Commonwealth of Australia
Currency Act 1965
Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997
I, CHARLES RODERICK KEMP, Assistant Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, make the following Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.
Dated 9 April 1997.
C.R. KEMP
Assistant Treasurer
____________
Citation
1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997.
Commencement
2. This Determination commences on 15 April 1997.
Specifications of certain coins
3. This Determination specifies, in relation to certain coins having the denominations and standard compositions specified in columns 1 and 2 of Part 1 of the Schedule, the standard weights, the allowable variations from those standard weights, the dimensions and the designs respectively set out in columns 3, 4 and 5 of that Part.
Application of Determination
4. This Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin.
SCHEDULE Clause 3
PART 1—SPECIFICATIONS OF COINS
Column 1 Denom‑ | Column 2 Standard | Column 3 Standard weight | Column 4 Dimensions— | Column 5 Design— |
ination | composition | and allowable variation (g) | (1) Diameter (mm) | (2) Thickness (mm) | (1) Shape | (2) Edge | (3) Obverse | (4) Reverse |
$1 | Not less 99.9% silver | 11.66 0.24 | 25.12 | 2.80 | S1 | E3 | O2 | R25 |
$5 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 35.79 0.63 | 38.90 | 3.50 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R32 |
$5 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 35.79 0.63 | 38.90 | 3.50 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R33 |
$5 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 35.79 0.63 | 38.90 | 3.50 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R34 |
$5 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 35.79 0.63 | 38.90 | 3.50 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R35 |
$5 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 35.79 0.63 | 38.90 | 3.50 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R36 |
$10 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 20.00 0.50 | 34.10 | 2.90 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R37 |
$10 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 40.00 0.50 | 34.10 | 5.10 | S1 | E1 | O2 | R37 |
PART 2—EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
1. Shape:
S1 = circular.
2. Edge:
E1 = milled.
E3 = 14 segments, of which 7 are milled and 7 are plain.
[NOTE: E2 is explained in Currency Determination No. 6 of 1996.]
3. Obverse:
O2 = an effigy of the Queen, surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and
(b) “AUSTRALIA”; and
(c) “1997”.
[NOTE: O1 is explained in Currency Determination No. 6 of 1996.]
4. Reverse:
R25 = an effigy of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, surrounded by:
(a) the inscriptions:
(i) “SIR CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH”; and
(ii) “1897”; and
(iii) “1935”; and
(iv) “1 DOLLAR”; and
(b) a representation of an aeroplane bearing the inscriptions “USU” and “SOUTHERN CROSS”.
R32 = a representation of camels against a background of hills and a windmill, and the inscription “5 DOLLARS”.
R33 = a representation of a steam train at a station, and the inscription “5 DOLLARS”.
R34 = a representation of a bullock train, with driver, passing a building labelled “SCHOOL OF ARTS”, and the inscription “5 DOLLARS”.
R35 = a representation of a paddle steamer against a background of river gums, and the inscription “5 DOLLARS”.
R36 = a representation of a steam driven traction engine clearing land, and the inscription “5 DOLLARS”.
R37 = a representation of a red‑tailed black cockatoo perched on a branch, surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) “RED‑TAILED BLACK COCKATOO”; and
(b) “10 DOLLARS”.
Overview
The Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997 was enacted under the Currency Act 1965 to address the need for specific specifications of certain coins in circulation in Australia. This legislative instrument was made by Charles Roderick Kemp, the Assistant Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, and it provides detailed specifications regarding the weight, dimensions, and designs of particular coins. The Currency Act 1965 itself was introduced to regulate the currency in Australia, ensuring the coins meet certain standards for their denominations and compositions. The Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997 specifies the standard weights, allowable variations, dimensions, and designs of certain coins, thereby ensuring consistency and quality in the country's currency.
Scope and Application
The Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997 applies to certain coins specified in the Schedule of the Determination, particularly those with the denominations and standard compositions outlined. The Determination sets out the standard weights, allowable variations, dimensions, and designs of these coins, thus governing the physical attributes of these monetary instruments within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation does not affect any other determination of coin specifications, ensuring that only the coins specified in this Determination are subject to its provisions. The Determination applies across the Commonwealth, reflecting a national standard for coin specifications. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this Determination. The application of this legislation may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as authorised by the Currency Act 1965.
Key Provisions
The Currency Determination No. 1 of 1997 (Determination) specifies the detailed specifications for certain coins in Australia, including their denomination, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variations, dimensions, and designs. The Determination applies to coins with the denominations and standard compositions detailed in Part 1 of the Schedule (section 3). This includes the standard weight and allowable variations for each coin, as well as the dimensions such as diameter and thickness. Furthermore, the Determination outlines the specific designs for each coin, including the obverse and reverse inscriptions and images (section 3). The Determination is clear that it does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin (section 4).
Under this Determination, the government or authorised mint is required to produce coins that meet the specified standards, including the correct composition, weight, dimensions, and designs. These standards ensure consistency and quality in the currency, making it easier for the public to identify and use the coins. The entities responsible for producing these coins must adhere strictly to the specifications outlined in the Determination to ensure the coins are uniform and meet the legal standards for currency in Australia.
Breach of the specifications set out in this Determination may have legal implications. While the Determination itself does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, violations of the Currency Act 1965, under which this Determination is made, can result in substantial penalties. For instance, under the Currency Act, counterfeiting or forgery of currency can attract criminal penalties, including fines of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Additionally, producing coins that do not meet the specified standards could be considered an offence under the Act, leading to similar penalties. These legal consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the standards set out in the Determination.