Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00111 In force Legislative Instrument

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Commonwealth of Australia

Currency Act 1965

Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995

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

Dated 30th November 1995.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer

Citation

1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995.

[NOTE: This Determination commences on gazettal: see Acts Interpretation Act 1901, s. 46A and s. 48.]

Application of the Determination

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

Specifications and design of a $1 coin

3. (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.

95M310, 27/11/95, 14:04 95139038

Federal Register of Legislative Instruments F2008B00111

(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 grams 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:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of Sir Henry Parkes; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR HENRY PARKES 1815 - 1896"; and

(ii) "'FATHER' OF FEDERATION"; and

(iii) "1 DOLLAR".

Specifications and design of $1 coins

4. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 2 coins of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

(2) The shape of each coin is circular.

(3) The edge of the first coin is milled.

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

(5) The standard weight of each coin is 11.49 grams.

(6) A variation of 0.23 grams from the standard weight is allowed.

(7) The diameter of each coin is 25.12 millimetres.

(8) The thickness of each coin is 2.80 millimetres.

(9) The obverse of each coin bears:

(a) an effigy of the Queen; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(10) The reverse of each coin bears:

(a) a representation of Sir Henry Parkes; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR HENRY PARKES 1815 - 1896"; and

(ii) "'FATHER' OF FEDERATION"; and

(iii) "1 DOLLAR".

Specifications and design of $1 silver coins

5. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 2 coins each of the denomination of $1 and the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2) The shape of each coin is circular.

(3) The edge of the first coin is milled.

(4) The edge of the second coin consists of 12 segments, of which 6 are coarse milled and 6 are plain.

(5) The standard weight of each coin is 31.635 grams.

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

(7) The diameter of each coin is 40.60 millimetres.

(8) The thickness of each coin is 4.00 millimetres.

(9) The obverse of each coin bears:

(a) an effigy of the Queen; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(10) The reverse of each coin bears:

(a) a representation of a female kangaroo and her joey; and

(b) the monogram "HH"; and

(c) the inscriptions:

(i) "C";and

(ii) "ONE DOLLAR"; and

(iii) "1 OUNCE FINE SILVER".

Specifications and design of a $5 coin

6. (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) an effigy of the Queen; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of Sir Donald Bradman batting and a wicket; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR DONALD BRADMAN"; and

(ii) "5 DOLLARS".

Specifications and design of a $5 coin

7. (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 has 24 facets.

(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:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(9) The reverse of the coin bears:

(a) a representation of the head and upper body of Sir Donald Bradman batting; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR DONALD BRADMAN"; and

(ii) "5 DOLLARS".

Specifications and designs of $10 coins

8. (1) This clause sets out the specifications and designs of 2 coins of the denomination of $10 and the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.

(2) The shape of each coin is circular.

(3) The edge of each coin is plain.

(4) The standard weight of each coin is 20.77 grams.

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

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

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

(8) The obverse of each coin bears:

(a) an effigy of the Queen; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "ELIZABETH II"; and

(ii) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(iii) "1996".

(9) The reverse of the first coin bears:

(a) a representation of Betty Cuthbert running; and

(b) a representation of the Olympic symbol; and

(c) the monogram "HH"; and

(d) the inscriptions:

(i) "AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST OLYMPICS 1956"; and

(ii) "BETTY CUTHBERT"; and

(iii) "10 DOLLARS".

(10) The reverse of the second coin bears:

(a) a representation of Shirley Strickland leaping over a hurdle; and

(b) a representation of the Olympic symbol; and

(c) the monogram "HH"; and

(d) the inscriptions:

(i) "AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST OLYMPICS 1956"; and

(ii) "SHIRLEY STRICKLAND"; and

(iii) "10 DOLLARS".

Overview

The Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995 is a legislative instrument made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965. This Determination was introduced to outline the specifications and design of various coins, including $1, $5, and $10 coins, and addresses the need for clear and consistent standards for Australian currency. The Currency Act 1965, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, governs the issuing and management of Australian currency. The policy objective of this Determination is to ensure that the coins meet specific standards for weight, diameter, thickness, and design, while also reflecting significant historical and cultural figures and events.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995 applies to the specifications and design of various coins issued under the Currency Act 1965. This legislation sets out the detailed physical characteristics and design elements for several coins, including $1 coins in different compositions, $5 coins, and $10 coins. The coins are specified in terms of their weight, diameter, thickness, material composition, and both obverse and reverse designs, which include effigies of the Queen, inscriptions, and representations of significant Australian figures or events. This Determination applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and pertains to the coins minted from the specified date, which is 1996 as indicated in the inscriptions. Notably, the Determination does not affect any other determinations of coin specifications or design, ensuring a clear and distinct set of standards for each coin type. This comprehensive approach allows for the precise regulation and production of Australian currency, maintaining uniformity and legal tender status across the nation.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995, made under the Currency Act 1965, outlines the specifications and design of various coins. For the $1 coin (section 3), it specifies that the coin should be made of copper, aluminium, and nickel, with a circular shape, a weight of 9.00 grams (allowing for a variation of 0.28 grams), a diameter of 25.12 millimetres, and a thickness of 2.80 millimetres. The coin’s edge consists of 14 segments, with 7 milled and 7 plain. The obverse side bears an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, along with inscriptions such as "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," and "1996," while the reverse side features a representation of Sir Henry Parkes with relevant inscriptions. For the $1 silver coins (section 4), these coins are composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, with similar specifications to the $1 coin but with a weight of 11.49 grams (allowing for a variation of 0.23 grams). The obligations imposed by the Determination include strict adherence to the specified compositions, weights, dimensions, and designs for each coin denomination. Minters and manufacturers must ensure that the coins meet these specifications to be considered legal tender. Failure to comply with the specifications could result in the coins not being recognised as valid currency. In terms of penalties and consequences, the Currency Act 1965 does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance with the Currency Determination No. 6 of 1995. However, general penalties under the Currency Act may include fines and imprisonment for offences such as counterfeiting or dealing in counterfeit currency. The maximum penalties for such offences could extend up to 20 years imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the offence. Non-compliance with the specified coin designs and compositions may also lead to civil liabilities for any resultant losses or damages incurred due to the circulation of non-compliant coins.

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