday Coloured Coin

The design on the 50c 2027 1/2oz silver happy birthday coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a representation of wrapped gifts. In the background, partially obscured by the gifts, there is a coloured stylised representation of two kookaburras wearing party hats. There is a coloured representation of a Superb fairy-wren flying, with its wings partially obscuring a representation of a musical stave with musical notes. The design includes the following inscriptions “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”; 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); “IJ” (being the initials of the designer Ing Ing Jong); and “P”.

$1 2027 1oz Silver Kangaroo Coloured Coin
$2 2027 2oz Silver Kangaroo Reverse Gold-Plated Coin

The design on the 2027 silver kangaroo coins consists of a partial circular border enclosing a coloured representation of two kangaroos next to a stream and tufts of grass, one standing looking leftward, and the other crouching down and drinking from the stream. The design is not coloured on the gold-plated coin. Partially obscured by the kangaroos, there is a stylised representation of a landscape consisting of a grassy plain and mountains on the horizon. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KANGAROO”; 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); “WR” (being the initials of the designer Wade Robinson); and “P”. The design, apart from the two kangaroos, is gold-plated on the gold-plated coin.

$100 2026 1oz Gold Kangaroo Ultra High Relief Coin
$2 2026 2oz Silver Kangaroo Ultra High Relief Coin
$10 2026 10oz Silver Kangaroo Ultra High Relief Coin

The design on the 2026 kangaroo ultra high relief coins consists of, a stylised representation of a kangaroo, bending forward and supporting a joey in her pouch with her forearms, while licking the joey’s head. Beneath the kangaroo and joey, a stylised representation of cracked earth and shrubs. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “BZ” (being the initials of the designer Beth Zaiken); and “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”, 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 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”.

$1 2026 1oz Silver Koala with Liberty Bell Privy Coloured Coin

The design on the $1 2026 1oz silver koala with Liberty Bell privy coloured coin consists of a stylised representation of a koala perched in the fork of a tree. In the mouth of the koala there is a eucalyptus branch. The koala and eucalyptus branch are coloured. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KOALA”; 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 common fraction in Arabic numerals); “IJ” (being the initials of the designer Ing Ing Jong); “P”; a microscopic “P”; and a coloured representation of the Liberty Bell enclosed in a circle.

$2 2027 0.5g Gold Mini Roo Coin

The design on the $2 2027 0.5g gold mini roo coin consists of a partial circular border enclosing a representation of two kangaroos, one standing looking leftward, and the other crouching down. The design includes the following inscriptions: “KANGAROO”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “Xg 9999 GOLD” (where “X” is the nominal weight in grams of the coin, expressed as a whole number or a common fraction in Arabic numerals); “WR” (being the initials of the designer Wade Robinson); and “P”.

$100 2026 1oz Gold Swan Coloured Coin

The design on the $100 2026 1oz gold swan coloured coin consists of a circular border immediately inside the rim of the coin enclosing, and partially obscured by, a coloured stylised representation of a flying swan with its wings outstretched. In the background, there is a coloured stylised representation of a coastal landscape featuring clouds, a coastal bluff, the sky, and the ocean. The design includes the following inscriptions: “GOLD SWAN”; the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “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); “AUSTRALIAN”; “AH” (being the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth); “P10”; and a microscopic “P”.

$1 2026 1oz Silver Wonders of Australia Coloured Coin

The design on the $1 2026 1oz silver wonders of Australia coloured coin consists of, in the foreground, a coloured stylised representation of a frilled-neck lizard on a rock and surrounded by smaller rocks, Sturt’s desert pea (Swainsona formosa), and poached egg daisies (Polycalymma stuartii). There is a representation of two kangaroos drinking from a lake in which a crocodile is swimming, a representation of a dingo howling on a rock, and a representation of a wedge-tailed eagle in flight. In the background, there is a stylised representation of a tree with four cockatoos in flight, shrubs and three emus walking in front of rocky mountains. There is also a coloured stylised representation of the sun rising behind the rocky mountains and clouds. The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); “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 coin 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 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”. Immediately inside the rim of the coin is an ornamental border comprising stylised representations of saltbush, poached egg daisies (Polycalymma stuartii), termite mounds, coral, anemones, epiphyte and an ant plant.

$1 2026 1oz Silver Wonders of Australia – The Outback Coin
$100 2026 1oz Gold Wonders of Australia – The Outback Coin (Proof)

The design on the 2026 1oz wonders of Australia – the outback coins consists of, in the foreground, a representation of a saltwater crocodile crawling into a waterhole, surrounded by rocks and reeds in the water. In the background, there are representations of the following:

two emus standing in the waterhole, one leaning down to drink; and
a python curled up on a small rock; and
a dingo standing on a large rock; and
three kangaroos jumping across uneven ground; and
a wedge-tailed eagle swooping; and
a landscape of rocky outcrops and trees.

The design includes the following inscriptions: the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year; “JM” (being the initials of the designer Jennifer McKenna); and “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 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”. Immediately inside the rim of the coin is an ornamental border comprising stylised representations of saltbush, poached egg daisies (Polycalymma stuartii), termite mounds, coral, anemones, epiphyte and an ant plant.

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