Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2010 (No. 3)

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2010L01788 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, the Assistant Treasurer has made a determination regarding the specification of coins proposed to be issued by the RAM.

 

Subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965 requires that the determination provides details of the coins characteristics including standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.

 

This determination is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (Subsection 13(6) and 13A (4) of the Currency Act 1965, Section 57 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

 

 

Item 1

 

$1 Coin

2010 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated Coin – Inspirational Australians Series: Fred Hollows

 

A reverse design consisting of a representation of Fred Hollows holding an intraocular lens with a pair of tweezers. There is also a small designers mark of a circle enclosing the initials ‘VG’; and

the inscriptions ‘1 DOLLAR’; ‘INSPIRATIONAL AUSTRALIANS: HEALTH CARE’; and ‘FRED HOLLOWS 1929-1993’

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 2

$1 Coin

2010 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated H Privy Mark Coin – 100 Years of Australian Coinage  

 

A reverse design featuring effigies of the following monarchs, from left to right: Queen Elizabeth II; King George VI; King George V; and King Edward VII. Beneath the effigies and to the left, a small square encasing the letter “H”, partially obscured by a representation of a kangaroo. Beneath the effigies to the right is a small designer’s mark consisting of a circle enclosing the stylised initials “VG”. In the upper left quadrant of the rim are 4 seven-pointed stars, in the centre of the upper rim the inscription “ONE DOLLAR” and at the base the inscription “100 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN COINAGE”.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 3

$1 Coin

2010 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated A Privy Mark Coin – 100 Years of Australian Coinage  

 

A reverse design featuring effigies of the following monarchs, from left to right: Queen Elizabeth II; King George VI; King George V; and King Edward VII. Beneath the effigies and to the left, a small square encasing the letter “A”, partially obscured by a representation of a kangaroo. Beneath the effigies to the right is a small designer’s mark consisting of a circle enclosing the stylised initials “VG”. In the upper left quadrant of the rim are 4 seven-pointed stars, in the centre of the upper rim the inscription “ONE DOLLAR” and at the base the inscription “100 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN COINAGE”.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 4

$1 Coin

2010 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated P Privy Mark Coin – 100 Years of Australian Coinage  

 

A reverse design featuring effigies of the following monarchs, from left to right: Queen Elizabeth II; King George VI; King George V; and King Edward VII. Beneath the effigies and to the left, a small square encasing the letter “P”, partially obscured by a representation of a kangaroo. Beneath the effigies to the right is a small designer’s mark consisting of a circle enclosing the stylised initials “VG”. In the upper left quadrant of the rim are 4 seven-pointed stars, in the centre of the upper rim the inscription “ONE DOLLAR” and at the base the inscription “100 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN COINAGE”.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 5

$1 Coin

2010 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated H Privy Mark Coin – 100 Years of Australian Coinage

 

A reverse design featuring effigies of the following monarchs, from left to right: Queen Elizabeth II; King George VI; King George V; and King Edward VII. Beneath the effigies and to the left, a small square encasing the letter “D”, partially obscured by a representation of a kangaroo. Beneath the effigies to the right is a small designer’s mark consisting of a circle enclosing the stylised initials “VG”. In the upper left quadrant of the rim are 4 seven-pointed stars, in the centre of the upper rim the inscription “ONE DOLLAR” and at the base the inscription “100 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN COINAGE”.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 6

50c Coin

2010 Copper and Nickel 50c Uncirculating Coin – 150th Running of the Melbourne Cup

 

A design consisting of a representation of four horses and riders galloping past the Melbourne Cup finishing post as well as a representation of iron lacework surrounding the word ‘FLEMINGTON’. The inscriptions ‘1861’, ‘2010’, ‘150TH RUNNING OF THE MELBOURNE CUP’, and ‘50’ are also included.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 7

50c Coin

2010 Selectively Gold Plated Silver 50c Proof Coin – 150th Running of the Melbourne Cup

 

This design consists of an ornamental border, and a representation of a jockey riding a galloping horse. The inscriptions ‘FLEMINGTON’, ‘1861-2010’, ‘150TH RUNNING OF THE MELBOURNE CUP’, and ‘50’ also feature on the reverse design.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 8

50c Coin

2010 Selectively Gold Plated Silver 50c Proof Coin – 150th Running of the Melbourne Cup

 

A design consisting of an ornamental border, and a representation of the Melbourne Cup trophy between ornamental design elements. The following text is also included; ‘FLEMINGTON’, ‘1861’, ‘2010’, ‘150TH RUNNING OF THE MELBOURNE CUP’, and ‘50’.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2010.

Item 9

50c Coin

2011 Copper and Nickel 50c Uncirculated Coin – 60th Anniversary of National Service

 

This design consists of a triangle enclosed in a circle superimposed on two triangles all encased in a square, in a corner of the square the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal is depicted. The inscriptions ‘DEDICATED TO ALL AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SERVICEMEN AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED’, ‘60TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL SERVICE’, and ‘FIFTY CENTS’ are also featured on the reverse design.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2011.

Item 10

$1 Coin

2011 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculated Coin – Year of the Rabbit

 

A design consisting of a central circle containing a representation of a rabbit, and the designer’s mark consisting of the initials ‘VG’. Surrounding the central circle, there is a representation of a flame, the Pinyin pictograph pronounced ‘tù’ and meaning ‘rabbit’, and four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame. The inscriptions  ‘2011’ and ‘YEAR OF THE RABBIT’ are also included.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2011.

Item 11

$1 Coin

2011 Fine Silver $1 Proof Coin – Year of the Rabbit

 

A design consisting of a central circle containing a representation of a rabbit, and the designer’s mark consisting of the initials ‘VG’. Surrounding the central circle, there is a representation of a flame, the Pinyin pictograph pronounced ‘tù’ and meaning ‘rabbit’, and four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame. The inscriptions  ‘2011’ and ‘YEAR OF THE RABBIT’ are also included.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2011.

Item 12

$10 Coin

2011 Copper, Aluminium and Nickel $1 Uncirculating Coin and Silver $1 Proof Coin – Year of the Rabbit

 

A design consisting of a central circle containing a representation of a rabbit, and the designer’s mark consisting of the initials ‘VG’. Surrounding the central circle, there is a representation of a flame, the Pinyin pictograph pronounced ‘tù’ and meaning ‘rabbit’, and four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame. The inscriptions  ‘2011’ and ‘YEAR OF THE RABBIT’ are also included.

 

OBVERSE

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coin. The effigy, together with the text Elizabeth II Australia 2011.

 

 

Public consultation

No public consultation was undertaken in relation to the currency determination as they have limited public interest and the design of the coins is based on the commercial decisions of the Royal Australian Mint.

 

The determination commences on the day after it is registered.

Overview

The Currency Act 1965, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, governs the issuance of Australian currency, including coins and banknotes. The Act was introduced to regulate the currency system and ensure the integrity of the nation's monetary system. Pursuant to subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, the Assistant Treasurer has made a determination regarding the specifications of coins to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM). This determination specifies the characteristics of the coins, including their composition, weight, design, and dimensions. The determination is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. The policy objective of the determination is to ensure that the coins meet the necessary standards and specifications required for legal tender in Australia. The determination does not require public consultation as the designs of the coins are based on the commercial decisions of the RAM and have limited public interest.

Scope and Application

The Currency Act 1965, as amended by the F2010L01788 legislation, governs the specification and issuance of coins in Australia. This legislation applies to the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) when proposing to issue coins. The Assistant Treasurer makes determinations regarding the coins' specifications, including their composition, weight, design, and dimensions, in line with subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965. These determinations are subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, making them disallowable instruments. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Act is Commonwealth-wide, impacting the RAM, which operates under federal jurisdiction. No exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds are mentioned in the text, implying that all proposed coins must comply with the specifications outlined in the determinations. The application of this Act extends through subordinate instruments, which further detail the specific requirements for coin issuance.

Key Provisions

According to subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, the Assistant Treasurer has issued a determination detailing the specifications of coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) (subsection 13A (1)). This determination must include specifics such as the coins' standard composition, standard weight, allowable deviation from standard weight, design, and dimensions (subsection 13A (1)). This determination is a disallowable instrument, meaning it can be annulled by either House of Parliament under section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (subsection 13(6) and 13A (4) of the Currency Act 1965, section 57 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003). The determination imposes specific obligations on the RAM, including the requirement to adhere strictly to the provided specifications for each coin's design and physical attributes. This ensures consistency and compliance with the legal standards set forth by the Currency Act 1965. The RAM must ensure that each coin produced meets the prescribed standards in terms of material composition, weight, dimensions, and design as stipulated in the determination. Failure to comply with the specifications detailed in the determination can result in various legal consequences. The Currency Act 1965 does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but the production and distribution of coins that do not meet the specified standards could potentially be considered illegal tender. Such actions could lead to civil liabilities or criminal charges, depending on the extent and impact of the non-compliance. The precise penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and could include fines or other legal sanctions as determined by relevant authorities.

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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.