Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2008B00130 In force Legislative Instrument

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Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998

I, PETER HOWARD COSTELLO, Treasurer, make this determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.

Dated 18 November 1998.

 

PETER COSTELLO

Treasurer
 

Currency Determination No. 7 of 19981

made under the

Currency Act 1965

 

 

Contents

 Page

 1 Name of determination 3

 2 Commencement 3

 3 Specification of coins 3

 4 Application of determination 3

Schedule 1  4

Part 1 Specifications of coins 4

Part 2 Explanation of symbols 5

 

 

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1 Name of determination

  This determination is Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998.

2 Commencement

  This determination commences on gazettal.

3 Specification of coins

  This determination specifies, for a coin having the denomination and standard composition specified in columns 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, the standard weight, the allowable variation from that weight, the dimensions and the design specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 of that Part.

4 Application of determination

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

Schedule 1   

 (section 3)

 

 Part 1 Specifications of coins

 

Column 1

Column 2

 

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

 

Item

 

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

101

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 0.280

25.12

2.80

S1

E3

O11

R119

102

$1

99.9% silver

11.66 0.240

25.12

2.80

S1

E3

O11

R120

103

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 0.280

25.12

2.80

S1

E3

O11

R121

104

$1

99.9% silver

31.635 0.500

40.60

4.00

S1

E1

O11

R123

105

$10

99.9% silver

20.77 0.500

34.10

2.90

S1

E4

O11

R124

106

$10

99.9% silver

20.77 0.500

34.10

2.90

S1

E4

O11

R125

107

$10

92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

20.00 0.500

34.10

2.90

S1

E1

O5

R126

108

$10

92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

40.00 0.500

34.10

5.10

S1

E1

O5

R126

 

Part 2 Explanation of symbols

 

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Item

Design Feature

Symbol

Explanation

201

Shape

S1

Circular.

202

Edge

E1

Continuous milled.

203

Edge

E3

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

204

Edge

E4

Plain.

205

Obverse

O5

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’, surrounded by the inscriptions:

 (a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and

 (b) ‘AUSTRALIA 1998’.

206

Obverse

O11

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’, surrounded by the inscriptions:

 (a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and

 (b) ‘AUSTRALIA 1999’.

207

Reverse

R119

The inscriptions:

 (a) ‘towards a society for all ages’; and

 (b) ‘International Year of Older Persons’;

immediately inside the rim, surrounding a circle, that in turn surrounds a representation of the United Nations International Year of Older Persons logo, and the inscriptions:

 (c) ‘Australia 1999’; and

 (d) ‘1 DOLLAR’.

208

Reverse

R120

A representation of an Australian ANZAC soldier, and:

 (a) the inscriptions:

 (i) ‘1 DOLLAR’; and

 (ii) ‘THE LAST ANZACS’; and

 (b) the monogram ‘WP’.

209

Reverse

R121

A representation of an Australian ANZAC soldier, and:

 (a) the inscriptions:

 (i) ‘1 DOLLAR’; and

 (ii) ‘THE LAST ANZACS’; and

 (b) the monogram ‘WP’; and

 (c)  the letter:

 (i) ‘C’; or

 (ii) ‘M’; or

 (iii) ‘A’; or

 (iv) ‘S’; or

 (v) ‘B’.

210

Reverse

R123

A representation of 2 kangaroos in the sitting position, and:

 (a) the inscription ‘C’; and

 (b) the monogram ‘WP’;

surrounded by the inscriptions:

 (c) ‘1 OUNCE FINE SILVER’; and

 (d) ‘ONE DOLLAR’.

211

Reverse

R124

A representation of a tunnelconstruction scene, and the monogram ‘G’, surrounded by the inscriptions:

 (a) ‘THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS SCHEME’; and

 (b) ‘10 DOLLARS’.

212

Reverse

R125

A representation of a mountain dam scene, and the monogram ‘G’, all enclosed in a circle, surrounded by the inscriptions:

 (a) ‘THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS SCHEME’; and

 (b) ‘10 DOLLARS’.

213

Reverse

R126

A representation of the northern hairynosed wombat, and:

 (a) the inscriptions:

 (i) ‘10 DOLLARS’;  and

 (ii) ‘NORTHERN HAIRYNOSED WOMBAT’; and

 (b) the monogram ‘G’.

 

Overview

Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998, made under the Currency Act 1965, was enacted to specify the physical characteristics and designs of certain coins, ensuring uniformity and adherence to legal standards. This determination was made by PETER HOWARD COSTELLO, the Treasurer, and commenced on gazettal. The primary objective of this legislation is to define the specifications for coins, including their weight, dimensions, composition, and design, to maintain the integrity and value of Australian currency. This legal framework ensures that all coins produced meet the stipulated standards, thereby facilitating their use as legal tender and maintaining public confidence in the currency system.

Scope and Application

Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998 applies to the specification of various coins minted in Australia, detailing the standard composition, weight, dimensions, and design for each denomination. This determination is applicable to all entities involved in the production and circulation of these coins within Australia, ensuring uniformity and legal compliance in the currency system. The legislation does not affect other determinations of coin specifications and comes into effect upon gazettal, covering coins with denominations ranging from $1 to $10. The detailed specifications provided in the Schedule ensure that each coin adheres to precise standards, facilitating their recognition and acceptance as legal tender. The Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998 extends its application across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, impacting various industries involved in the minting, distribution, and circulation of the specified coins. While the determination itself outlines the essential specifications for each coin, it does not alter the applicability of other currency-related determinations, maintaining a clear delineation within the legislative framework. The precision in the coin specifications aids in preventing counterfeit and ensuring the integrity of the currency system, thereby supporting economic stability and public trust in Australian currency.

Key Provisions

The Currency Determination No. 7 of 1998, made under the Currency Act 1965, specifies the standards for various coins issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. Section 3 of the determination outlines the standard weight, allowable variation from that weight, dimensions, and design of each specified coin. This includes details such as the denomination, standard composition, and specific design elements like the shape, edge, obverse, and reverse sides. For instance, the $1 coin is specified to be made from copper, aluminium, and nickel with a standard weight of 9.00 ± 0.28 grams and a diameter of 25.1 mm (Schedule 1, Part 1, Item 10). The determination imposes obligations on the entities responsible for minting and issuing these coins to adhere strictly to the specifications outlined in the Schedule. These entities must ensure that the coins produced meet the prescribed standards regarding weight, dimensions, composition, and design. Non-compliance with these specifications could lead to legal consequences, including potential criminal charges under the Currency Act 1965. Furthermore, Schedule 1, Part 2, provides an explanation of the symbols used in the design of the coins, detailing what each symbol represents. For example, the obverse side of certain coins features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with specific inscriptions (Schedule 1, Part 2, Item 205 and 206). Any deviation from these design specifications could also result in legal action, as the determination aims to maintain consistency and integrity in the national currency. In terms of penalties, the Currency Act 1965 stipulates various offences related to the counterfeiting or improper use of currency, including coins specified under this determination. A breach of these specifications could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 10 years or substantial fines. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the offence, but the overarching goal is to maintain the trust and integrity of the Australian currency system.

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Area of Law
Currency Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Specification of coins
Design of coins

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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.