Under subsections 13 (2) and 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer has made a determination regarding the specification of coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint
Subsections 13(2) and 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965 require that the determination provide details of coin characteristics including standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.
Subsections 13(6) and 13A (4) of the Currency Act 1965 provide that a determination made by the Treasurer is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of Section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
The determination commences on the day after it is registered.
The Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007 (1) includes the following coin:
Denomination | Brief Design | Standard Composition |
$1 $1 | 2007 $1 Uncirculated – IPY coin 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 map of Antarctica; and (b) the names ‘Mawson’, ‘Davis’ and ‘Casey’; and (c) the coordinates ‘0°’, ‘90°W’ and ‘90°E’; and (d) a ship in the foreground; and (e) the inscriptions: (i) ‘AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY’; and (ii) ‘1 DOLLAR’; and (iii) ‘INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007–2008’. 2007 $1 Silver Proof – Subscription coin – One Johanna Obverse design A design consisting of: (a) in the inner circle, an effigy of King John V of Portugal surrounded by the inscriptions: (i) ‘IOANNES.V.D.G. PORT.ET.ALG.REX’; and (ii) ‘.M.’; and (iii) ‘1732’; and (b) in the outer ring, an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the initials ‘IRB’, three leaves and the inscriptions: (i) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and (ii) ‘AUSTRALIA 2007’. Reverse design A design consisting of: (a) in the inner circle, a shield and crown, with five shields in the centre of the main shield representing a crucifix; and (b) in the outer ring, six leaves and the inscriptions: (i) ‘ONE JOHANNA’; and (ii) ‘ONE DOLLAR’. | Copper, aluminium and nickel Not less than 99.9% silver |
Consultation
- 2007- 2008 International Polar Year - $1 uncirculated coin
In identifying the designs and historical commemoration dates for the Polar Series, the Mint has conducted extensive consultation with the Royal Society of Victoria. The selected designs for the coins are an exact reproduction of all or part of the original artwork and as such, are subject to Australian copyright law.
The Mint liaised with all copyright holders and approval to use the artwork was obtained.
- 2007 Subscription Coin - One Johanna
In identifying the coin to replicate for the 2007 Subscription Coin - One Johanna and text for the 2007 Subscription Coin certificate, the Mint has consulted with a number of coin dealers to ensure historical accuracy. The selected design for the coin is an exact reproduction of an original Johanna coin and as such, are subject to Australian copyright law.
The Mint liaised with all copyright holders and approval to use the artwork was obtained.
Overview
The Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007, enacted under the Currency Act 1965, addresses the specifications for coins to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint. This legislation was introduced to fill the need for precise regulations governing the design and physical characteristics of coins to be issued. The determination was made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and is subject to disallowance under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. The determination took effect on the day after it was registered and includes detailed specifications for the coins' composition, weight, design, and dimensions. Notably, the coins specified in this determination are commemorative, including a $1 coin celebrating the 2007-2008 International Polar Year and a $1 silver proof coin commemorating the Johanna, a Portuguese coin from 1732. The Mint ensured compliance with Australian copyright laws by consulting with relevant copyright holders and obtaining necessary approvals for the use of artwork.
Scope and Application
The Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007 applies to the Royal Australian Mint and its processes for issuing coins as specified by the determination. This Act pertains to the creation and release of particular coins with defined characteristics, such as the composition, weight, design, and dimensions, which are stipulated under the Currency Act 1965. The determination covers specific coins, including a $1 coin commemorating the International Polar Year 2007–2008 and a $1 silver proof subscription coin replicating a historical Portuguese coin, the Johanna. This legislation operates within the Commonwealth of Australia, and the specifications provided are legally binding for the Royal Australian Mint in the production of these coins. The determination also mandates that the designs of these coins must adhere to Australian copyright law, with necessary approvals obtained from relevant copyright holders. This Act does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but its scope is limited to the coins detailed within the determination.
Key Provisions
The Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007 specifies the characteristics of coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint, in accordance with subsections 13(2) and 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965. These subsections mandate that the determination must detail the coin's composition, weight, allowable variance from standard weight, design, and dimensions. The coins specified in the determination include a 2007 $1 Uncirculated – IPY coin and a 2007 $1 Silver Proof – Subscription coin – One Johanna. For instance, the 2007 $1 Uncirculated – IPY coin features an obverse design with an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the initials 'IRB' surrounded by inscriptions, and a reverse design consisting of a map of Antarctica, names of key Antarctic figures, coordinates, a ship, and inscriptions related to the Australian Antarctic Territory and the International Polar Year 2007–2008. The 2007 $1 Silver Proof – Subscription coin – One Johanna has an obverse design featuring an effigy of King John V of Portugal and Queen Elizabeth II, and a reverse design with a shield, crown, and inscriptions. The Mint ensured that the designs were exact reproductions of original artwork, with all necessary copyright approvals obtained.
The obligations imposed by the Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007 on the parties or entities it governs are primarily focused on ensuring the accurate and lawful issuance of coins. The Royal Australian Mint must adhere to the specified coin characteristics, including composition, weight, and design, as outlined in the determination. For example, the 2007 $1 Uncirculated – IPY coin must have a standard composition of copper, aluminium, and nickel, while the 2007 $1 Silver Proof – Subscription coin – One Johanna must be not less than 99.9% silver. Additionally, the Mint must consult with relevant parties, such as the Royal Society of Victoria and coin dealers, to ensure historical accuracy and obtain necessary copyright approvals.
The Currency Determination (Royal Australian Mint) 2007 does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, any breach of the Currency Act 1965, under which this determination is made, could lead to legal repercussions. Subsections 13(6) and 13A(4) of the Currency Act 1965 state that a determination made by the Treasurer is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of Section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. This means that if the determination were to be found in breach of any legislative requirements, it could be disallowed by Parliament. The Act itself does not specify penalties for breaches of its provisions, but general legal consequences could include fines, imprisonment, or other penalties as determined by the courts under applicable law.