{"id":"F2006B00531","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 5)","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":436738,"registerId":"F2006B00531-fast-fetch-1775953841777","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 5)","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n\n\nCurrency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 5)\n\nI, ROSS CAMERON, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, make this Determination under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965.\n\nDated 7 July 2004\n\nROSS CAMERON\n\nParliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer\n\nContents\n\n 1 Name of Determination \n\n 2 Commencement \n\n 3 Specification of coins \n\n 4 Application of Determination \n\nSchedule 1 Specifications of coins \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n1 Name of Determination\n\n This Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2004 (No. 5).\n\n2 Commencement\n\n This Determination commences on the date of its notification in the Gazette.\n\n3 Specification of coins\n\n (1) For subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, each item in Schedule 1 specifies:\n\n (a) the denomination of a coin; and\n\n (b) the coin’s standard composition; and\n\n (c) the coin’s standard weight, and the allowable variation from that weight; and\n\n (d) the coin’s dimensions; and\n\n (e) the coin’s design.\n\n (2) A reference in Schedule 1 to the diameter of a coin is, for a coin that is not circular, a reference to the distance between two parallel faces of the edge of the coin.\n\n4 Application of Determination\n\n The specifications in Schedule 1 do not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin.\n\nSchedule 1 Specifications of coins\n\n(section 3)\n\n \n\n \n\n| Item 1 | 5c coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | 5c |\n| Standard composition | Copper and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 2.83g ± 0.13g |\n| Maximum diameter | 19.53mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 1.55mm |\n| Shape | Circular |\n| Edge | Continuously milled |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of an echidna; and
(b) the following inscriptions:
(i) ‘5’;
(ii) ‘SD’. |\n\n\n \n\n| Item 2 | 10c coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | 10c |\n| Standard composition | Copper and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 5.65g ± 0.20g |\n| Maximum diameter | 23.72mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 1.98mm |\n| Shape | Circular |\n| Edge | Continuously milled |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of a lyrebird; and
(b) the following inscriptions:
(i) ‘10’;
(ii) ‘SD’. |\n\n\n \n\n| Item 3 | 20c coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | 20c |\n| Standard composition | Copper and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 11.30g ± 0.33g |\n| Maximum diameter | 28.65mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 2.52mm |\n| Shape | Circular |\n| Edge | Continuously milled |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of a soldier, a woman and a child; and
(b) the following inscriptions:
(i) ‘WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945 COMING HOME’;
(ii) ‘20’. |\n\n\n \n\n| Item 4 | 50c coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | 50c |\n| Standard composition | Copper and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 15.55g ± 0.40g |\n| Maximum diameter | 31.65mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 2.80mm |\n| Shape | Dodecagonal |\n| Edge | Plain |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of:
(i) a cemetery with 3 crosses; and
(ii) a Minister of Religion; and
(iii) 4 soldiers; and
(b) the following inscriptions:
(i) ‘WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945 REMEMBRANCE’;
(ii) ‘FIFTY CENTS’. |\n\n\n \n\n| Item 5 | $1 coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | $1 |\n| Standard composition | Copper, aluminium and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 9.00g ± 0.28g |\n| Maximum diameter | 25.12mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 2.80mm |\n| Shape | Circular |\n| Edge | 14 segments, of which 7 are milled and 7 are plain |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of a man dancing, with a hat held in his hand and his shadow; and
(b) the following inscriptions:
(i) ‘WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945 PEACE’;
(ii) ‘1 DOLLAR’. |\n\n\n \n\n| Item 6 | $2 coin |\n| --- | --- |\n| Denomination | $2 |\n| Standard composition | Copper, aluminium and nickel |\n| Standard weight and allowable variation | 6.60g ± 0.26g |\n| Maximum diameter | 20.62mm |\n| Maximum thickness | 3.00mm |\n| Shape | Circular |\n| Edge | 8 segments, of which 4 are milled and 4 are plain |\n| Obverse design | An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monogram ‘IRB’ surrounded by the inscriptions:
(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’; and
(b) ‘AUSTRALIA 2005’. |\n| Reverse design | A design consisting of:
(a) a representation of an Aboriginal elder; and
(b) a representation of the Southern Cross constellation; and
(c) a grasstree; and
(d) the inscription ‘2 DOLLARS’. |\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Determination stays within the statutory purpose in subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965: it specifies physical and design characteristics of coins to be struck by the Royal Australian Mint. It does not expand the legal scope beyond that purpose; it adds particular commemorative designs and technical details for a 2005 issue but does not change denomination definitions, legal tender status, or create new regulatory obligations beyond the technical specifications (see section 3 and Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument (4 sections + one schedule).","Single clear statutory source: subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 (one cross‑reference).","Schedule 1 contains 6 discrete, repetitively structured items (one per denomination).","Limited technical content: each item lists composition, weight with tolerance, dimensions, shape, edge, obverse and reverse design.","One minor interpretive clause (section 3(2)) defining \"diameter\" for non‑circular coins.","No nested exceptions, no multiple defined terms or conditional flows, and no extensive cross‑referencing to other Acts."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This Determination legally sets the technical specifications for a set of Australian circulating coins to be struck by the Royal Australian Mint. (Made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965; see section 3 of the Determination.)\n\n- The instrument lists six coin types in Schedule 1: 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, $1 and $2. For each coin it prescribes: denomination, metal composition, standard weight with allowable variation, maximum diameter and thickness, shape and edge style, and the obverse (Queen’s effigy) and reverse (design and inscriptions). (Schedule 1; section 3(1).)\n\n- It clarifies that for non‑circular coins the stated \"diameter\" means the distance between two parallel faces of the coin’s edge. (Section 3(2).)\n\n- It notes that these specifications do not override any other existing determination about coin specifications. (Section 4.)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Royal Australian Mint: the Mint must produce coins to these specifications.\n- Businesses and devices that handle physical coins (banks, cash‑handling companies, vending and parking machines, coin sorters and counters, and transport operators): they rely on coin dimensions, weight tolerances and edge/shape to accept and sort coins reliably.\n- Retailers, consumers and coin collectors: the appearance and legal definition of coins (including commemorative reverse designs and the year inscription) affect circulation, numismatic demand and recognition.\n- Law enforcement and anti‑counterfeiting units: specifications inform detection and testing standards.\n\n**Why it matters (practical consequences and trade‑offs)**\n\n- Operational compatibility: precise dimensions, weight tolerances and edge/shape determine whether machines will accept the coins. Even small changes can require recalibration of private coin‑handling equipment (Schedule 1). Section 3(1)(c)–(d) supplies the tolerances and dimensions that matter to manufacturers.\n\n- Material and production costs: the prescribed metal compositions and weights determine raw material exposure and minting costs. Those costs are borne by the issuer (the Commonwealth via the Mint) and can influence decisions about minting volumes or commemorative runs (Schedule 1). \n\n- Design and collector effects: the reverse designs listed include commemorative themes (for example, inscriptions referring to World War II, and specific pictorial motifs). Commemorative designs can concentrate benefits (collector interest and potential numismatic sales) while ongoing circulation effects (machine compatibility, public recognition) remain diffuse. The Determination itself states the visual/design content in Schedule 1.\n\n- Legal certainty and limits: by issuing these technical specifications under the Currency Act 1965, the Determination creates an authoritative legal description of the coins. Section 4 explicitly preserves other determinations, so this instrument does not by itself replace prior determinations.\n\n**Implementation risks and administrative features**\n\n- Low regulatory complexity: the instrument is a technical, itemised specification rather than a rule‑making exercise with broad discretion. Main implementation tasks are technical (minting to tolerances, engraving approved designs) rather than policy choices (see sections 2–4 and Schedule 1).\n\n- Equipment adjustment costs are concentrated on businesses operating coin handling hardware; government bears minting costs. Changes to design do not, on their face, change denomination values or legal tender status — they change physical and visual characteristics only (Schedule 1; section 3).\n\n**Source’s apparent purpose and a brief test against practical effects**\n\n- The instrument’s apparent purpose is to authorise and set out the technical and visual specifications for a 2005 set of coins (as shown by the inscriptions and commemorative reverse themes in Schedule 1). The Determination achieves that mechanically by listing metal, weight, size, shape, edge and designs for each denomination (section 3 and Schedule 1).\n\n- Testing this purpose against likely costs and incentives: the main cost is production and any necessary recalibration by private operators of coin‑handling equipment. Benefits (from the government’s perspective) include legal certainty about the coins to be issued and the ability to issue commemorative designs that may attract numismatic sales. Those effects are concrete and limited in scope; the Determination does not change denominations, monetary policy, or legal tender rules—it defines the physical form of specified coins (sections 3–4, Schedule 1)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying the physical characteristics of particular coins to be minted. It does not expand beyond technical coin specifications into broader monetary policy or currency regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward tabular structure with 6 items, each following an identical format","Only 4 operative sections plus a schedule, with minimal conditional language","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the empowering provision (Currency Act 1965)","Single interpretation provision (section 3(2)) clarifying diameter measurement for non-circular coins","Technical specifications are descriptive rather than legalistic — weights, dimensions and designs are stated plainly","No exceptions, exemptions, or nested conditions"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the technical specifications for Australia’s six circulating coins minted in 2005 (5c–$2), prescribing their metal compositions, precise weights and tolerances, dimensions, shapes and edge details, plus the obverse (Queen Elizabeth II with “AUSTRALIA 2005”) and the specified reverse designs.\n\nIt binds the Royal Australian Mint, affects banks, businesses, vending machines and collectors, and ensures uniformity, recognisability and machine compatibility — including commemorative 60th‑anniversary World War II designs."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2004-no-5/documents"}}