{"id":"F2008B00116","name":"Currency Determination No. 5 of 1996","slug":"currency-determination-no-5-of-1996","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72464,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008B00116-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency Determination No. 5 of 1996","content":"Commonwealth of Australia\n\nCurrency Act 1965\n\nCurrency Determination No. 5 of 1996\n\nI, JAMES ROBERT SHORT, Assistant Treasurer, acting for the Treasurer, make the following Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.\n\nDated 9 October 1996.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nCitation\n\n1. This Determination may be cited as the Currency Determination No. 5 of 1996.\n\nCommencement\n\n2. This Determination commences on 10 October 1996.\n\nApplication of the Determination\n\n3. This Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications or design of a coin.\n\nSpecifications and design of a $1 silver coin\n\n4\\. (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 0.5 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 40.6 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:\n\n(i) \"ELIZABETH II\"; and\n\n(ii) \"AUSTRALIA\"; and\n\n(iii) \"1 DOLLAR\".\n\n(9) The reverse of the coin bears:\n\n(a) a representation of a kookaburra and young in the hollow of a tree; and\n\n(b) a smaller representation of the coat of arms of the city of Zurich; and\n\n(c) the inscriptions:\n\n(i) \"THE AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA 1 OZ. 999 SILVER\"; and\n\n(ii) \"1997\";\n\nall encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin.\n\nSpecifications and design of a $1 silver coin\n\n5\\. (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 0.5 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 40.6 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:\n\n(i) \"ELIZABETH II\"; and\n\n(ii) \"AUSTRALIA\"; and\n\n(iii) \"1 DOLLAR\".\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, in gold cameo, of Goya's painting, \"La Maja Desnuda\", with the inscriptions:\n\n(i) \"250th\"; and\n\n(ii) \"GOYA\"; 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\nSpecifications and design of a $1 silver coin\n\n6\\. (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 0.5 grams from the standard weight is allowed.\n\n(6) The diameter of the coin is 40.6 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:\n\n(i) \"ELIZABETH II\"; and\n\n(ii) \"AUSTRALIA\"; and\n\n(iii) \"1 DOLLAR\".\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, in gold cameo, of a panda and bamboo; 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.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying the physical characteristics of particular commemorative coins. It has not expanded beyond this narrow technical remit. The three coin variants covered (Zurich, Goya, and Panda themes) all fall within the standard scope of Australian bullion coin programs, which frequently feature international partnerships and commemorative themes."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (approximately 1.5 pages)","Only 6 clauses total, with 3 being near-identical repetitive templates for each coin variant","No defined terms section - all language is plain English or standard numismatic terminology","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the empowering provision (subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965)","Simple linear structure: citation, commencement, application, then three specification clauses","No conditional logic, exceptions, or administrative procedures","Purely descriptive/technical content - dimensions, weights, and artwork descriptions","No enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or compliance requirements stated"],"plain_english_summary":"This technical order authorises minting three collectible 1996–1997 silver $1 coins (99.9% silver) and fixes exact physical and design specifications — size, weight, milled edge, the Queen’s obverse legend, and kookaburra-themed reverses with specific commemorative elements.  \n\nIt binds the Royal Australian Mint and contractors, gives collectors legal/bullion certainty, and enables Australia’s participation in international numismatic collaborations (Zurich, Goya anniversary, panda cameo)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No. The Determination confines itself to prescribing the specifications and designs for three specified $1 silver coins and explicitly states it does not affect other determinations (clause 3). It does not amend the Currency Act or expand legal tender categories; it only fixes manufacturing and design requirements under the power in s.13A(1) of the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Repetitive, near-identical clauses (clauses 4–6) describing three separate coin variants, which increases reading time without adding novel legal effects.","Technical specifications and tight tolerances (weight 31.635 g with ±0.5 g; diameter 40.6 mm; thickness 4.00 mm) that impose precise manufacturing standards (clauses 4(4)–(7), 5(4)–(7), 6(4)–(7)).","Multiple distinct reverse designs and inscriptions (1996 and 1997 variants, gold cameo elements, and a foreign coat of arms) that create variety in production requirements and potential testing/marking differences (clauses 4(9), 5(9), 6(9)).","Legal formality: made under Currency Act s.13A(1) and dated/commencement details (header, 'Commencement' clause) which link this Determination to statutory authorisation.","Explicit non-effect clause (clause 3) that narrows scope by preserving existing determinations but requires cross-referencing by implementers.","Low substantive regulatory discretion within the instrument (specifications are prescriptive), but practical compliance burdens fall on producers and the Mint to meet the precise physical standards."],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination prescribes the physical specifications and designs for three $1 silver coins (standard composition not less than 99.9% silver): circular, milled-edge coins of 31.635 g (±0.5 g), 40.6 mm diameter and 4.00 mm thickness, with prescribed obverse and differing reverse images and inscriptions. It commenced 10 October 1996.\n\nIt affects the Mint (issuer), coin manufacturers, dealers and collectors by fixing manufacturing tolerances and the legally required appearance of these $1 silver coins; it does not alter other determinations (cl. 3) and was made under the Currency Act s.13A(1)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996","history":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-determination-no-5-of-1996/documents"}}