{"id":"F2011L01457","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2011 (No. 2)","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":125725,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2011L01457-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Determination","content":"1 Name of Determination\n\nThis Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2011 (No. 2).\n\n","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"2 Commencement\n\nThis Determination commences on the day after it is registered.\n\n","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"3 Definitions\n\nIn this Determination:\n\nAct means the Currency Act 1965.\n\n","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design","content":"4 Standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design\n\n(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):\n\n(a) the coin’s standard weight; and\n\n(b) the allowable variation from that standard weight; and\n\n(c) the coin’s dimensions; and\n\n(d) the coin’s design.\n\n(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.\n\n","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Sch 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"Schedule 1\n\n(section 4)\n\n","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Specifications of coins","content":"Part 1 Specifications of coins\n\n```html\n

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

31.51

2.80

S2

E3

O1

R1

2

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R2

3

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R3

4

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R4

5

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O4

R5

6

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.66 ± 0.24

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O4

R5

7

$10

Not less than 99.99% gold

3.133 ± 0.22

17.65

1.58

S1

E1

O3

R5

8

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

32.39 ± 0.80

40.25

4.00

S1

E1

O1

R6

9

$5

Not less than 99.99% gold

1.25 +0.04/-0.00

41.20

1.00

S1

E1

O5

R7

10

$5

Not less than 99.99% gold

1.25 +0.04/-0.00

41.20

1.00

S1

E1

O5

R8

11

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R9

12

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R10

13

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R11

14

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R12

15

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R13

16

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R14

17

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R15

18

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R16

19

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R17

20

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R18

21

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R19

22

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R20

23

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R21

24

$10

Not less than 99.99% gold

3.133 ± 0.22

17.65

1.58

S1

E1

O2

R22

25

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.66 ± 0.24

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R9

26

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 ± 0.40

31.51

2.80

S2

E3

O2

R23

27

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 ± 0.40

31.51

2.80

S2

E3

O2

R24

28

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.635 ±0.50

40.15

3.50

S1

E1

O1

R25

\n```\n\n","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Explanation of symbols","content":"Part 2 Explanation of symbols\n\n| Item | Design Feature | Symbol | Explanation |\n| ---- | -------------- | ------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 1 | Shape | S1 | Circular |\n| 2 | Shape | S2 | Dodecagonal |\n| 3 | Edge | E1 | Continuously milled |\n| 4 | Edge | E2 | Interrupted milling |\n| 5 | Edge | E3 | Plain |\n| 6 | Obverse | O1 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2011’ |\n| 7 | Obverse | O2 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2012’ |\n| 8 | Obverse | O3 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2012’;(d) ’10 DOLLARS’ |\n| 9 | Obverse | O4 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2012’;(d) ‘1 DOLLAR’ |\n| 10 | Obverse | O5 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2011’;(d) ‘5 DOLLARS’ |\n| 11 | Reverse | R1 | A design consisting of:(a) in the centre, a blue image of the triple zero emergency logo, which is made up of:(i) a telephone handset;(ii) the number ‘000’;(iii) the word ‘EMERGENCY’ and(b) in the upper sector:(i) the word ‘POLICE’, superimposed on a white and blue check pattern; and(c) on the left:(i) the word ‘AMBULANCE’ in green colour;(ii) a yellow and green check pattern; and(d) on the right:(i) the word ‘FIRE’ in red colour;(ii) a yellow and red check pattern; and(e) the following:(i) ‘50’;(ii) ‘50 YEARS OF THE TRIPLE ZERO (000) EMERGENCY CALL SERVICE’ |\n| 12 | Reverse | R2 | A design consisting of:(a) on the left, a representation of 6 rows of faces, facing the right; and(b) on the right, the Census of Population and Housing logo; and(c) the following:(i) ‘1 DOLLAR’;(ii) ‘AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS’;(iii) ‘100 YEARS OF CENSUS’ |\n| 13 | Reverse | R3 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of a Cairns birdwing butterfly on foliage; and(b) a representation of a leaf; and(c) the following:(i) ‘1 Dollar’ |\n| 14 | Reverse | R4 | A design consisting of:(a) in the foreground, a coloured image of a grey-headed flying fox; and(b) in the background, a representation of the foliage of a lilly pilly; and(c) the following:(i) ‘1 Dollar’ |\n| 15 | Reverse | R5 | A design consisting of:(a) a central circle containing:(i) a representation of a Chinese dragon;(ii) a representation of a flame;(iii) a circle enclosing the initials ‘VG’; and(b) surrounding the central circle, the following:(i) a representation of a flame;(ii) the pinyin pictograph pronounced ‘lóng’ and meaning ‘dragon’;(iii) four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame;(iv) ‘2012’;(v) ‘YEAR OF THE DRAGON’ |\n| 16 | Reverse | R6 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a section of the Princes Bridge; and(b) a line drawing representation of the Melbourne skyline; and(c) a representation of 1 person standing and 2 persons walking; and(d) in the foreground, a representation of grass; and(e) the following:(i) ‘PRINCES BRIDGE MELBOURNE’;(ii) ‘ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER’;(iii) ‘ONE DOLLAR’ |\n| 17 | Reverse | R7 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of Old Government House and driveway; and(b) to the left of the driveway, a stylised representation of shrubs; and(c) to the right of the roof, a stylised representation of foliage; and(d) the following:(i) ‘OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND DOMAIN’;(ii) ‘1/25 oz .9999 Au’ |\n| 18 | Reverse | R8 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a Coal Mines Historic Site tunnel; and(b) a representation of grass in between bricks; and(c) the following:(i) ‘COAL MINES HISTORIC SITE’;(ii) ‘1/25 oz .9999 Au’ |\n| 19 | Reverse | R9 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of 3 ears of wheat tied by a ribbon; and(b) the following:(i) ‘20’;(ii) ‘12’;(iii) ‘AUSTRALIA’;(iv) ‘ONE DOLLAR’;(v) ‘C’;(vi) the designer’s initials ‘K’ and ‘G’ |\n| 20 | Reverse | R10 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘B’ enclosed by a square |\n| 21 | Reverse | R11 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘S’ enclosed by a square |\n| 22 | Reverse | R12 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘M’ enclosed by a square |\n| 23 | Reverse | R13 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘H’ enclosed by a square |\n| 24 | Reverse | R14 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘A’ enclosed by a square |\n| 25 | Reverse | R15 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘D’ enclosed by a square |\n| 26 | Reverse | R16 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘P’ enclosed by a square |\n| 27 | Reverse | R17 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘B’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 28 | Reverse | R18 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘S’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 29 | Reverse | R19 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘M’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 30 | Reverse | R20 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘P’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 31 | Reverse | R21 | As for item 19, replacing the reference in paragraph (v) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘A’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 32 | Reverse | R22 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of 3 ears of wheat tied by a ribbon; and(b) the following:(i) ‘20’;(ii) ‘12’;(iii) ‘AUSTRALIA’;(iv) ‘TEN DOLLARS’;(v) ‘C’;(vi) the designer’s initials ‘K’ and ‘G’;(vii) ‘1/10 oz .9999 Au’ |\n| 33 | Reverse | R23 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured representation of the arms of the Commonwealth; and(b) the following:(i) ‘50’;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘SD’ |\n| 34 | Reverse | R24 | A design consisting of:(a) a partially gold plated representation of the arms of the Commonwealth; and(b) the following:(i) ‘50’;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘SD’ |\n| 35 | Reverse | R25 | A design consisting of:(a) in the centre, the World Wildlife Fund logo, which is made up of:(i) a giant panda;(ii) the copyright symbol, which is made up of a circle enclosing the letter ‘C’;(iii) the registered trademark symbol, which is made up of a circle enclosing the letter ‘R’; and(b) surrounding the central logo, a representation of 60 snubfin dolphins arranged in a repetitive circular pattern wherein the dolphins:(i) increase in size;(ii) face the right and change direction to the left;after every 12th dolphin; and(c) the following:(i) the initials ‘WP’;(ii) ‘50th ANNIVERSARY OF WWF’;(iii) ‘ONE DOLLAR’ |","sortOrder":6}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Determination remains narrowly within the Currency Act power to fix coin specifications (subsection 13A(1)). It lists technical specifications and authorised designs for particular coin issues. That is consistent with the usual and original purpose of such determinations (to set standards for coin production). It does not broaden the statutory power or add obligations outside technical specification and design authorisation; it therefore does not materially change the statutory scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single-purpose Determination with a long technical schedule rather than multi-part legislative obligations (keeps structure simple).","28 separate coin specification items listed in Schedule 1, Part 1 (each with multiple numeric fields: composition, standard weight, allowable variation, diameter, thickness, and code references).","35 design/feature codes to decode in Schedule 1, Part 2 (S1–S2 shapes; E1–E3 edges; O1–O5 obverse variants; R1–R25 reverse designs) requiring cross-referencing between the table and legend.","Repeated numeric tolerances and material descriptions for each item (requires care to match the right tolerance to the right item).","Limited cross-references to other legal material (the instrument is made under s13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 and preserves other determinations by s4(2)) — low legal cross‑referencing complexity.","Numerical conventions and symbolic shorthand (e.g. ± tolerances, mixed units mm/g) increase reading care but not interpretive ambiguity."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- This Determination, made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, lists the precise technical specifications for a set of Australian coins (weight, allowable variation, metal composition, diameter, thickness and the authorised design for the obverse and reverse of each coin) (see section 4(1) and Schedule 1). It comes into force the day after registration (section 2).\n\n- The schedule is in two parts:\n - Part 1: a table of coin items. For each item it records denomination, standard composition, standard weight and allowable variation (in grams), maximum diameter and maximum thickness (in millimetres), and short codes for the shape, edge, obverse and reverse design assigned to that coin (Schedule 1, Part 1). \n - Part 2: a legend that explains the short codes used in the table (for example S1 = circular shape; E1 = continuously milled edge; O1–O5 = specific obverse portraits and legends; R1–R25 = specific reverse (back) designs including commemorative imagery and inscriptions) (Schedule 1, Part 2).\n\n- The Determination expressly preserves other determinations already made under the same power (section 4(2)).\n\nWho this affects\n\n- The Royal Australian Mint and the Assistant Treasurer (the decision-maker who made this Determination) — the Mint must produce coins to these specifications.\n- People and organisations who order or buy official commemorative coins from the Mint (because the Determination records which commemorative designs are authorised).\n- Businesses and the public that receive or handle these coins, because the Determination fixes legal tolerances and authorised appearances for circulating and commemorative legal tender.\n\nWhy it matters (policy function and practical effects)\n\n- The Determination sets the legal technical standards the Mint must follow when producing the listed coin issues (section 4(1)). That establishes what counts as an authorised coin of a given denomination and design for the purposes of production and recognition.\n\n- By specifying exact weights, tolerances and dimensions, it defines manufacturing tolerances the Mint must meet and provides a reference point for testing coins (useful for quality control, counterfeiting checks, and acceptance by cash-handling machines).\n\n- By enumerating obverse/reverse designs (including commemorative themes such as emergency services, census, wildlife anniversaries, gold and silver bullion issues, and other motifs), it authorises the use of particular third‑party imagery or messages on official coins. Those authorised designs grant promotional or commemorative exposure to the named subjects (Schedule 1, Part 2).\n\nOfficial purpose-claims and material trade-offs (attribution then practical testing)\n\n- The Determination is presented as a technical specification instrument: its stated purpose is to prescribe standard weights, allowable variation, dimensions and designs for listed coins (section 4(1)).\n\n- Testing that claim against practical trade-offs and implementation considerations:\n - Costs and who pays: the production and design costs fall on the Mint (and ultimately on the Mint’s customers or the government if the coins are issued for circulation); the Determination itself does not create a user fee but fixes manufacturing parameters that determine material and processing costs (section 4(1), Schedule 1). \n - Incentives and behaviour: the specification constrains the Mint’s production processes (what alloys and dies to use, and acceptable tolerances). It also creates predictable product attributes for third parties who distribute, sell or machine-handle coins (retailers, banks, vending machine operators).\n - Compliance and implementation risk: ensuring coins meet listed tolerances requires Mint quality control; failure could result in rejected runs or recalls. The instrument does not set enforcement procedures — those remain in the Act and administrative practice.\n - Bureaucratic discretion: the Assistant Treasurer exercises a discretionary statutory power to make these determinations (the instrument itself records the decision but does not detail the selection process for designs). That discretion determines which commemorative subjects are authorised, but the Determination does not describe selection criteria or procurement arrangements.\n - Effects on private choice and markets: the Determination mainly governs a public actor (the Mint). It does not directly regulate private businesses’ prices, competition or ownership. However, authorised designs confer concentrated promotional value (to organisations or causes whose imagery is used) while the costs of production and any subsidisation are borne by the Mint’s funding model or purchasers. The Determination does not itself allocate revenue shares or commercial terms.\n - Potential for concentrated benefits and substitution effects: authorising a commemorative design confers exclusive official use of that design on legal tender coins (Schedule 1, Part 2). That is a concentrated benefit for the named subject (e.g. an organisation whose logo appears). The Determination does not describe any tendering or selection process, so there is an implementation risk that design-selection could create lobbying or capture pressures unless transparent administrative rules are used.\n\nOther operational points\n\n- The instrument is narrowly technical: it does not change coin denominations, monetary policy, or broader statutory rules — it simply records production standards for the listed coins (section 4 and Schedule 1).\n\n- If other determinations exist, this Determination does not override them (section 4(2)).\n\nBottom-line summary\n\n- This is a technical legal instrument that tells the Mint exactly what coins (and commemorative designs) it is authorised to produce and the precise manufacturing tolerances for those coins. It affects the Mint directly and users of the coins indirectly (through machine acceptance and recognition). It sets discrete, concrete production requirements and authorises particular commemorative images, but it does not itself create enforcement rules, commercial terms, or processes for selecting designs beyond the specification recorded in the schedule."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2796},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination operates squarely within the original intent of the Currency Act 1965, section 13A(1), which explicitly empowers the Minister to determine the standard weight, composition, dimensions, and design of coins. It has not expanded beyond this technical, ministerial function into broader policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["Dense technical data table with 28 rows requiring cross-referencing to Part 2 symbol definitions (e.g., decoding 'R5' requires looking up the Year of the Dragon design description)","Minimal legislative framework—only 4 substantive sections with limited conditional logic and no exceptions to exceptions","Single defined term ('Act') and one legislative cross-reference to Currency Act 1965","Use of technical minting terminology (e.g., 'dodecagonal', 'interrupted milling', 'lunes', 'obverse') without in-document definitions, requiring external knowledge","Simple savings clause (subsection 4(2)) preserving the operation of other determinations"],"plain_english_summary":"This **determination** (a type of legal rule made by a government minister) acts as a technical blueprint for 28 specific types of Australian coins that the Royal Australian Mint was authorised to produce in 2011–2012.\n\n**What it does**\nIt sets the exact physical specifications and artwork for each coin, including:\n* **Metal composition** — from standard copper-nickel alloys for 50 cent pieces to 99.99% pure gold for $10 collectable coins\n* **Weight and dimensions** — precise measurements in grams and millimetres, with allowable manufacturing tolerances (e.g., a $1 coin must weigh 9.00 grams, give or take 0.28 grams)\n* **Design** — using shorthand codes to describe the **obverse** (the \"heads\" side, showing Queen Elizabeth II) and **reverse** (the \"tails\" side, showing the main artwork)\n\n**Who it affects**\nPrimarily the Royal Australian Mint (telling them what to manufacture), but also coin collectors and businesses, as it defines what legally counts as valid currency for these specific issues.\n\n**The coins covered**\nThe determination covers standard circulation coins plus special commemorative editions celebrating:\n* The 50th anniversary of the 000 emergency call service\n* 100 years of the Australian Census\n* The Year of the Dragon\n* Australian World Heritage sites (Princes Bridge, Old Government House, Coal Mines)\n* The 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund\n* A series of \"mint mark\" variations (letters C, B, S, M, H, A, D, P in squares or circles) on a wheat sheaf design for collectors\n\n**How to read it**\nThe document uses coded symbols (like \"S1\", \"E2\", \"R5\") that must be cross-referenced with Part 2. For example, \"S1\" means circular shape, \"E2\" means an **interrupted milled** edge (grooved with gaps), and \"R1\" refers to a specific reverse design featuring the triple zero emergency logo.\n\nFinally, a **savings clause** (subsection 4(2)) ensures this determination does not cancel out or override any previous coin specifications made under the Currency Act 1965."},"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-2011-no-2","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2011-no-2/documents"}}