Currency Determination No. 15 of 1993

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00101 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Commonwealth of Australia

Currency Act 1965

Currency Determination No. 15 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 17.12.1993.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer

Citation

1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 15 of 1993.

Commencement

2. (1) Clause 4 commences on 14 January 1994.

(2)     Clause 5 commences on 23 December 1993.

(3)     Clauses 6 to 11 (inclusive) commence on 17 February 1994.

[NOTE: The remainder of this Determination commences on Gazettal: see Acts Interpretation Act 1901, ss. 46A and 48.]

Application

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

Specifications and design of a 50 cent coin

4. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of 50 cents the standard composition of which includes copper and nickel.

(2)     The shape of the coin is dodecahedral.

(3)     The edge of the coin is plain.

 

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 15.55 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.40 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 31.65 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 “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an abstract representation of a family; and

(b)     the logo of the International Year of the Family; and

(c)     the inscriptions “50 CENTS”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1994”.

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

5. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes copper, aluminium and nickel.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)    The edge of the coin consists of 14 segments of which 7 are milled and 7 are plain.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 9.00 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.28 millimetres from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 25.12 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 “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of 4 stylised notes of the denomination of $1 and the reverse of a coin of the denomination of $1; and

(b)     the inscriptions “1984” and “1994”.

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

6. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(2) The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 11.49 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.23 millimetres from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 25.12 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 “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of 4 stylised notes of the denomination of $1 and the reverse of a coin of the denomination of $1; and

(b)     the inscriptions “1984” and “1994”.

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

7. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin consists of 14 segments of which 7 are plain and 7 are milted.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 11.49 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.23 millimetres from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 25.12 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 “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of 4 stylised notes of the denomination of $1 and the reverse of a coin of the denomination of $1; and

(b)     the inscriptions “1984” and “1994”.

Specifications and design of a $5 coin

8. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $5 the standard composition of which includes aluminium, copper and nickel.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 28.00 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.80 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 38.90 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 3.50 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     art effigy of the Queen; and

(b)    the inscriptions ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of Mary Lee, a leader of the women’s suffrage movement, against a background of words; and

(b)     the inscriptions “WOMEN’S ENFRANCHISEMENT S.A.”, “1894” “1994” and “5 DOLLARS”.

Specifications and design of a $5 eoin

9. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $5 the standard composition of which includes austenitic stainless steel, copper, aluminium and nickel.

(2)    The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)    The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)    The standard weight of the coin is 10.60 grams.

(5)    A variation of 0.50 grams from the standard weight is allowed,

(6)    The diameter of the coin is 28.12 millimetres.

(7)    The thickness of the coin is 2.60 millimetres.

(8)    The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)     a representation of Mary Lee, a leader of the women’s suffrage movement, against a background of words; and

(b)     the inscriptions “WOMEN’S ENFRANCHISEMENT S.A.”, “1894”, “1994” and “5 DOLLARS”.

Specifications and design of a $10 coin

10. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $10 the standard composition of which includes 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 40.00 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.50 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 34.10 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 5.10 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)      an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of the profile of the head and neck of a Wedge-Tailed Eagle; and

(b) the inscription “TEN DOLLARS”.

Specifications and design of a $10 coin

11. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $10 the standard composition of which includes 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(2)     The shape of the coin is circular.

(3)     The edge of the coin is milled.

(4)     The standard weight of the coin is 20.00 grams.

(5)     A variation of 0.50 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(6)     The diameter of the coin is 34.10 millimetres.

(7)     The thickness of the coin is 2.90 millimetres.

(8)     The obverse of the coin bears:

(a)     an effigy of the Queen; and

(b)     the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “1994”.

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)      a representation of the profile of the head and neck of a Wedge-Tailed Eagle; and

(b)     the inscription “TEN DOLLARS”.

Overview

The Currency Act 1965 was enacted to address the need for a legal framework governing the issuance of currency in Australia, ensuring its authenticity, integrity, and national significance. The Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to regulate the design, specifications, and minting of coins to maintain public confidence in currency as a medium of exchange. The Currency Determination No. 15 of 1993, made under the authority of the Act, specifies the design and physical properties of various coins, including their weight, diameter, composition, and obverse and reverse imagery, with a policy objective to reflect significant national themes such as the International Year of the Family and the centenary of women's suffrage in South Australia. This determination ensures that the coins not only serve as a medium of exchange but also commemorate important historical and cultural milestones in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 15 of 1993, made under the Currency Act 1965, applies to the specifications and designs of various Australian coins, including those of 50 cents, $1, $5, and $10 denominations. These coins are integral to Australia’s currency system and are used throughout the country in both public and private transactions. The Determination details the physical attributes, such as shape, weight, diameter, thickness, edge design, composition, and both obverse and reverse inscriptions or images for each coin denomination. This legislation ensures uniformity and legal tender status for these coins across the Commonwealth of Australia. Notably, the Determination specifies that it does not affect any other determination regarding the specifications or design of coins, thereby providing clarity on the scope of its application.

Key Provisions

Currency Determination No. 15 of 1993, made under the Currency Act 1965, provides detailed specifications and design for several Australian coins, including the 50 cent, $1, $5, and $10 coins. Clauses 4 to 11 outline the specific characteristics for each coin denomination. For example, the 50 cent coin is composed of copper and nickel, shaped as a dodecahedral with a plain edge, weighing 15.55 grams with a permissible variation of 0.40 grams (Clause 4). Similarly, the $1 coin can be made from either copper, aluminium, and nickel or 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal, with different edge designs and weights (Clauses 5, 6, 7). The $5 coin is made from either aluminium, copper, and nickel or austenitic stainless steel, copper, aluminium, and nickel, with varying weights and thicknesses (Clauses 8, 9). Lastly, the $10 coin is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal, with different weights and thicknesses (Clauses 10, 11). This legislation imposes specific obligations on the minting of these coins, ensuring consistency in their design and composition. The coins must adhere to the detailed specifications regarding shape, weight, composition, and design elements, including the mandatory inscriptions and images. For example, all coins must bear an effigy of the Queen and the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, and the year of minting. The reverse designs must also follow the prescribed images and inscriptions for each denomination. Breach of the specifications or design outlined in this Determination could lead to significant legal consequences. While the Determination does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, violations of the Currency Act 1965 can result in substantial fines or imprisonment under related sections of the Act. The penalties for counterfeiting or forging coins, for instance, can include fines of up to $126,000 or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. Furthermore, unauthorised minting or altering of coins can lead to similar severe penalties, as it constitutes a breach of the Act's provisions protecting the integrity of Australian currency.

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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.