{"id":"F2005B02819","name":"Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995","slug":"currency-determination-no-5-of-1995","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":33031,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B02819-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nCurrency Determination No. 5 of 1995\n\nas amended\n\nmade under subsection 13A (1) of the\n\nCurrency Act 1965\n\nThis compilation was prepared on 28 March 2006 \ntaking into account amendments up to Currency Determination No. 6 of 1998\n\nPrepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, \nAttorney‑General’s Department, Canberra\n\nContents\n\n1 Citation \\[see Note 1\\]\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Application of the Determination\n\n4 Schedule to the Act\n\n5 Specifications and design of a $1 silver coin\n\n6 Specifications and design of $5 gold coins\n\n7 Specifications and design of $15 gold coins\n\n8 Specifications and design of $25 gold coins\n\n9 Specifications and design of a $40 palladium coin\n\n10 Specifications and design of $50 gold coins\n\n11 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n12 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n13 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n14 Specifications and design of $100 gold coins\n\n15 Additional design specification\n\nSchedule Table of animals in the Chinese astrological calendar and corresponding year in Roman calendar\n\nNotes\n\n1 Citation \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis Determination may be cited as Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis Determination commences on 25 October 1995.\n\n3 Application of the Determination\n\nThis Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications or design of a coin.\n\n4 Schedule to the Act\n\nThe Act has effect, on and after 25 October 1995, as if:\n\n(a) there were included in the Schedule to the Act a reference to a denomination of “Forty dollars”; and\n\n(b) there were specified in that Schedule, opposite to that denomination, as the standard composition of coins of that denomination, the expression “not less than 99.95% palladium”.\n\n5 Specifications and design of a $1 silver coin\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $1 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.9% silver.\n\n(2) The shape of the coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of the coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of the coin is 31.635 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.500 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 40.60 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of the coin is 4.00 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”, and “1 DOLLAR”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of a kookaburra in flight; and\n\n(b) a smaller representation of the mace from the coat of arms of the city of Basel; and\n\n(c) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) “THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. 999 SILVER”; and\n\n(ii) “1996”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n6 Specifications and design of $5 gold coins\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 12 coins each of the denomination of $5 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of each coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of each coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of each coin is 1.571 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.015 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of each coin is 14.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of each coin is 1.40 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “5 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an animal specified in the table set out in the Schedule; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese character for that animal; and\n\n(c) an inscription (written vertically) identifying the year specified in that table in relation to that animal;\n\n(d) the inscription “![](image.002.png) OZ 9999 GOLD”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n7 Specifications and design of $15 gold coins\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 12 coins each of the denomination of $15 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of each coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of each coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of each coin is 3.133 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.022 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of each coin is 16.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of each coin is 1.50 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “15 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an animal specified in the table set out in the Schedule; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese character for that animal; and\n\n(c) an inscription (written vertically) identifying the year specified in that table in relation to that animal;\n\n(d) the inscription “![](image.003.png) OZ 9999 GOLD”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n8 Specifications and design of $25 gold coins\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 12 coins each of the denomination of $25 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of each coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of each coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of each coin is 7.807 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.030 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of each coin is 20.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of each coin is 2.00 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “25 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an animal specified in the table set out in the Schedule; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese character for that animal; and\n\n(c) an inscription (written vertically) identifying the year specified in that table in relation to that animal;\n\n(d) the inscription “![](image.004.png) OZ 9999 GOLD”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n9 Specifications and design of a $40 palladium coin\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $40 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.95% palladium.\n\n(2) The shape of the coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of the coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of the coin is 31.185 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.066 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 36.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of the coin is 4.00 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA”; and “40 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an emu in a patch of grass with 5 eggs; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) “THE AUSTRALIAN EMU 1 OZ. 9995 PALLADIUM”; and\n\n(ii) “1995” or “1996”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n10 Specifications and design of $50 gold coins\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 12 coins each of the denomination of $50 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of each coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of each coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of each coin is 15.594 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.040 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of each coin is 25.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of each coin is 2.40 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “50 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an animal specified in the table set out in the Schedule; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese character for that animal; and\n\n(c) an inscription (written vertically) identifying the year specified in that table in relation to that animal;\n\n(d) the inscription “![](image.005.png) OZ 9999 GOLD”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n11 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $50 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of the coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of the coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of the coin is 15.594 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.040 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 25.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of the coin is 2.40 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “50 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of two kangaroos, superimposed on a sunburst design; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese symbol of prosperity (“fok”) enclosed in a border in the style of a Chinese seal; and\n\n(c) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) “THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET ![](image.005.png) OZ. 9999 GOLD”; and\n\n(ii) “1996”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n12 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $50 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of the coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of the coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of the coin is 15.594 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.040 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 25.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of the coin is 2.40 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “50 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of two kangaroos, superimposed on a sunburst design; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese symbol of success (“luk”) enclosed in a border in the style of a Chinese seal; and\n\n(c) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) “THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET ![](image.005.png) OZ. 9999 GOLD”; and\n\n(ii) “1996”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n13 Specifications and design of a $50 gold coin\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of a coin of the denomination of $50 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of the coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of the coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of the coin is 15.594 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.040 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 25.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of the coin is 2.40 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “50 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of two kangaroos, superimposed on a sunburst design; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese symbol of longevity (“shu”) enclosed in a border in the style of a Chinese seal; and\n\n(c) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) “THE AUSTRALIAN NUGGET ![](image.005.png) OZ. 9999 GOLD”; and\n\n(ii) “1996”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\n14 Specifications and design of $100 gold coins\n\n(1) This clause sets out the specifications and design of 12 coins each of the denomination of $100 the standard composition of which includes not less than 99.99% gold.\n\n(2) The shape of each coin is circular.\n\n(3) The edge of each coin is milled.\n\n(4) The standard weight of each coin is 31.162 grams.\n\n(5) A variation of 0.055 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of each coin is 32.10 millimetres.\n\n(7) The thickness of each coin is 2.80 millimetres.\n\n(8) The obverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) an effigy of the Queen; and\n\n(b) the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II”, “AUSTRALIA” and “100 DOLLARS”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n(9) The reverse of each coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of an animal specified in the table set out in the Schedule; and\n\n(b) a representation of the Chinese character for that animal; and\n\n(c) an inscription (written vertically) identifying the year specified in that table in relation to that animal;\n\n(d) the inscription “1 OZ 9999 GOLD”;\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of each coin.\n\n15 Additional design specification\n\n(1) This clause applies to clauses 6, 7, 8, 10 and 14.\n\n(2) For subclause (9) of each of the clauses, the reverse of each coin to which the clause applies bears the features mentioned in subclause (9), either:\n\n(a) for a coin dated 1999 — with or without the inscription ‘P100’; or\n\n(b) for a coin with a date other than 1999 — with or without the inscription ‘P’.\n\nSchedule Table of animals in the Chinese astrological calendar and corresponding year in Roman calendar\n\n(subclauses 6 (9), 7 (9), 8 (9), 9 (9), 14 (9))\n\n| Animal | Year |\n| ------- | ---- |\n| Mouse | 1996 |\n| Ox | 1997 |\n| Tiger | 1998 |\n| Rabbit | 1999 |\n| Dragon | 2000 |\n| Snake | 2001 |\n| Horse | 2002 |\n| Goat | 2003 |\n| Monkey | 2004 |\n| Rooster | 2005 |\n| Dog | 2006 |\n| Pig | 2007 |\n\n> Notes to the Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995 (in force under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Instruments\n\n| Title | Date of notificationin Gazette | Date ofcommencement | Application, saving ortransitional provisions |\n| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |\n| Currency Determination No. 5 of 1995 | 25 Oct 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. GN42) | 25 Oct 1995 | |\n| Currency Determination No. 6 of 1998 | 4 Nov 1998 (see Gazette 1998, No. GN44) | 16 Oct 1998 | — |\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Amendments\n\n```html\n

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

Provision affected

How affected

C. 15................

ad. 1998 No. 6

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Clause 4 modifies the Schedule to the Currency Act by adding a denomination “Forty dollars” with a standard composition specified as “not less than 99.95% palladium”. The Determination also institutes detailed specifications and designs for a set of coins across denominations $1–$100 (see cls 5–15 and the Schedule mapping animals to years), thereby expanding the list of standardised coin types under the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specifications for multiple denominations (weights, diameters, thicknesses, tolerances) across several clauses (cls 5–14) — high detail but mechanically repetitive.","Multiple metals and purities specified (silver 99.9%, gold 99.99%, palladium 99.95%) requiring material-specific manufacturing controls (see cls 5, 6–8, 9, 10–14).","Several near-duplicate $50 coin clauses with different reverse motifs (cls 10–13) increasing drafting density and potential for confusion when matching design to issuance.","A Schedule mapping 12 Chinese zodiac animals to calendar years used across several classes (Schedule; see subcls 6(9), 7(9), 8(9), 14(9)).","An amendment note adding optional inscription rules for certain dates (cl.15; amendment entry in Notes indicating 1998 No.6).","Legal basis citation to Currency Act (s 13A(1)) at the head of the instrument — ties specification to statutory authority."],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination sets exact physical and metal standards and the artwork for a series of commemorative coins (silver, gold and palladium), and adds a new $40 palladium denomination to the Schedule of the Currency Act. It fixes weights, diameters, thicknesses, edge type, tolerances and the obverse/reverse inscriptions and motifs.\n\nIt affects the Royal Australian Mint (which must produce coins to these standards) and purchasers, collectors and bullion traders by creating legally specified, market-identifiable coin issues."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: authorising specific commemorative and bullion coin issues for 1995-2007. The 1998 amendment (adding clause 15 about mint marks) was a minor technical adjustment rather than scope expansion. No subsequent broadening beyond numismatic specifications."},"complexity_factors":["Highly repetitive structure — clauses 6-8, 10, and 14 follow nearly identical templates with only denomination, weight, and size varying","Minimal cross-referencing — only internal references to the Schedule (Chinese zodiac table) and between clauses 6/7/8/10/14 and clause 15","Simple conditional logic — only in clause 15 regarding optional 'P' or 'P100' mint marks for 1999 vs other years","No defined terms section — all technical terms (obverse, reverse, milled edge) are used in ordinary sense","Straightforward tabular data — single Schedule table mapping 12 animals to years 1996-2007","Precise but uncomplicated measurements — physical specifications are detailed but presented as flat data without nested conditions"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets out the technical specifications for a series of special Australian commemorative coins minted in the mid-1990s. It covers:\n\n- **What it does**: Authorises the Royal Australian Mint to produce specific collectible coins with precise physical characteristics — including weight, diameter, thickness, metal purity, and design details.\n\n- **Who it affects**: Primarily coin collectors, precious metal investors, and the Royal Australian Mint. These are **numismatic** (collector) and **bullion** (precious metal investment) coins, not everyday currency for buying groceries.\n\n- **The coins covered**:\n - A **$1 silver coin** featuring a kookaburra (part of the popular \"Australian Kookaburra\" series)\n - **Gold coins** in denominations of $5, $15, $25, $50, and $100, mostly featuring animals from the **Chinese zodiac** (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig) for years 1996–2007\n - Three special **$50 gold coins** with Chinese prosperity symbols (\"fok\", \"luk\", \"shu\" — representing good fortune, success, and longevity)\n - A **$40 palladium coin** featuring an emu (notably creating a new denomination not previously in Australian law)\n\n- **Key technical details**: Each clause specifies exact measurements (down to fractions of a millimetre and gram), allowed manufacturing tolerances, and mandatory inscriptions including the Queen's effigy, \"ELIZABETH II\", \"AUSTRALIA\", and the denomination.\n\n- **Why it matters**: These specifications ensure consistency, prevent counterfeiting, and guarantee metal content for investors. The Chinese zodiac series was particularly significant as it tapped into the Asian bullion market, making Australian gold coins popular with international collectors."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995","history":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1995/documents"}}