Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00097 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Commonwealth of Australia

Currency Act 1965

Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993

I, GARY JOHNS, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, make the following Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.

Dated 18.10.1993.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer

Citation

1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993.

Commencement

2. This Determination commences on 27 October 1993.

Application of the Determination

3. This Determination does not affect any other determination of the design of a coin.

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

4. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 31.635 grams.

 

(5)     A variation of 0.500 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 40.60 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 4.00 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1 DOLLAR”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of 2 kookaburras perched on a tree branch; and

(b)     the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c)     a small eagle motif;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

5. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 31.635 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.500 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 40.60 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 4.00 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1 DOLLAR”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of 2 kookaburras perched on a tree branch; and

(b) the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c) a representation of the Sydney Opera House, surrounded by the words “THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 20th ANNIVERSARY”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $2 coin

6. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $2 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin consists of alternating segments as follows:

(a)     coarse milled segments approximately 10.25 millimetres in length; and

(b)    plain segments approximately 29 millimetres in length.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 62.770 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.500 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 50.3 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 4.5 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “2 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of 2 kookaburras perched on a tree branch; and

(b) the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 2 OZ. 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c) a small eagle motif;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $2 coin

7. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $2 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin consists of alternating segments as follows:

(a)     coarse milled segments approximately 10.25 millimetres in length; and

(b)     plain segments approximately 29 millimetres in length.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 62.770 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.500 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 50.3 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 4.5 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears;

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “2 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears;

(a)     a representation of 2 kookaburras perched on a tree branch; and

(b)     the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 2 OZ. 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c)     a representation of the reverse of the coin commonly referred to as the “Sydney Sovereign”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $10 coin

8. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $10 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin consists of alternating segments as follows:

(a)     coarse milled segments approximately 15.40 millimetres in length; and

(b)     plain segments approximately 43 millimetres in length.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 312.347 grams.

(5)     A variation of 1.0 gram from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 75.5 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 8.7 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)      an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “10 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)      a representation of 2 kookaburras perched on a tree branch; and

(b)     the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 10 OZ. 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c)      a small eagle motif;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $25 coin

9. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $25 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 7.807 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.030 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 20.10 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 2.00 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)      an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “25 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of a Whiptail Wallaby, with a young wallaby in its pouch, superimposed on a sunburst design; and

(b)     the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET 1/4 OZ. 9999 GOLD”, “WHIPTAIL WALLABY” and “1993”; and

(c) an inscription in Chinese characters meaning “fortune”; all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin,

Specifications and design of a $30 coin

10. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $30 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin consists of alternating segments as follows:

(a) coarse milled segments approximately 20.50 millimetres in length; and

(b) plain segments approximately 58 millimetres in length

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 1,002.502 grams.

(5)     A variation of 1.5 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 100 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 14.6 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “30 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of a kookaburra perched on a tree stump against a background of native Australian plants; and

(b)     the inscriptions ‘THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 KILO 999 SILVER” and “1993”; and

(c)     a small chrysanthemum motif surrounded by:

(i) the inscription “ROYAL WEDDING”; and

(ii) the Japanese words “hou shuku” in Kanji characters;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

Specifications and design of a $100 coin

11. (1) This clause sets out the design of a coin of the denomination of $100 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 31.162 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.055 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 32.10 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 2.80 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)      an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “100 DOLLARS”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)      a representation of a Whiptail Wallaby, with a young wallaby in its pouch, superimposed on a sunburst design; and

(b)     the inscriptions “THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET 1 OZ. 9999 GOLD”, “WHIPTAIL WALLABY” and “1993”; and

(c) an inscription in Chinese characters meaning “fortune”;

all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.

9302957

Overview

The Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993 is a legislative instrument made under the Currency Act 1965. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this determination was introduced to address the need for the minting of commemorative coins. The Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993 was made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, and it sets out the specifications and design of various commemorative coins to celebrate significant events and natural elements of Australia. The policy objective of this determination is to provide legal parameters for the minting of coins with distinct designs that commemorate Australian heritage and culture. The determination ensures that the coins have specific physical attributes and inscriptions, which maintain the integrity and recognisability of Australian currency while celebrating the nation's history and landmarks.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and pertains to the specifications and design of certain coins issued under the Currency Act 1965. This legislation establishes the physical attributes and design elements of specific coins, including their composition, shape, weight, diameter, thickness, and both obverse and reverse inscriptions and imagery. The determination applies to the design of $1, $2, $10, $25, $30, and $100 coins minted in 1993, which feature various Australian symbols and motifs. The Act does not affect other coin designs and is specific to the coins mentioned in the determination. The geographic application of this legislation is national, as it pertains to the currency issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. The determination does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments and sets out detailed specifications that must be adhered to in the minting of these coins.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993 under the Currency Act 1965, dated 18 October 1993, establishes specific design and compositional standards for various silver and gold coins issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. Each coin denomination from $1 to $100 has distinct specifications including shape, weight, diameter, thickness, edge design, and both obverse and reverse inscriptions and images (ss. 4-11). For instance, the $1 coin must be circular with a milled edge, weigh 31.635 grams with a permissible variation of 0.500 grams, and depict an effigy of the Queen on the obverse and a representation of two kookaburras on the reverse. Similarly, the $2 coin must also be circular but with an alternating milled and plain edge, weigh 62.770 grams with a permissible variation of 0.500 grams, and feature an effigy of the Queen on the obverse and two kookaburras on the reverse. These coins are composed of not less than 99.9% silver, while higher denomination coins like the $25 and $100 coins must be composed of not less than 99.99% gold. The Determination imposes clear obligations on the issuing authorities to adhere to the specified designs and compositional standards for each coin denomination. For example, the issuing authorities must ensure that each $10 coin is circular with an alternating milled and plain edge, weighs 312.347 grams with a permissible variation of 1.0 gram, and includes an effigy of the Queen on the obverse and two kookaburras on the reverse. Additionally, the inscriptions and motifs on both sides of the coins must be precisely as outlined in the Determination, ensuring uniformity and adherence to the prescribed designs. Any deviation from these specifications could result in non-compliance with the legislative requirements. Failure to comply with the specifications and design requirements set out in the Currency Determination No. 11 of 1993 could potentially result in legal consequences. Although the Determination itself does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, any breach of the design and compositional standards could be subject to broader legal actions under the Currency Act 1965. Such actions could include civil penalties for misrepresentation or criminal penalties for more serious breaches, depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. The exact penalties would depend on the specific legal framework governing such breaches at the time of the offence.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Currency Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Specifications and design of coins
Mint standards

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.