Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00092 In force Legislative Instrument

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Commonwealth of Australia

Currency Act 1965

Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993

I, ROBERT McMULLAN, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, make the following Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.

Dated 16 February 1993.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer for and on behalf of the Treasurer

_____________________

Citation

1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993.

Commencement

2. This Determination commences on 3 March 1993.

Interpretation

3. In this Determination:

“$20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin” means a coin of the denomination of $20:

(a)          the specifications of which are set out in clause 5; and

(b)          the design of which is set out in clause 6;

 

“$20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin” means a coin of the denomination of $20:

(a)          the specifications of which are set out in clause 7; and

(b)          the design of which is set out in clause 8;

“$200 gold Olympic Centenary coin” means a coin of the denomination of $200;

(a)          the specifications of which are set out in clause 9; and

(b)          the design of which is set out in clause 10;

“Act” means the Currency Act 1965.

Specifications of coins

4. On and after 3 March 1993, the standard weight, the allowable variation from that standard weight, the design and the dimensions of the following coins are as set out in this determination:

(a)         a $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin;

(b)        a $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin;

(c)         a $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin.

Specifications of $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin

5. (1) The shape of a $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin is circular.

(2)        The edge of the coin is milled.

(3)        The composition of the coin is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(4)        The standard weight of the coin is 33.62 grams.

(5)        A variation of 0.37 grams from the standard weight is allowable.

(6)        The diameter of the coin is 40.13 millimetres,

(7)        The thickness of the coin is 3.30 millimetres.

Design of $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin

6. (1) The obverse of a $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin bears an effigy of the Queen and the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA 1993” and “20 DOLLARS”.

(2) The reverse of the coin bears;

(a)        a representation of 3 female athletes, each wearing a medal and standing on a dais in a stadium; and

(b)        a depiction of the Olympic rings; and

(c)        the inscriptions “1896” and “1996” under the Olympic rings.

(3) The edge of the coin bears the inscription “CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS”.

Specifications of $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin

7. (1) The shape of a $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin is circular.

(2)        The edge of the coin is milled.

(3)        The composition of the coin is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(4)        The standard weight of the coin is 33.62 grams.

(5)        A variation of 0.37 grams from the standard weight is allowable.

(6)        The diameter of the coin is 40.13 millimetres.

(7)        The thickness of the coin is 3.30 millimetres.

Design of $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin

8. (1) The obverse of a $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin bears an effigy of the Queen and the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA 1993” and “20 DOLLARS”.

(2) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)        a representation of 3 male swimmers at the edge of a swimming pool, and 1 male swimmer in the pool, joining hands; and

(b)       a depiction of the Olympic rings; and

(c)        the inscription “1896—1996” under the Olympic rings.

(3) The edge of the coin bears the inscription “CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS”.

Specifications of $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin

9. (1) The shape of a $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin is circular.

(2)        The edge of the coin is milled.

(3)        The composition of the coin is 11/12 gold and 1/12 other metal.

(4)        The standard weight of the coin is 16.954 grams.

(5)        A variation of 0.15 grams from the standard weight is allowable.

(6)        The diameter of the coin is 28.13 millimetres.

(7)        The thickness of the coin is 2.15 millimetres.

Design of $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin

10. (1) The obverse of a $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin bears an effigy of the Queen and the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA 1993” and “200 DOLLARS”.

(2) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a)         a representation of a female gymnast in a forward diving position, with 3 star-like sources of light above her and 3 approximate reflections of the lights in front of her; and

(b)        a depiction of the Olympic rings and a laurel wreath; and

(c)         the inscriptions “1896” and “1996” under the Olympic rings.

(3) The edge of the coin bears the inscription “CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS”.

 

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Overview

The Currency Act 1965 was enacted to establish and regulate the issuance of currency in Australia. The Act provides the framework for the creation and management of Australia's monetary system, including the specification of legal tender. Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993, made under the authority of the Act by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, specifies the design and technical specifications for certain commemorative coins issued to celebrate the Olympic Centenary. This legislative instrument ensures that these special coins meet the required standards for weight, composition, and design, thereby maintaining the integrity and value of the Australian currency. The policy objective behind this Determination is to commemorate significant historical events, in this case, the Olympic Centenary, while adhering to the standards set forth in the Currency Act.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993, made under the Currency Act 1965, applies to three specific coins: the $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin, the $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin, and the $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin. These coins, issued to commemorate the Olympic Centenary, have specific specifications and designs detailed in the determination. The Act applies to these coins, setting out their physical characteristics and design elements, effective from 3 March 1993. This legislative instrument has a national reach within Australia and does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions beyond the specific parameters set for these coins. The application of the determination is extended through the subordinate instrument, detailing the coins' specifications and design, which are critical for their legal tender status and recognition in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 2 of 1993 under the Currency Act 1965 sets out the specifications and designs for three commemorative coins: a $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin, a $20 silver Olympic Centenary swimming coin, and a $200 gold Olympic Centenary coin. These coins were produced to mark the centenary of the modern Olympic Games. The coins' specifications include their weight, dimensions, composition, and design elements, which are detailed in clauses 5 to 10 of the Determination. For example, the $20 silver Olympic Centenary athletics coin is circular, weighs 33.62 grams with a permissible variation of 0.37 grams, and is made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. The coins' designs, as outlined in clauses 6, 8, and 10, feature various elements that commemorate the Olympic Games, including effigies of athletes and the Olympic rings. The Currency Determination imposes specific obligations on the mint and any party involved in the production and distribution of these coins. It mandates that the coins must adhere strictly to the specifications outlined in the Determination, including their weight, composition, dimensions, and design. This includes the requirement that the coins must bear the specified inscriptions and designs on both their obverse and reverse sides, as well as on their edges. These obligations are designed to ensure the uniformity and authenticity of the commemorative coins, protecting their value and significance. Breaches of the Currency Determination can lead to significant penalties. While the Determination itself does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, the Currency Act 1965, under which the Determination is made, provides for various offences related to counterfeiting and forgery of currency. Offences under the Currency Act can result in substantial criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. For instance, the Act prescribes penalties for making or possessing dies or plates for the purpose of counterfeiting currency, which could include fines of up to $126,000 and imprisonment for up to 15 years for individuals, and even higher penalties for bodies corporate. These provisions underscore the seriousness with which the law treats violations related to 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.