Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2018L01749 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance

Currency Act 1965

Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018

Subsection 13(2) and section 13A of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) provide that the Treasurer may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics including denomination, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 10 new numismatic coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint.

The Treasurer may authorise the making and issuing of coins specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965. A payment of money is a legal tender if it is made in coins that are made and issued under the Currency Act 1965.  Through the issue of a currency determination, the Treasurer can add, remove and alter the coin characteristics specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.

In accordance with section 19 of the Acts Interpretations Act 1901, any Minister in the Treasury portfolio may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics.

Details of the legislative instrument are set out in the Attachment.

The legislative instrument commenced the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

The legislative instrument is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003.

Consultation

The Perth Mint undertook consultation among its network of Australian and international wholesale distributors. Authorised Australian distributors of The Perth Mint products are consulted regularly during business meetings and participation at the Australian Numismatic Dealers’ Association Coin, Banknote and Stamp shows.  Likewise, international distributors were consulted during a schedule of individual meetings hosted during the World Money Fair held in Berlin and the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money.

Limited consultation was conducted with external parties due to the confidentiality of coin themes and artwork, due to the risk of competitors viewing the innovations and potentially releasing similar coins into the market prior to the release.

 

Members of the public have the opportunity to contact The Perth Mint to present any themes they would like to see commemorated on Australian legal tender. These concepts are then researched and presented to The Perth Mint’s sales and marketing department for consideration and feedback.

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 10 new numismatic coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint.

Human rights implications

This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.


ATTACHMENT

Details of the Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018

This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018 (the Determination). 

Section 1 – Name

This section specifies the name of the Determination is the Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018.

Section 2 – Commencement

This section prescribes that the Determination commences the day after the Determination is registered.

Section 3 – Authority

This section provides that the Determination is made under the Currency Act 1965.

Section 4 – Definitions

This section provides definitions for the purposes of the Determination.

Sections 5 and 6 – Coin characteristics

These sections provide that the coin characteristics set out in Schedule 1 are taken to be specified in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.  The Treasurer may authorise the making and issuing coins specified, or taken to be specified by currency determinations, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.  A payment of money is legal tender if it is made in coins that are made and issued under the Currency Act 1965.

Schedule 1 – Standard composition, standard weight, design and dimensions of coins of specified denominations

Schedule 1 sets out the details of new coin characteristics.  The newly determined coins characteristics are set out below.

2019 Australian Kookaburra – Coloured – Silver Bullion Coin

The design on the 2019 Australian Kookaburra (1oz) silver coloured bullion coin, consists of a circular border, in the background, a coloured stylised sunset, grass and a tree, in the foreground, partially obscuring the border is a representation of a coloured kookaburra perched on a branch partially submerged in a body of water.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA”, “2019 1oz 9999 SILVER” and the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth “AH”.

2019 Australian Kookaburra – Penny Privy – Silver Bullion Coin

The design on the 2019 Australian Kookaburra – Penny Privy (1oz) silver bullion coin, consists of a circular border, in the background, a stylised sunset, grass and a tree, in the foreground, partially obscuring the border is a representation of a kookaburra perched on a branch partially submerged in a body of water, and a square reverse of an Australian One Penny coin.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA”, “2019 1oz 9999 SILVER” and the initials of the designer Aleysha Howarth “AH”.

2019 Australian Sovereign – Gold Collector Coin

The design on the 2019 Australian Sovereign (7.99g) gold proof coin consists of a representation of a laurel wreath, St Edward’s Crown and an oval enclosing the number “200”.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “PERTH MINT”, “AUSTRALIA” and “SOVEREIGN”.

2018 Australian Double Sovereign – Gold Collector Coin

The design on the 2019 Australian Sovereign (15.98g) gold proof coin consists of a representation of a laurel wreath, St Edward’s Crown and an oval enclosing the number “200”.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “PERTH MINT”, “AUSTRALIA” and “DOUBLE SOVEREIGN”.

2019 The Jewelled Dragon – Gold Collector Coin

The design on the 2019 The Jewelled Dragon (10oz) gold proof coin, consists of stylised representations of a pearl, mist and waves in the background and in the foreground a stylised Chinese dragon with an emerald and diamonds inset.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “THE JEWELLED DRAGON”, the Chinese language character (龍) pronounced lóng under the Pinyin system and meaning dragon and the initials of the designer Ing Ing Jong “IJ”.

2019 Australian Humpback Whale – Platinum Bullion Coin

The design on the 2019 Australian Humpback Whale (1/3oz) platinum bullion coin, consists of a patterned circular border enclosing a representation of 2 humpback whales underwater.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “2019 HUMPBACK WHALE”, “AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY” and the initials of the designer Neil Hollis “NH”.

2019 Welcome Stranger Nugget– Gold Bullion Coin

The design on the 2019 Welcome Stranger (1oz) gold bullion coin, consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of the gold nugget Welcome Stranger superimposed over radial lines.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”, “WELCOME STRANGER 1869”, “2019 1oz 9999 GOLD” and the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin “SD”.

2019 Welcome Stranger Nugget – Silver Bullion Coin

The design on the 2019 Welcome Stranger (1oz) silver bullion coin, consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of the gold nugget Welcome Stranger superimposed over radial lines.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”, “WELCOME STRANGER 1869”, “2019 1oz 9999 SILVER” and the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin “SD”.

2019 Welcome Stranger Nugget – Gold Collector Coin

The design on the 2019 Welcome Stranger (1oz) gold proof coin, consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of the gold nugget Welcome Stranger.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”, “WELCOME STRANGER 1869”, “2019 1oz 9999 GOLD” and the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin “SD”.

2019 Welcome Stranger Nugget – Gold Collector Coin

The design on the 2019 Welcome Stranger (1/4oz) gold proof coin, consists of a circular border enclosing a representation of the gold nugget Welcome Stranger.  The coin includes the following inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN NUGGET”, “WELCOME STRANGER 1869”, “2019 1oz 9999 GOLD” and the initials of the designer Stuart Devlin “SD”.

Overview

The Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018 was enacted to address the need for updating the characteristics of Australian coins, specifically numismatic coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance, in accordance with section 19 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, and it provides the Treasurer with the authority to determine the details of Australian coin characteristics, including denomination, composition, weight, design, and dimensions. The Currency Act 1965 authorised the Treasurer to issue legislative instruments to add, remove, or alter coin characteristics specified in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965. The legislative instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation and is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003. The instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues, as detailed in the Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights. The Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018 specifies the characteristics of 10 new numismatic coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint, including details such as design, composition, weight, and dimensions. The Perth Mint undertook limited consultation with external parties due to the confidential nature of the coin themes and artwork. However, members of the public have the opportunity to suggest themes for future coin designs. This legislative instrument is an essential tool for ensuring the continued relevance and appeal of Australian coins, while maintaining the integrity of the nation's currency.

Scope and Application

The Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018, issued under the Currency Act 1965, specifies the characteristics of ten new numismatic coins proposed to be issued by The Perth Mint. This legislative instrument applies to the Treasurer, who has the authority to determine coin characteristics under the Act, and to The Perth Mint as the entity authorised to manufacture and issue these coins. The coins in question are legal tender in Australia if minted and issued under the Currency Act 1965. The geographical reach of this determination is national, as it pertains to coins that will circulate within Australia. The determination does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions but is subject to disallowance under the Legislation Act 2003. Any modifications to coin characteristics can be made through subordinate instruments issued by the Treasurer, further extending or restricting the application of the Act as necessary. The instrument commenced on the day following its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation and does not engage any applicable human rights or freedoms.

Key Provisions

The Currency (Perth Mint) Determination (No. 6) 2018, made under subsection 13(2) and section 13A of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act), sets out the characteristics of 10 new numismatic coins proposed for issuance by The Perth Mint. These coins, detailed in Schedule 1, include specifications such as their design, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, and dimensions. By this Determination, these coins are taken to be specified in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965. The Treasurer is authorised to make and issue these coins, and payments made in these coins are considered legal tender under the Act. The Determination imposes obligations on The Perth Mint to ensure that the coins meet the specified characteristics as outlined in the Determination. The Perth Mint must adhere to the design, composition, weight, and dimensional standards set forth in Schedule 1. Additionally, the Mint must ensure that the coins are produced in compliance with the legal requirements established under the Currency Act 1965. Any alterations or new specifications for coins issued under the Act must be communicated through a currency determination by the Treasurer. Breaches of the Currency Act 1965, including the unauthorised production or issuance of coins, can result in significant penalties. Under section 176 of the Act, an individual can be fined up to 500 penalty units or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, for offences related to the illegal production or distribution of coins. A corporation can be fined up to 2,500 penalty units for similar offences. These penalties underscore the importance of compliance with the legal standards set by the Determination and the Currency Act 1965. Additionally, any failure to adhere to the specified coin characteristics can render the coins ineligible as legal tender, impacting their use in transactions.

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Currency Law
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Legislative Instrument
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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.