Currency Determination No. 4 of 1995

Overview

The Currency Determination No. 4 of 1995 was made under the Currency Act 1965 to specify the design and physical characteristics of two commemorative silver coins: a $1 coin and a $30 coin. This determination was enacted by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, and came into effect on 13 September 1995. The determination does not interfere with other coin specifications or designs, and it outlines precise details such as the weight, dimensions, and appearance of each coin, including the inclusion of silver content, the shape, edge type, and specific design elements on both the obverse and reverse sides of the coins. This legal instrument addresses the need for detailed specifications of new commemorative coins to ensure consistency and legal tender status within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 4 of 1995 applies to the specifications and design of two coins, specifically a $1 silver coin and a $30 silver coin, both of which have a standard composition that includes not less than 99.9% silver. This Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications or design of a coin, thus its application is limited to these two coins only. Both coins are circular in shape with milled edges, and they feature specific weights, diameters, thicknesses, and designs on both their obverse and reverse sides. The coins also include specific inscriptions and representations, such as effigies of the Queen, representations of native Australian fauna, and historical references. Geographically, this Determination is made under the Currency Act 1965, a Commonwealth legislation, and therefore applies nationally across Australia. The act and its subordinate instruments, such as this Determination, are designed to regulate the specifications and designs of Australian currency, ensuring uniformity and legal tender status. No exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are stated within this Determination, and its application is direct and specific to the coins described.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 4 of 1995 specifies the detailed specifications and design for two distinct coins, a $1 silver coin (clause 4) and a $30 silver coin (clause 5). The $1 coin must be circular with a milled edge, weigh 31.635 grams with an allowable variance of 0.5 grams, and have a diameter of 40.60 millimetres and a thickness of 4.00 millimetres. The obverse of the coin features an effigy of the Queen, the inscription "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA", and "1 DOLLAR", all within raised beads. The reverse showcases a kookaburra perched on a branch, a smaller representation of a giant panda, and inscriptions "THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. 999 SILVER" and "1995". Similarly, the $30 coin is circular, milled-edged, weighs 1002.502 grams with an allowable variance of 1.5 grams, and has a diameter of 101.00 millimetres and a thickness of 14.60 millimetres. The obverse features an effigy of the Queen, the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA", and "30 DOLLARS", and the reverse shows a kookaburra in flight, a representation of the Liberty Head, the inscription "1895", and inscriptions "THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 KILO 999 SILVER" and "1995", all within raised beads. The obligations under this Determination are primarily concerned with ensuring the precise specifications and design of the coins as outlined. Mints and manufacturers must adhere strictly to the provided dimensions, weight allowances, and design elements. For the $1 coin, this includes producing a coin with a composition of at least 99.9% silver, an appropriate effigy of the Queen, and specific inscriptions. For the $30 coin, the same stringent requirements apply, with additional design elements such as the Liberty Head representation. Non-compliance with these specifications could result in coins that are not legally tender or do not meet the standards set by the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences detailed within the Currency Determination No. 4 of 1995 itself. However, any breach of the specifications and design outlined in this Determination could potentially lead to legal consequences under the broader framework of the Currency Act 1965. This may include actions for counterfeiting or producing substandard currency, which could lead to criminal charges and penalties as prescribed under other relevant Australian laws. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the offence, as defined in the Currency Act and other applicable legislation.