Explanatory Statement
Statutory Rules 1989. No 380
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.
On 18 June 1985, the Minister Assisting the Treasurer announced the issue of the first of a planned series of $10 commemorative sterling silver coins incorporating the Coat of Arms of each of the States, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth and a Bicentennial design in 1988. The series commenced in 1985 with the Victorian Coat of Arms on the reverse side. In 1986 the South Australian Coat of Arms was featured and in 1987 the New South Wales Coat of Arms. The Bicentennial design on the 1988 coin featured the First Fleet anchored in Sydney Cove and the landing party rowing to shore. Consistent with all Australia’s legal tender coinage, the effigy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II appeared on the obverse side of all the coins.
The Queensland Government has consented to the use of the Queensland Coat of Arms as the reverse side design on the 1989 $10 silver coin.
The amendment to regulation 4 of the Currency Regulations prescribes the details of the design on the reverse side of the 1989 $10 silver coin.