Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2)

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2006L01863 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2)

as amended

made under subsection 13A (1) of the

Currency Act 1965

This compilation was prepared on 24 May 2007
taking into account amendments up to Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) Amendment Determination 2007 (No. 1)

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
AttorneyGeneral’s Department, Canberra

 

Contents

 1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

 2 Commencement [see Note 1]

 3 Specification of coins 

 4 Application of Determination 

Schedule 1 Specifications of coins 

Notes   

 

 

 

1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

  This Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2).

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

  This Determination commences on the day after it is registered.

3 Specification of coins

  For subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, each item in Schedule 1 specifies:

 (a) the denomination of a coin; and

 (b) the coin’s standard composition; and

 (c) the coin’s standard weight, and the allowable variation from that weight; and

 (d) the coin’s dimensions; and

 (e) the coin’s design.

4 Application of Determination

  The specifications in Schedule 1 do not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin.

Schedule 1 Specifications of coins

(section 3)

   

 

Item 1

$5 coin

Denomination

$5

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and allowable variation

36.31g ± 0.54g

Maximum diameter

38.94mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2006”.

Reverse

 

A design consisting of:

(a) a series of Australian maps showing the development of state boundaries over time; and

(b) an outline map of Victoria enclosing repetitions of the word “VICTORIA”; and

(c) the inscriptions:

 (i) “150 YEARS OF STATE GOVERNMENT”; and

 (ii) “5 DOLLARS”.

 

Item 2

$5 coin

Denomination

$5

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and allowable variation

36.31g ± 0.54g

Maximum diameter

38.94mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2006”.

Reverse

 

A design consisting of:

(a) a series of Australian maps showing the development of state boundaries over time; and

(b) an outline map of New South Wales enclosing repetitions of the words “NEW SOUTH WALES”; and

(c) the inscriptions:

 (i) “150 YEARS OF STATE GOVERNMENT”; and

 (ii) “5 DOLLARS”.

 

Item 3

$5 coin

Denomination

$5

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and allowable variation

36.31g ± 0.54g

Maximum diameter

38.94mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2006”.

Reverse

 

A design consisting of:

(a) a series of Australian maps showing the development of state boundaries over time; and

(b) an outline map of Tasmania enclosing repetitions of the word “TASMANIA”; and

(c) the inscriptions:

 (i) “150 YEARS OF STATE GOVERNMENT”; and

 (ii) “5 DOLLARS”.

 

Item 4

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and
allowable variation

31.635g ± 0.50g

Maximum diameter

40.15mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) an Australian bush scene with a mother kangaroo embracing a joey in the foreground; and

(b) the inscriptions:

 (i) “ONE DOLLAR”; and

 (ii) “ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER”.

 

Item 5

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver, partially plated with 99.99% gold

Standard weight and
allowable variation

31.635g ± 0.50g

Maximum diameter

40.15mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) an Australian bush scene with a goldplated image of a mother kangaroo embracing a joey in the foreground; and

(b) the inscriptions:

 (i) “ONE DOLLAR”; and

 (ii) “ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER”.

 

Item 6

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

27.22g ± 0.65g

Maximum diameter

38.90mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) an Australian bush scene with a mother kangaroo embracing a joey in the foreground; and

(b) the inscription “ONE DOLLAR”.

 

Item 7

$10 coin

Denomination

$10

Standard composition

At least 99.99% gold

Standard weight and
allowable variation

3.133g ± 0.09g

Maximum diameter

17.65mm

Maximum thickness

1.58mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) an Australian bush scene with a mother kangaroo embracing a joey in the foreground; and

(b) the inscription “TEN DOLLARS”.

 

Item 8

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a group of surf lifesavers carrying a person out of the water, against a stylised background; and

(b) the inscriptions:

 (i) “Year of the SURF LIFESAVER”; and

 (ii) “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 9

20c coin

Denomination

20c

Standard composition

Copper and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

11.30g ± 0.33g

Maximum diameter

28.65mm

Maximum thickness

2.52mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a female surf lifesaver handling a rescue rope, against a stylised background; and

(b) the inscriptions:

 (i) “Year of the SURF LIFESAVER”; and

 (ii) “20”.

 

Item 10

$5 coin

Denomination

$5

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and allowable variation

36.31g ± 0.54g

Maximum diameter

38.94mm

Maximum thickness

3.50mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse

 

A design consisting of:

(a) a group of surf lifesavers rowing a narrow boat through waves, against a stylised background; and

(b) the inscriptions:

 (i) “Year of the SURF LIFESAVER”; and

 (ii) “5 DOLLARS”.

 

Item 11

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2006”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a pair of clown fish in an ocean habitat including plants and stylised bubbles, pad printed in colour; and

(b) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 12

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2006”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a pair of bottlenose dolphins in an ocean habitat including the surface of the water and the sky, pad printed in colour; and

(b) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

Item 13

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a white pointer shark in an ocean habitat including a stylised representation of sunrays, pad printed in colour; and

(b) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 14

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a starfish in an ocean habitat including plants, partly pad printed in colour; and

(b) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 15

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a seahorse in an ocean habitat including plants, partly pad printed in colour; and

(b) a representation of an ocean plant; and

(c) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 16

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a Longfin Banner fish in an ocean habitat including coral, partly pad printed in colour; and

(b) the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

 

Item 17

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and
allowable variation

9.00g ± 0.280g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”; and

(c) “1 DOLLAR”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a representation of a pig; and

(b) representations of Chinese design elements; and

(c) Chinese script denoting the Year of the Pig; and

(d) the inscriptions:

 (i) “2007”; and

 (ii) “YEAR OF THE PIG”.

 

Item 18

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and
allowable variation

11.66g ± 0.240g

Maximum diameter

25.12mm

Maximum thickness

2.80mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

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

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”; and

(c) “1 DOLLAR”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a representation of a pig; and

(b) representations of Chinese design elements; and

(c) Chinese script denoting the Year of the Pig; and

(d) the inscriptions:

 (i) “2007”; and

 (ii) “YEAR OF THE PIG”.

 

Item 19

$10 coin

Denomination

$10

Standard composition

At least 99.99% gold

Standard weight and
allowable variation

3.133g ± 0.09g

Maximum diameter

17.65mm

Maximum thickness

1.58mm

Shape

Circular

Edge

Continuously milled

Obverse design

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the initials “IRB”, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”; and

(b) “AUSTRALIA 2007”; and

(c) “10 DOLLARS”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

(a) a representation of a pig; and

(b) representations of Chinese design elements; and

(c) Chinese script denoting the Year of the Pig; and

(d) the inscriptions:

 (i) “2007”; and

 (ii) “YEAR OF THE PIG”.

 

Notes to the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2)

Note 1

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) (in force under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Instruments

Title

Date of FRLI registration

Date of
commencement

Application, saving or
transitional provisions

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2)

22 June 2006 (see F2006L01863)

23 June 2006

 

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) Amendment Determination 2006 (No. 1)

14 Aug 2006 (see F2006L02667)

15 Aug 2006

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2007 (No. 1)

3 May 2007 (see F2007L01212)

4 May 2007

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) Amendment Determination 2007 (No. 1)

23 May 2007 (see F2007L01470)

24 May 2007

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Schedule 1

 

Schedule 1............

am. 2006 No. 1; 2007 No. 1 and 2007 No. 1 (second occurring)

 

Overview

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) was enacted to specify the details of various Australian coins, including their denomination, composition, weight, dimensions, and designs. This legislative instrument was made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, which grants the authority to establish such specifications for coins minted by the Royal Australian Mint. The determination provides clear guidelines on the physical attributes and designs of coins, ensuring consistency and legal tender status. This Determination was introduced to address the need for precise specifications to facilitate the minting of coins that are both functional and representative of Australian culture and heritage. The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) was prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, and came into effect on 23 June 2006. It has since been amended to reflect changes in coin specifications and designs, with the most recent amendments coming into effect on 24 May 2007.

Scope and Application

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2), as amended, operates under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 and pertains to the specifications of various coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. It applies to coins with specified denominations, compositions, weights, dimensions, and designs, as detailed in Schedule 1 of the Determination. This Determination applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and regulates the production of coins by the Royal Australian Mint, thereby affecting entities involved in the minting process. The specifications laid out in Schedule 1 govern the physical attributes of the coins, including their material composition, weight, and design elements. Notably, this Determination does not affect any other determinations regarding coin specifications. The Determination came into force on the day after its registration, with subsequent amendments altering its provisions. The scope of this Determination is further extended and modified through subordinate instruments, which detail the coins' specifications and ensure compliance with the Currency Act 1965.

Key Provisions

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2006 (No. 2) outlines the specifications for various Australian coins, as mandated by the Currency Act 1965. Specifically, section 3 of the Determination details the specifications for different coins, including their denomination, standard composition, weight, dimensions, and design. For instance, the $5 coin must be made of at least 99.9% silver, with a standard weight of 36.31g ± 0.54g, a maximum diameter of 38.94mm, and a maximum thickness of 3.50mm. The coins' designs are also meticulously specified, such as the reverse design of the $5 coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of state government, featuring a series of Australian maps and the outline of a specific state. These specifications ensure uniformity and recognisability in Australian currency. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the Royal Australian Mint to adhere to the outlined specifications when minting coins. This includes ensuring that the coins meet the prescribed composition, weight, dimensions, and design criteria. Any deviation from these specifications could result in the coins not being accepted as legal tender. The Determination also mandates that these specifications do not affect any other determination of coin specifications, ensuring that the detailed standards set out in this Determination are not superseded by other regulations. Failure to comply with the specifications set out in this Determination can result in serious legal consequences. Although the Determination itself does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance, any deviation from the prescribed standards could lead to the coins being deemed unfit for circulation. This could potentially result in criminal charges for counterfeiting or producing substandard currency, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Currency Act 1965, under which this Determination is made, provides for severe penalties for offences related to the production of counterfeit currency, reflecting the serious nature of such breaches.

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Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Specification of coins
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