Statutory Rules
1977 No. 17
REGULATION UNDER THE CURRENCY ACT 1965.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Currency Act 1965.
Dated this eleventh day of February, 1977.
John R. Kerr
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Minister of State for Aboriginal Affairs for and on behalf of the Treasurer.
Amendments of the Currency Regulations†
Designs of coins.
Regulation 4 of the Currency Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-paragraph (vi) of paragraph (d) the words “ the next succeeding sub-paragraph ” and substituting the words and letters “ sub-paragraph (vii) or (viii) ”;
(b) by omitting from sub-paragraph (vi) of paragraph (d) the word “ and ” (last occurring); and
(c) by adding at the end of paragraph (d) the following word and sub-paragraph:—
“ ; and (viii) in the case of a coin of the denomination of Fifty cents that refers on its obverse side to the year 1977 as the year of the coin—the inscriptions ‘ SILVER JUBILEE ’ and ‘ 50 CENTS ’ and a representation of a wattle blossom surrounded by a representation of 25 overlapping crowns.”.
* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 16 February. 1977
† Statutory Rules 1966, No. 21 as amended by Statutory Rules l969, No. 137; 1970, No. 31; and 1975, No. 139.
Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of Australia
17071/76—Recommended retail price 10c 10/11.1.1977
Overview
The Currency Regulations 1977, made under the Currency Act 1965, were enacted by the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations were introduced to amend the existing Currency Regulations, specifically addressing the designs of coins to reflect significant national events and symbols. The regulations were designed to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, thus incorporating appropriate inscriptions and imagery on the Fifty cents coin to honour this milestone. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that the national currency continued to reflect and celebrate important events and national identity through its design.
Scope and Application
The Currency Regulations 1977, made under the Currency Act 1965, apply to the design and issuance of Australian currency, specifically coins. These regulations extend to all persons and entities involved in the minting, distribution, and circulation of coins within Australia. The regulations outline the specific inscriptions, representations, and denominations that must be present on the coins, thereby governing the physical attributes of the currency issued by the Commonwealth. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, nor do they define specific thresholds for their application. However, they are subject to amendment through subordinate instruments, which can further refine or expand their application as needed. These amendments ensure the regulations remain relevant and effective in managing the currency’s integrity and design.
Key Provisions
The Currency Regulations of 1977, made under the Currency Act 1965, introduce specific amendments to the designs of coins, particularly focusing on the Fifty Cent coin (Regulation 4). The amendments involve modifications to the inscriptions and images on the obverse side of the coin. For coins minted in 1977, the new design requires the inclusion of the inscriptions 'SILVER JUBILEE' and '50 CENTS', along with a representation of a wattle blossom encircled by 25 overlapping crowns. These changes reflect the Silver Jubilee year, commemorating a significant milestone.
These amendments impose obligations on minting authorities and entities involved in the production of currency. They must adhere to the specified design requirements for the Fifty Cent coin, ensuring that all minted coins meet the criteria outlined in Regulation 4. This includes the correct inscriptions and the accurate depiction of the wattle blossom and crowns on the obverse side of the coin. Compliance with these design specifications is essential to maintain the integrity and recognisability of Australian currency.
Failure to comply with the stipulated design requirements for the Fifty Cent coin could result in legal repercussions. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the provided text, breaches of currency regulations typically attract severe penalties under the Currency Act 1965. These may include fines and other legal actions to ensure adherence to the prescribed standards of currency production. The exact penalties would be governed by the broader provisions of the Currency Act and any applicable supplementary legislation.