{"id":"F2005B02905","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1)","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":33081,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B02905-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1)","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nCurrency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1)\n\nas amended\n\nmade under paragraph 13 (2) (b) and subsection 13A (1) of the\n\nCurrency Act 1965\n\nThis compilation was prepared on 31 March 2004 \ntaking into account amendments up to Currency (Royal Australian Mint) \nAmendment Determination 2004 (No. 1)\n\nPrepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, \nAttorney‑General’s Department, Canberra\n\nContents\n\n1 Name of Determination \\[see Note 1\\]\n\n2 Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]\n\n3 Standard composition of coins\n\n4 Specification of coins\n\n5 Application of Determination\n\nSchedule 1\n\nPart 1 Specifications of coins\n\nPart 2 Explanation of symbols\n\nNotes\n\n1 Name of Determination \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1).\n\n2 Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis Determination commences on gazettal.\n\n3 Standard composition of coins\n\nFor paragraph 13 (2) (b) of the Currency Act 1965, that Act has effect, on and after the commencement of this Determination:\n\n(a) as if there were included in the Schedule to that Act the denominations of money mentioned in column 2 of items 103 and 104 of Part 1 of Schedule 1; and\n\n(b) as if there were specified in the Schedule opposite those denominations, as the standard composition of coins of those denominations, the standard composition mentioned in column 3 of those items.\n\n4 Specification of coins\n\nFor subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, this Determination specifies, for a coin having the denomination and standard composition specified in columns 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, the standard weight, the allowable variation from that weight, the dimensions and the design specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 of that Part.\n\n5 Application of Determination\n\nThe specifications in Schedule 1 to this Determination do not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin.\n\nSchedule 1\n\n(sections 3 and 4)\n\nPart 1 Specifications of coins\n\n```html\n

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Item

Denomination

Standard composition

Standard weight and allowable variation (g)

Dimensions

Design

(1)
Diameter
(mm) max.

(2)
Thickness
(mm)
max.

(1)
Shape

(2)
Edge

(3)
Obverse

(4)
Reverse

101

$5

Not less than 99.9% silver

36.31

38.90

3.50

S1

E1

O40

R331

102

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 0.40

31.65

2.80

S3

E4

O41

R332

103

$1

Annulus: not less than 99.9% silver

Centre: not less than 99.9% copper

56.23 0.80

50.10

3.80

S1

E1

O42

R333

104

$5

Copper and nickel

Gold plating: 99.9% gold

27.25 0.56

38.90

3.10

S1

E1

O41

R334

\n```\n\nPart 2 Explanation of symbols\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |\n| -------- | -------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Item | Design Feature | Symbol | Explanation |\n| 201 | Shape | S1 | Circular |\n| 202 | Shape | S3 | Dodecagonal |\n| 203 | Edge | E1 | Continuously milled |\n| 204 | Edge | E4 | Plain |\n| 205 | Obverse | O40 | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’, surrounded by the inscriptions:(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2004’; and(c) ‘5 DOLLARS’. |\n| 206 | Obverse | O41 | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’, surrounded by the inscriptions:(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2004’. |\n| 207 | Obverse | O42 | A design consisting of:(a) a silver annulus with a small effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the monogram ‘IRB’ and the inscriptions:(i) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and(ii) ‘AUSTRALIA 2004’; and(iii) ‘1 DOLLAR’; and(b) a copper centre consisting of a representation of the obverse of a penny comprising a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the rim, enclosing the inscription ‘ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F:D:+’;that, in turn, surrounds an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. |\n| 208 | Reverse | R331 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of the ship ‘Lady Nelson’ at sea and representations of 2 branches of leatherwood, superimposed on an outline map of Tasmania; and(b) the inscription ‘BICENTENARY OF TASMANIA’. |\n| 209 | Reverse | R332 | A representation of a drawing of:(a) a koala holding onto a gum tree; and(b) a lorikeet with its wings outstretched; and(c) a wombat; and(d) the number ‘50’. |\n| 210 | Reverse | R333 | A design consisting of:(a) a silver annulus with:(i) a cameo of the obverse of a penny featuring King George V; and(ii) a cameo of the obverse of a penny featuring King George VI; and(iii) a cameo of the obverse of a penny featuring Queen Elizabeth II; and(iv) a cameo of the reverse of the first penny released in 1911; and(v) the inscriptions:(A) ‘1911’; and(B) ‘1964’; and(vi) 2 seven pointed stars; and(b) a copper centre consisting of a representation of the reverse of a 1964 penny comprising a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the rim, enclosing:(i) the inscription ‘AUSTRALIA’; and(ii) the inscription ‘PENNY’; and(iii) an image of a kangaroo; and(iv) a seven pointed star; and(v) the monogram ‘KG’; and(vi) the inscription ‘1964’. |\n| 211 | Reverse | R334 | A design consisting of:(a) an inner copper nickel oval containing a representation of the Australian Football League Premiership Cup; and(b) a gold plated surround with:(i) the inscription ‘Australia’s Own Game’; and(ii) the inscription ‘Five Dollars’; and(iii) 2 logos of the Australian Football League. |\n\n> Notes to the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1)\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 1) (in force under paragraph 13 (2) (b) and 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 (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2003 (No. 8) | 27 Jan 2004 (see Gazette 2004, No. S15) | 27 Jan 2004 | |\n| Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 1) | 17 Mar 2004 (see Gazette 2004, No. S81) | 17 Mar 2004 | — |\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

S. 1.................

rs. 2004 No. 1

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Determination does not broaden the legal scope of the Currency Act; it fulfils the Act's existing delegated power by specifying technical details for particular coins (composition, weight tolerances, dimensions and authorised designs). It is an instance of the routine, instrument-level exercise of power under the Currency Act rather than a change in legislative purpose. Section 5 expressly limits the Determination's effect to the listed specifications and preserves other determinations."},"complexity_factors":["Small instrument: single Schedule (Schedule 1) with two Parts only","Four coin items specified in Part 1 (items 101–104)","Eleven design/feature symbol definitions in Part 2 (items 201–211)","Cross-references to the Currency Act 1965 (paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1))","Numerical technical tolerances (weights ± values, diameters, thicknesses) that require precise manufacturing but simple legal text","Use of shorthand design symbols (e.g. S1, E1, O40, R331) requiring cross-read of Part 2","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond standard specification mapping","Amendment history recorded but no multiple layers of repeal/substitution within instrument"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Determination does (mechanically)\n\n- This is a technical instrument made under the Currency Act 1965 that records and fixes the technical specifications for a small set of Australian coins. Mechanically, it (a) treats certain denominations as included in the Schedule to the Currency Act (so they are recognised under that Act) and (b) specifies the metals, weights (with allowable variation), dimensions, edge/shape details and the authorised obverse/reverse designs for those coins (see sections 3 and 4 and Schedule 1).\n\n**Which coins and specifications are set**\n\n- The instrument lists four items in Schedule 1, Part 1 (items 101–104):\n - Item 101: a $5 coin of not less than 99.9% silver, with a standard weight of 36.31 g, diameter 38.90 mm, thickness 3.50 mm, circular shape (S1), continuously milled edge (E1) and specified obverse O40 and reverse R331 designs.\n - Item 102: a 50 cent coin in copper–nickel, 15.55 g ± 0.40 g, diameter 31.65 mm, thickness 2.80 mm, dodecagonal shape (S3), plain edge (E4), with obverse O41 and reverse R332 designs.\n - Item 103: a $1 bimetallic coin with a silver annulus and copper centre (annulus: 99.9% silver; centre: not less than 99.9% copper), 56.23 g ± 0.80 g, diameter 50.10 mm, thickness 3.80 mm, circular, milled edge (S1/E1) and obverse O42 / reverse R333 designs.\n - Item 104: a $5 coin in copper–nickel with a 99.9% gold plating, 27.25 g ± 0.56 g, diameter 38.90 mm, thickness 3.10 mm, circular, milled edge (S1/E1) and obverse O41 / reverse R334 designs.\n\n- Part 2 of Schedule 1 decodes the short symbols (S1, E1, O40, R331, etc.) into human-readable shape, edge and design descriptions (for example, O40 is an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with inscriptions, R331 is a bicentenary of Tasmania reverse, and R334 relates to the Australian Football League design).\n\n**Who this affects and how**\n\n- Royal Australian Mint: the Mint is the operational body that will manufacture coins to these specifications; the Determination gives the legal technical basis for production (sections 3–4 and Schedule 1).\n- General public and businesses: coins authorised under the Currency Act are legal tender; the public may receive and use these coins in transactions. Businesses that rely on coin-handling equipment (vending machines, parking meters, coin sorters) are affected because dimensions, weights and shapes determine whether equipment accepts the coin.\n- Collectors and numismatic buyers: several designs are commemorative (Tasmania bicentenary, historical penny motifs, AFL), so the market for collector/commemorative pieces is relevant.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical implications)**\n\n- The stated legal purpose is to set the legal and technical standards that allow the Mint to produce and circulate coins under the Currency Act (claims reflected in sections 3 and 4). Practically, the Determination:\n - Creates binding technical requirements (metal content, weight tolerances, dimensions, design elements) that the Mint must meet when striking these coins (Schedule 1). \n - Authorises specific commemorative and circulating designs and records them as lawful designs for legal tender coins (Part 2 design explanations).\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs (concrete mechanisms)**\n\n- Production cost: coins using precious metals (99.9% silver annulus, 99.9% gold plating) raise per-unit production costs. The instrument does not set sale prices; the Mint or government decisions determine whether coins are sold for face value, sold as collector items at a premium, or placed into general circulation. The Determination simply sets technical/legal permissibility (see Schedule 1).\n- Concentrated benefits: designs aimed at collectors (limited mintage or commemorative themes) are likely to generate concentrated demand among collectors; the Mint may capture that benefit through sales. Those benefits are concentrated while production costs are borne by the Mint (and ultimately by whoever pays for minting—the Mint, collectors, or government budgets) depending on pricing and marketing.\n- Diffuse costs / opportunity cost: if production resources or government attention are allocated to commemorative coin programs, there is an opportunity cost relative to other uses of Mint capacity or public funds.\n- Operational impacts: vending, transport and coin-handling industries bear adjustment costs if a new circulated coin has dimensions/shape that differ from existing coins (Schedule 1 sets the precise tolerances that determine compatibility).\n\n**Compliance, discretion and limits**\n\n- The instrument imposes implementation standards on the Mint (weights, tolerances, dimensions and exact designs). These are objective, technical obligations with limited interpretive discretion once the instrument is in force (sections 3–4 and Schedule 1).\n- Section 5 expressly states these specifications do not affect other determinations of coin specifications; so the Determination is limited to the coins listed and does not overturn prior specifications for other coins.\n\n**Summary conclusion (neutral)**\n\n- This Determination is a focused, technical instrument that brings specified coin denominations and detailed physical and design specifications under the Currency Act. It authorises specific commemorative and circulating coins and fixes the manufacturing tolerances the Mint must meet. Its tangible effects are operational (what the Mint can lawfully make), market-facing (which coin designs and metal contents may be offered to the public and collectors), and logistical (whether coin-handling equipment will accept the coins). (See sections 3–5 and Schedule 1, Parts 1–2.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying technical details for particular commemorative coins. The amendment shown (2004 No. 1) simply updated the name provision (section 1) without expanding the scope beyond coin specification."},"complexity_factors":["Simple tabular structure with 4 coin specifications in Schedule 1","Cross-references to parent Currency Act 1965 (2 specific provisions)","11 defined symbols in Part 2 (S1, S3, E1, E4, O40-O42, R331-R334)","No conditional logic or nested exceptions","Straightforward amendment table showing only one previous change","Technical but precise manufacturing specifications (weights, dimensions, metal compositions)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the technical specifications for four special commemorative coins to be made by the Royal Australian Mint in 2004. It covers:\n\n- **What coins are being made**: Two $5 coins, one $1 coin, and one 50 cent coin\n- **What they're made of**: Various combinations including silver, copper-nickel, and gold plating\n- **Physical specs**: Exact weight, size, thickness, and how much these can vary\n- **Design details**: What's on the heads side (obverse) and tails side (reverse) of each coin, including special commemorations for:\n - Tasmania's bicentenary (200th anniversary)\n - Australian native animals (koala, lorikeet, wombat)\n - The history of the Australian penny (1911-1964)\n - Australian Rules Football\n\nThe law works by adding these new coin types to the main Currency Act 1965 and giving the Royal Australian Mint precise manufacturing instructions. It also makes clear that these new specs don't override any other coin specifications that might already exist."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-1/documents"}}