Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4)

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2013L01617 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4)

made under subsection 13A(1) of the

Currency Act 1965

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date:    19 December 2015

Includes amendments up to: Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1)

Registered:    19 April 2016

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 19 December 2015 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

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

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name of Determination

3 Definitions

4 Standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design

Schedule 1—

Part 1—Specifications of coins

Part 2—Explanation of symbols

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

 

1  Name of Determination

  This Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4).

3  Definitions

  In this Determination:

  Act means the Currency Act 1965.

4  Standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design

 (1) For subsection 13A (1) of the Act, on and after the day on which this Determination commences, each item in Part 1 of Schedule 1 specifies, for a coin having the denomination and standard composition mentioned in the item (being a coin whose denomination is specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Act):

 (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.

 (2) Subsection (1) does not affect any other determination of the standard weight and allowable variation, dimensions or design of a coin, made under subsection 13A (1) of the Act.

Schedule 1  

(section 4)

Part 1—Specifications of coins

 

Item

Denomination

Standard composition

Standard weight and allowable variation (g)

Dimensions

Design

Maximum diameter (mm)

Maximum thickness (mm)

Shape

Edge

Obverse

Reverse

1

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 ± 0.40

31.65

2.80

S1

E1

O1

R1

2

50c

Not less than 99.9% silver

18.24 ± 0.50

31.65

3.20

S1

E1

O1

R1

3

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103 + 1.80

41.10

4.10

S2

E2

O2

R2

4

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.35

25.20

3.00

S2

E3

O1

R3

Part 2—Explanation of symbols
 

Item

Design Feature

Symbol

Explanation

1

Shape

S1

Dodecagonal

2

Shape

S2

Circular

3

Edge

E1

Plain

4

Edge

E2

Continuously milled

5

Edge

E3

Interrupted milling

6

Obverse

O1

A design consisting of an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:

  1.      ‘IRB’;
  2.     ‘ELIZABETH II’;
  3.      ‘AUSTRALIA’;
  4.     the inscription, in numerals, of a year

7

Obverse

O2

A design consisting of an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:

  1.      ‘IRB’;
  2.     ‘ELIZABETH II’;
  3.      ‘AUSTRALIA’;
  4.     the inscription, in numerals, of a year
  5.      ‘1 DOLLAR’;
  6.      2 representations of a dot

8

Reverse

R1

A design consisting of: 

  1.      a stylised representation of a tree; and
  2.     on the left and superimposed on a part of the tree, an oval enclosing the following:
  1.             a stylised representation of a crown;
  2.             ‘W’; and 
  1.      on the right and superimposed on a part of the tree, an oval enclosing the following:
  1.             a stylised representation of a crown;
  2.             ‘C’; and
  1.     in the lower sector and enclosed by tree branches, the following:
  1.             ‘HRH’;
  2.             ‘Prince George’;
  3.             ‘BORN 22.07.2013’; and
  1.      the following:
  1.             ‘50’;
  2.             ‘FIRSTBORN CHILD TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE’

9

Reverse

R2

A design consisting of: 

  1.      a holographic coloured representation of fireworks; and
  2.     a representation of a part of Sydney harbour; and
  3.      a representation of 10 water craft; and
  4.     a representation of Sydney Harbour Bridge, partially obscured by a coloured representation of an eye; and  
  5.      the following:
  1.             ‘1 oz .999 Ag’

10

Reverse

R3

A design consisting of:

  1.      a representation of 5 kangaroos, of which 3 are coloured; and
  2.     the inscription ‘1 DOLLAR’ in green colour

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key 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 (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any 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 (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

 

 

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

    /sub‑subparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

    effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

    effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)

    cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

    commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Number and year

FRLI registration or gazettal

Commencement
date

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4)

23 Aug  2013 (F2013L01617)

24 Aug 2013 (s 2)

 

Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1)

18 Dec 2015 (F2015L02078)

Sch 1 (item 10): 19 Dec 2015 (s 2)

—

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

Schedule 1

 

Part 2

 

Part 2...................

am 2015 No 1

 

 

Overview

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4) was made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 by the Governor-General to provide detailed specifications for the physical attributes and designs of Australian coins. This legislation was enacted to fill the gap in the Currency Act 1965 by specifying the standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions, and design of each coin denomination. The policy objective of this determination is to ensure uniformity and compliance with the legal standards for currency, thereby maintaining the integrity and functionality of the nation's monetary system. The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4) was registered on 23 August 2013 and commenced on 24 August 2013, with subsequent amendments made and registered on 18 December 2015, coming into effect on 19 December 2015.

Scope and Application

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4) applies to the specifications of coins minted by the Royal Australian Mint, under the authority of the Currency Act 1965. This includes the standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions, and design of coins with specific denominations and standard compositions as outlined in the Determination. The provisions cover coins with denominations such as 5 cents, 20 cents, $1, and $1 coins with different compositions like copper-nickel, silver, and copper-aluminium-nickel. The Determination provides detailed specifications for each coin, including the shape, edge, and both obverse and reverse designs. The application of this Determination is national, as it operates under the Commonwealth jurisdiction established by the Currency Act 1965. The Determination does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but does outline the allowable variations in weight and dimensions for each coin type. Additionally, the Determination may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which are not detailed in the text but are subject to the overarching provisions of the Currency Act 1965. The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1) amends the 2013 Determination by updating the specifications for certain coins, reflecting changes in design or composition. For instance, the amendment includes modifications to the reverse design of the $1 coin, providing new details about the design elements and inscriptions. These amendments demonstrate how the original Determination can be updated to reflect changes in coin design or to introduce new coin types. The application of the amendment is also national, aligning with the jurisdiction of the Currency Act 1965, and any further amendments or modifications would similarly need to be consistent with the overarching legislative framework.

Key Provisions

The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2013 (No. 4), as amended, specifies the standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions, and design for Australian coins. Under section 4, each item in Part 1 of Schedule 1 provides details about coins of various denominations, including their standard weight, allowable variation from that weight, dimensions, and design specifications. These specifications are crucial for the minting of coins that meet the legal standards set by the Currency Act 1965. The design elements, explained in Part 2 of Schedule 1, include shapes, edges, and the obverse and reverse designs, which are detailed to ensure uniformity and recognisability in the currency. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the Royal Australian Mint and any other authorised entity involved in the minting of Australian currency. These obligations include adhering to the specifications outlined in Schedule 1 for the production of coins, ensuring that each coin meets the prescribed standards for weight, dimensions, and design. Failure to comply with these specifications could result in the coins not being accepted as legal tender, thereby affecting their validity and usability within the economy. Breach of the requirements set out in the Determination could lead to legal consequences. While the Determination itself does not explicitly detail offences or penalties, any non-compliance with the specifications might indirectly lead to actions under the Currency Act 1965, which could result in fines or other legal penalties. Additionally, any coins that do not meet the specified standards could be deemed unfit for circulation, leading to financial implications for the minting entity and potential consumer issues.

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Currency Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
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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.