Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00118 In force Legislative Instrument

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Commonwealth of Australia

Currency Act 1965

Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996

I, CHARLES RODERICK KEMP, Assistant Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, make the following Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.

Dated 1996.

Assistant Treasurer

Citation

1. This Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996.

Commencement

2. This Determination commences on 1 January 1997.

Specifications of certain coins

3. (1) This Determination specifies, in relation to certain coins having the denominations and standard compositions specified in columns 1 and 2 of Part 1 of the Schedule, the standard weights, the allowable variations from those standard weights, the dimensions and the designs respectively set out in columns 3, 4 and 5 of that Part.

(2) A reference in the Schedule to the diameter of a coin is, in relation to a coin that is not circular, a reference to the distance between 2 parallel faces of the edge of the coin.

Application of Determination

4. This Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin.

 

 

SCHEDULE Clause 3

PART 1—SPECIFICATIONS OF COINS

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Denomination

Standard composition

Standard weight and allowable variation (g)

Dimensions—

Design—

 

 

 

(1)

Diameter

(mm)

(2)

Thickness

(mm)

(1)

Shape

(2)

Edge

(3)

Obverse

(4)

Reverse

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E3

O2

R24

R25

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.49 ± 0.23

25.12

2.80

S1

E3

O2

R26

31.635+0.50

40.60

4.00

S1

E1

O2

R27

R28

$5

Austenitic stainless steel, copper, aluminium and nickel

10.60 ± 0.50

27.88

2.60

S2

E4

O2

R29

$10

Not less man 99.9% silver

20.77 ± 0.50

34.10

2.90

S1

E4

O2

R30

R31

PART 2—EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

1. Shape:

S1 = circular.

S2 = regular 24-sided polygon.

2. Edge:

E1 = milled.

E3 = 14 segments, of which 7 are milled and 7 are plain.

E4 = plain.

[NOTE: E2 is referred to in Currency Determination No. 6 of 1996.]

SCHEDULE—continued

3. Obverse:

O2 = an effigy of the Queen, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) "ELIZABETH H"; and

(b) "AUSTRALIA"; and

(c) "1997".

[NOTE: O1 is referred to in Currency Determination No. 6 of 1996.]

4. Reverse:

R24 = an effigy of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith superimposed on a representation of an aeroplane bearing the inscriptions "USU" and "Southern Cross", which, in turn, is superimposed on a representation of a flight path, surrounded by:

(a) the monogram "WP"; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH"; and

(ii) "1897-1935"; and

(iii) "1 DOLLAR"; and

(iv) "C", "S", "M", "B" or "A".

R25 = an effigy of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, surrounded by:

(a) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH"; and

(ii) "1897"; and

(iii) "1935"; and

(iv) "1 DOLLAR"; and

(b) a representation of an aeroplane bearing the inscriptions "USU" and "Southern Cross".

R26 = an effigy of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith superimposed on a representation of an aeroplane bearing the inscriptions "USU" and "Southern Cross", which, in turn, is superimposed on a representation of a flight path, surrounded by:

(a) the monogram "WP"; and

(b) the inscriptions:

(i) "SIR CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH"; and

(ii) "1897-1935"; and

(iii) "1 DOLLAR".

R27 = a representation of a kangaroo drinking from, and reflected in, a waterhole, surrounded by:

(a) the inscriptions:

(i) "C"; and

(ii) "1 OUNCE FINE SILVER"; and

(iii) "ONE DOLLAR"; and

SCHEDULE—continued

(b) the monogram "HH".

R28 = a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the rim, enclosing:

(a) a representation of:

(i) Old Parliament House, Canberra; and

(ii) the reverse of a 1927 Australian Florin; and

(b) the monogram "HH"; and

(c) the inscriptions:

(i) "OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE 1927-1997"; and

(ii) "1 DOLLAR".

R29 = a representation of Sir Donald Bradman batting, and the monogram "G", enclosed in a circle surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) "SIR DONALD BRADMAN"; and

(b) "5 DOLLARS".

R30 = a representation of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the monograms "HH" and "G", enclosed in a circle surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) "SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE"; and

(b) "10 DOLLARS".

R31 = a representation of Sydney Opera House, and the monogram "HH", enclosed in a circle surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) "SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE"; and

(b) "10 DOLLARS".

[NOTE: R1-R23 are referred to in Currency Determination No. 6 of 1996.]

Overview

The Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996 was enacted under the authority of the Currency Act 1965 to address the need for precise specifications regarding the design and physical attributes of certain Australian coins. This legislative instrument was made by the Assistant Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, and it came into effect on 1 January 1997. The primary objective of this Determination is to clearly outline the standards for the weight, dimensions, and design of specific coins, including the allowable variations in weight and the detailed descriptions of the coin's shape, edge, and both obverse and reverse designs. This ensures uniformity and reliability in the production and circulation of Australian currency.

Scope and Application

The Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996 applies to the specifications of certain coins within the Commonwealth of Australia. The determination outlines the standard weights, allowable variations, dimensions, and designs for coins of specific denominations and compositions, as detailed in the Schedule. This legislation does not impact any other determinations regarding coin specifications. The application of this determination is national, governing the physical properties of coins that are legal tender across Australia. This determination is instrumental in maintaining the integrity and consistency of the nation's currency, ensuring that coins meet precise standards for weight, dimensions, and design. The determination is a subordinate instrument under the Currency Act 1965, which provides the legal framework for currency issuance and regulation in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996 (the Determination) is made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) and sets out the specifications for certain coins. The Determination specifies the standard weights, allowable variations, dimensions, and designs for certain coins with particular denominations and standard compositions, as detailed in Part 1 of the Schedule. For example, it states that a one dollar coin must be circular, have a diameter of 25.12 mm, a thickness of 2.80 mm, and certain specific designs for both its obverse and reverse sides. The Determination also clarifies that these specifications apply regardless of whether the coin is circular or not and does not alter any other specifications of coins already set by previous determinations. Under the Currency Act 1965, entities involved in the production or distribution of coins must ensure that their products meet the specifications outlined in the Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996. This means that manufacturers, mints, and other entities must adhere to the precise standards for weight, dimensions, and design, as well as the allowable variations. Failure to comply with these specifications could result in the coins not being accepted as legal tender or being considered substandard. The Currency Act 1965 does not explicitly state specific penalties for breaching the Currency Determination No. 7 of 1996. However, non-compliance with the Act's requirements could potentially lead to civil or criminal consequences, depending on the severity of the breach and the intent behind it. For instance, knowingly distributing coins that do not meet the specified standards could be seen as fraudulent activity, which could lead to criminal charges. The potential penalties for such offences can include fines and imprisonment, as stipulated in other relevant sections of the Currency Act or other applicable legislation.

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Specifications of certain coins
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