Explanatory Statement
Statutory Rules 1989, No 103
Issued by the Authority of the Treasurer
Currency Regulations (Amendment)
Paragraph 14(2)(b) of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) provides that a coin to be made and issued by the Treasurer shall be of the standard weight, design and dimensions as prescribed (by regulation) in relation to that coin.
The Royal Australian Mint’s 1989 $200 gold collector coin is the first in a 10 year series based on the design theme of Australian animals. The series is known as the ‘Pride of Australia’ and each year a new design will be released, depicting such animals as the frilled lizard, echidna, emu, platypus, etc. The design of the 1989 coin features the frilled lizard. The representation of the lizard is produced in mirror proof against a frosted background, the first time this technique has been used for proof coin production. It is expected that the use of this technique will create worldwide interest amongst coin collectors. Consistent with all Australia’s legal tender coinage, the effigy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse side of the coin.
The amendment to regulation 4 of the Currency Regulations prescribes the details of the design on the reverse side of the 1989 $200 gold coin.