Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5)

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2009L02826 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5)

as amended

made under subsection 13A(1) of the

Currency Act 1965

Compilation start date:  26 July 2013

Includes amendments up to: Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 3)

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5) as in force on 26 July 2013. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 29 August 2013.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name of Determination

2 Commencement

3 Specifications of coins

4 Application of Determination

Schedule 1—Specifications of coins

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

1  Name of Determination

  This Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5).

2  Commencement

  This Determination commences on the day after it is registered.

3  Specifications of coins

  For subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, each item in Schedule 1 specifies, for a coin having the denomination and standard composition mentioned in the item:

 (a) the coin’s standard weight; and

 (b) the allowable variation from that standard weight; and

 (c) the coin’s dimensions; and

 (d) 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

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and allowable variation

9.00 g ± 0.28 g

Maximum diameter

25.12 mm

Maximum thickness

2.80 mm

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”; and

 (c) the inscription, in numerals, of a year.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

 (a) a portrait of Dorothy Wall; and

 (b) 4 representations of Blinky Bill, enclosed by lines, as the main character of the book Blinky Bill; and

 (c) the inscriptions:

  (i) “DOROTHY WALL”; and

 (ii) “ONE DOLLAR”; and

 (iii) “BLINKY BILL”.

 

 

Item 2

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and allowable variation

9.00 g ± 0.28 g

Maximum diameter

25.12 mm

Maximum thickness

2.80 mm

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) “1 DOLLAR”; and

 (c) “AUSTRALIA 2010”;

with dots before and after the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

 (a) in the centre of the coin   a circle enclosing:

 (i) a representation of a tiger; and

 (ii) a small designer’s mark resembling the letter “G”; and

 (b) to the left of the circlea representation of a flame; and

 (c) to the right of the circle   a character in traditional Chinese script meaning “tiger”; and

 (d) above the circle — the inscription “2010”; and

 (e) below the circle — the inscription “YEAR OF THE TIGER”; and

 (f) in 4 sectors outside the circle — identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame.

 

 

Item 3

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

At least 99.9% silver

Standard weight and allowable variation

11.66 g ± 0.24 g

Maximum diameter

25.12 mm

Maximum thickness

2.80 mm

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) “1 DOLLAR”; and

 (c) “AUSTRALIA 2010”;

with dots before and after the inscription “1 DOLLAR”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

 (a) in the centre of the coin   a circle enclosing:

 (i) a representation of a tiger; and

 (ii) a small designer’s mark resembling the letter “G”; and

 (b) to the left of the circlea representation of a flame; and

 (c) to the right of the circle   a character in traditional Chinese script meaning “tiger”; and

 (d) above the circle — the inscription “2010”; and

 (e) below the circle — the inscription “YEAR OF THE TIGER”; and

 (f) in 4 sectors outside the circle — identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame.

 

 

Item 4

$10 coin

Denomination

$10

Standard composition

At least 99.99% gold

Standard weight and allowable variation

3.133 g ± 0.090 g

Maximum diameter

17.65 mm

Maximum thickness

1.58 mm

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) “10 DOLLARS”; and

 (c) “AUSTRALIA 2010”;

with dots before and after the inscription “10 DOLLARS”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

 (a) in the centre of the coin   a circle enclosing:

 (i) a representation of a tiger; and

 (ii) a small designer’s mark resembling the letter “G”; and

 (b) to the left of the circle a representation of a flame; and

 (c) to the right of the circle   a character in traditional Chinese script meaning “tiger”; and

 (d) above the circle — the inscription “2010”; and

 (e) below the circle — the inscription “YEAR OF THE TIGER”; and

 (f) in 4 sectors outside the circle — identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame.

 

 

Item 5

$1 coin

Denomination

$1

Standard composition

Copper, aluminium and nickel

Standard weight and allowable variation

9.00 g ± 0.28 g

Maximum diameter

25.12 mm

Maximum thickness

2.80 mm

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 2009”.

Reverse design

A design consisting of:

 (a) in the centre of the coin:

 (i) a representation of an elderly female sitting on a chair; and

 (ii) a representation of an elderly male holding a walking stick and sitting on a chair; and

 (iii) depicted around the elderly female and the elderly male — representations of the outlines of 10 people of different shapes and sizes, with 1 of the figures wearing a hat and another holding an Australian flag; and

 (b) surrounding the centre — the inscriptions:

 (i) “CENTENARY OF COMMONWEALTH AGE PENSION”; and

 (ii) “1 DOLLAR”; and

 (iii) “SECURITY — SUPPORT — DIGNITY”.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

 

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

 

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key in this endnote sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

 

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

 

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

 

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

 

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law, but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

 

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

 

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

 

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8

Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

pres = present

am = amended

prev = previous

c = clause(s)

(prev) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expired or ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

hdg = heading(s)

rs = repealed and substituted

LI = Legislative Instrument

s = section(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

mod = modified/modification

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

No = Number(s)

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

o = order(s)

SR = Statutory Rules

Ord = Ordinance

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

orig = original

SubPt = Subpart(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

 

 /sub- subparagraph(s)

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Title

FRLI registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5)

16 July 2009 (see F2009L02826)

17 July 2009

 

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 3)

25 July 2013 (see F2013L01430)

26 July 2013

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Sch 1

 

Sch 1...................

am 2013 No. 3

 

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

Overview

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5), enacted under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to address the need for precise specifications regarding the minting of Australian coins. This Determination outlines the specifications for various coins, including their weight, dimensions, and designs, ensuring consistency and quality in the currency issued by the Royal Australian Mint. The policy objective behind this Determination is to maintain the integrity and recognisability of Australian currency by specifying the exact characteristics of each coin denomination. The Determination came into effect on 17 July 2009, following its registration, and has been subject to amendments to keep up with changing commemorative themes and coin designs.

Scope and Application

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5) specifies the technical specifications for certain coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. This determination applies under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, which pertains to the legal framework governing Australia's currency. The Determination sets out the standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions, and design specifications for specific coins, including $1 and $10 coins. It does not affect any other determination of coin specifications, ensuring that the provided specifications are exclusive to the coins listed in Schedule 1. The Determination applies nationally across Australia and is effective from the day after its registration. The legislation allows for amendments through subordinate instruments, as evidenced by the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 3), which updated the specifications in the original determination.

Key Provisions

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5) sets out the specifications for various Australian coins, including their weight, composition, dimensions, and design, as provided in Schedule 1 of the Determination (section 3). For instance, a $1 coin made of copper, aluminium, and nickel must weigh 9.00 grams with an allowable variation of ± 0.28 grams, have a maximum diameter of 25.12 mm, and a maximum thickness of 2.80 mm (Schedule 1, Item 1). The coin must also have a circular shape with an edge design of 14 segments, 7 milled and 7 plain. The obverse design must include an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the initials "IRB", surrounded by specific inscriptions, while the reverse design must incorporate a designated theme, such as the "Centenary of Commonwealth Age Pension" (Schedule 1, Item 5). This Determination imposes obligations on the Royal Australian Mint to manufacture coins that strictly adhere to the specifications outlined in Schedule 1 (section 3). The Royal Australian Mint is responsible for ensuring that the coins meet the required weight, composition, dimensions, and design as specified in the Determination. Furthermore, the specifications in Schedule 1 do not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin (section 4). The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2009 (No. 5) does not explicitly mention any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, as this Determination is made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, it can be inferred that any breach of the Determination may result in penalties under the Currency Act. For example, under section 14 of the Currency Act, a person who contravenes a provision of the Act or a legislative instrument made under the Act is liable to a penalty of up to 50 penalty units (currently AUD 5,350) for a strict liability offence, or up to 500 penalty units (currently AUD 53,500) for an offence requiring proof of fault. In addition, under section 15 of the Currency Act, a person who is found guilty of an offence against the Act is liable to imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Commercial Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Specifications of coins
Application of Determination

Interactions

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.