{"id":"F2012L01507","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2012 (No. 3)","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":89490,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2012L01507-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Determination","content":"#### 1 Name of Determination\n\n This Determination is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2012 (No. 3).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n This Determination commences on the day after it is registered.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n In this Determination:\n Act means the Currency Act 1965.","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 (a) the coin’s standard weight; and\n (b) the allowable variation from that standard weight; and\n (c) the coin’s dimensions; and\n (d) the coin’s design.\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.","sortOrder":3},{"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

$10

Not less than 99.99% gold

3.11 + 0.09

17.73

1.58

S1

E1

O1

R1

2

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103+3.00

40.50

3.80

S1

E1

O1

R2

3

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103+3.00

40.50

3.80

S1

E1

O2

R3

4

$100

Not less than 99.99% gold

31.103+1.50

39.00

2.50

S1

E1

O5

R4

5

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 ± 0.40

31.65

2.80

S2

E3

O1

R5

6

50c

Copper and nickel

15.55 ± 0.40

31.65

2.80

S2

E3

O1

R6

7

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R7

8

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.94 ± 0.5

25.30

3.20

S1

E2

O2

R7

9

$10

Not less than 99.99% gold

3.11 + 0.09

17.73

1.58

S1

E1

O6

R7

10

20c

Copper and nickel

11.30 ± 0.33

28.65

2.52

S1

E1

O1

R8

11

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R9

12

20c

Copper and nickel

11.30 ± 0.33

28.65

2.52

S1

E1

O1

R10

13

20c

Copper and nickel with partial plating not less than 99.0% gold

11.30 ± 0.33

28.65

2.52

S1

E1

O1

R11

14

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R12

15

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.94 ± 0.5

25.30

3.20

S1

E2

O11

R12

16

$10

Not less than 99.99% gold

3.11 + 0.09

17.73

1.58

S1

E1

O10

R13

17

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R14

18

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R15

19

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R16

20

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R17

21

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R18

22

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R19

23

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R20

24

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O11

R21

25

$5

Not less than 99.9% silver

36.31 ± 0.64

4.00

3.50

S1

E1

O12

R22

26

20c

Copper and nickel

11.30 ± 0.33

28.65

2.52

S1

E1

O1

R23

27

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

19.10 ± 1.50

40.20

3.10

S1

E3

O7

R24

28

25c

Not less than 99.9% silver

5.85 ± 0.60

19.30

3.10

S1

E3

O8

R25

29

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R26

30

$1

Copper, aluminium and nickel

9.00 ± 0.28

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O1

R27

31

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103+3.00

40.50

3.80

S1

E1

O1

R28

32

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103+3.00

40.50

3.80

S1

E1

O1

R29

33

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

31.103+3.00

40.50

3.80

S1

E1

O4

R30

34

$2

Not less than 99.99% gold

0.5±0.09

11.40

0.80

S1

E3

O9

R31

35

$5

Copper, aluminium, zinc and tin

20.00 ± 0.80

39.00

2.90

S1

E1

O3

R32

36

$1

Not less than 99.9% silver

11.66 ± 0.24

25.12

2.80

S1

E2

O2

R33

37

$2

Copper, aluminium and nickel

6.60 ± 0.26

20.62

3.20

S1

E2

O3

R34

\n```","sortOrder":4},{"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 2013’; |\n| 7 | Obverse | O2 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 1 DOLLAR .’ |\n| 8 | Obverse | O3 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2012’ |\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 2013’;(d) ‘. 100 DOLLARS .’ |\n| 11 | Obverse | O6 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘.10 DOLLARS.’ |\n| 12 | Obverse | O7 | An annular design consisting of:(a) the inscriptions:(i) ‘FERDIN . VII .’;(ii) ‘DEI . GRATIA’;(iii) ‘. 1809 .’;(iv) ‘1813’ and(b) a small circle enclosing an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(i) ‘IRB’;(ii) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(iii) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;partially covering the following:(iv) a central circle;(v) ‘NEW SOUTH WALES’;(vi) a circle of raised beads on the inner rim;(vii) in the background, partially covered by the central circle and partially punched out ‑ a representation of a man;(viii) a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the outer rim |\n| 13 | Obverse | O8 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 25 CENTS .’all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin |\n| 14 | Obverse | O9 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 2 DOLLARS .’ |\n| 15 | Obverse | O10 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 10 DOLLARS .’;all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin |\n| 16 | Obverse | O11 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 1 DOLLAR .’;all encircled by raised beads inside the rim of the coin |\n| 17 | Obverse | O12 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘IRB’;(b) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(c) ‘AUSTRALIA 2013’;(d) ‘. 5 DOLLARS .’ |\n| 18 | Reverse | R1 | A design consisting of:(a) in the foreground, a representation of a kangaroo positioned over rocks; and(b) in the background, a stylised representation an Australian bush scene; and(c) the following:(i) ‘TEN DOLLARS’;(ii) ‘1/10oz .9999 Au’ |\n| 19 | Reverse | R2 | A design consisting of:(a) in the foreground, a representation of a kangaroo positioned over rocks; and(b) in the background, a stylised representation an Australian bush scene; and(c) the following:(i) ‘ONE DOLLAR’;(ii) ‘1 OUNCE FINE SILVER’ |\n| 20 | Reverse | R3 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a kangaroo; and(b) the following:(i) ‘KANGAROO SERIES’;(ii) ‘1oz .999 Ag’;(iii) ‘20TH ANNIVERSARY’;(iv) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘HH’ |\n| 21 | Reverse | R4 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a kangaroo; and(b) the following:(i) ‘KANGAROO SERIES’;(ii) ‘1oz .9999 Au’;(iii) ‘20TH ANNIVERSARY’;(iv) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘HH’ |\n| 22 | Reverse | R5 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a person on a surfboard, surrounded by a stylised representation of waves; and(b) a representation of a bird; and(c) the following:(i) ‘FIFTY YEARS OF SURFING AUSTRALIA’;(ii) ‘50’;(iii) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 23 | Reverse | R6 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of a mountainous landscape, filled in by an ornamental design comprising of diagonal lines; and(b) a stylised representation of a hilly landscape; and(c) a stylised representation of a car on a road; and(d) the following:(i) ‘BATHURST ENDURANCE RACE’;(ii) ‘50’;(iii) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘DN’ |\n| 24 | Reverse | R7 | A design consisting of:(a) a central circle containing a representation of a snake; and(b) surrounding the central circle, the following:(i) a representation of a flame;(ii) a representation of the Chinese character pronounced ‘shé’ and meaning ‘snake’;(iii) four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame;(iv) ‘2013’;(v) ‘YEAR OF THE SNAKE’ |\n| 25 | Reverse | R8 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of a portion of a bucket wheel excavator; and(b) a stylised representation of a person; and(c) the following:(i) ‘AUSTRALIAN MINING’;(ii) ‘20’;(iii) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 26 | Reverse | R9 | A design consisting of:(a) representation of a prospector panning for gold; and(b) a representation of a river bank; and(c) a representation of rocks; and(d) the following:(i) ‘DISCOVERY OF GOLD’;(ii) ‘1 DOLLAR’;(iii) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 27 | Reverse | R10 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured representation of a platypus in water; and(b) the following:(i) the number ‘20’ in blue colour;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘SD’ |\n| 28 | Reverse | R11 | A design consisting of:(a) a partially gold plated representation of a platypus in water; and(b) the following:(i) ‘20’;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘SD’ |\n| 29 | Reverse | R12 | A design consisting of:(a) a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the outer rim; and(b) a central circle enclosing the following:(i) a circle of raised beads;(ii) a representation of a crown;(iii) ‘NEW SOUTH WALES’;(iv) ‘1813’; and(c) in the background and partially covered by the central circle:(i) a representation of a ribbon spiralling two pillars;(ii) a representation of a crown;(iii) a representation of a shield; and(d) a representation of a festoon; and(e) the following:(i) ‘. HISPAN . ET IND . REX .’;(ii) a circle directly above the letter ‘M’;(iii) ‘.8R.T.H.’;(iv) ‘C’ |\n| 30 | Reverse | R13 | A design consisting of:(a) a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the rim; and(b) a central circle enclosing the following:(i) a circle of raised beads;(ii) a representation of a crown;(iii) ‘NEW SOUTH WALES’;(iv) ‘1813’; and(c) in the background and partially covered by the central circle:(i) a representation of a ribbon spiralling two pillars;(ii) a representation of a crown;(iii) a representation of a shield; and(d) a representation of a festoon; and(e) the following:(i) ‘. HISPAN . ET IND . REX .’;(ii) a circle directly above the letter ‘M’;(iii) ‘.8R.T.H.’;(iv) ‘C’;(v) ‘1/10oz .9999 Au’ |\n| 31 | Reverse | R14 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘B’ enclosed by a square |\n| 32 | Reverse | R15 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘S’ enclosed by a square |\n| 33 | Reverse | R16 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘M’ enclosed by a square |\n| 34 | Reverse | R17 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘B’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 35 | Reverse | R18 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘S’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 36 | Reverse | R19 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘M’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 37 | Reverse | R20 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘P’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 38 | Reverse | R21 | As for item 29, replacing the reference in subparagraph (e) (iv) to the letter ‘C’ with the letter ‘A’ enclosed by a circle |\n| 39 | Reverse | R22 | A design consisting of:(a) in the upper sector, a representation of each of the following landmarks:(i) Questacon;(ii) the High Court of Australia;(iii) the National Carillon;(iv) the National Museum of Australia;(v) the Australian Parliament House;superimposed on a representation of Black Mountain Tower and surrounds, which is in turn superimposed on a representation of a semicircle; and(b) a horizontal line; and(c) the inscription ‘CENTENARY OF CANBERRA’ and a representation of its distorted reflection; and(d) in the lower sector:(i) an inverted representation of a mountainous landscape;(ii) an inverted representation of vegetation;superimposed on a distorted representation of a semicircle; and(e) the following:(i) ‘1913 ‑ 2013’;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 40 | Reverse | R23 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of a partial map of Canberra, superimposed on a circle; and(b) the following:(i) ‘CENTENARY OF CANBERRA’;(ii) ‘1913 ‑ 2013’;(iii) ‘20’;(iv) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 41 | Reverse | R24 | An annular design consisting of:(a) a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the outer rim; and(b) a central circle enclosing the following:(i) ‘ONE DOLLAR’;(ii) a representation of a festoon;(iii) a circle of raised beads around the inner rim;(c) in the background, partially covered by the central circle and partially punched out:(i) a representation of a ribbon spiralling two pillars;(ii) a representation of a crown;(iii) a representation of a shield; and(d) the following:(i) ‘. HISPAN . ET IND . REX .’;(ii) a circle directly above the letter ‘M’;(iii) ‘.8R.T.H.’ |\n| 42 | Reverse | R25 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of a crown; and(b) a circle of raised beads, immediately inside the rim, enclosing the inscriptions:(i) ‘NEW SOUTH WALES’;(ii) ‘1813’ |\n| 43 | Reverse | R26 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of a penguin positioned over rocks; and(b) an artist’s impression of a penguin positioned over a rock; and(c) an artist’s impression of water; and(d) the following:(i) ‘1 DOLLAR’;(ii) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘AB’ |\n| 44 | Reverse | R27 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of a polar bear; and(b) a coloured image of a glacial landscape positioned above an artist’s impression of the horizon; and(c) 2 coloured images of water containing ice; and(d) an artist’s impression of an iceberg and water; and(e) the following:(i) ‘1 DOLLAR’;(ii) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘AB’ |\n| 45 | Reverse | R28 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of a crocodile superimposed on four clusters of centric circles; and(b) the following:(i) ‘SALTWATER CROCODILE’;(ii) ‘1oz .999 Ag’;(iii) ‘BINDI ‑ ONE DOLLAR’;(iv) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘AB’ |\n| 46 | Reverse | R29 | A design consisting of:(a) in the background, an ornamental pattern consisting of four clusters of centric circles; and(b) in the foreground, and superimposed on a part of the ornamental pattern ‑ a coloured image of a crocodile; and(c) the following:(i) ‘SALTWATER CROCODILE’;(ii) ‘1oz .999 Ag’;(iii) ‘BINDI ‑ ONE DOLLAR’;(iv) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘AB’ |\n| 47 | Reverse | R30 | A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of a patch of grass; and(b) a coloured image of a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch; and(c) a representation of a hilly landscape with trees and foliage; and(d) a representation of leaves in silhouette; and(e) a representation of the contour of leaves; and(f) an artist’s impression of leaves; and(g) a stylised representation of the designer’s initials ‘AB’; and(h) a circular border containing the inscriptions:(i) ‘EASTERN GREY KANGAROO’;(ii) ‘1oz .999 Ag’ |\n| 48 | Reverse | R31 | A design consisting of:(a) a representation of a frilled lizard; and(b) a representation of soil; and(c) the following:(i) ‘1/2g .9999 Au’;(ii) the designer’s initials ‘AS’ |\n| 49 | Reverse | R32 | A design consisting of:(a) a stylised representation of Sydney Town Hall; and(b) a horizontal line; and(c) the following:(i) ‘SYDNEY TOWN HALL’;(ii) ‘FIVE DOLLARS’;(iii) the designer’s initials ‘AM’ |\n| 50 | Reverse | R33 | A design consisting of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘AUSTRALIAN DECIMAL CURRENCY EFFIGIES’; and(b) ‘MAKLOUF ‑ 1985’ |\n| 51 | Reverse | R34 | A design consisting of:(a) a central circle containing:(i) the words ‘REMEMBRANCE DAY’ repeated and presented in 11 rows;(ii) the words ‘LEST WE FORGET’ in inverse order, repeated and presented in 11 rows; and(b) superimposed on that text, a design consisting of a coloured representation of a red poppy flower; and(c) a representation of a poppy flower; and(d) the letter ‘C’ superimposed on a representation of a poppy flower; and(e) the following:(i) ‘TWO DOLLARS’;(ii) ‘REMEMBRANCE’ |","sortOrder":5}],"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Determination stays within the original administrative purpose under the Currency Act: to set the physical specifications (weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design) for coins. It does not broaden the Act’s substantive scope or create new regulatory powers; it updates and records particulars (designs, tolerances and bullion content) for a set of coins. Any change from prior determinations would be an updating of specifications rather than an expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single substantive operative provision (section 4) but relies on a long technical Schedule (Part 1) listing many coin items","Part 1 contains around 37 numbered coin items (each with composition, weight tolerance, diameter, thickness, and design codes)","Part 2 contains 51 symbol definitions (S#, E#, O#, R#) decoding shape, edge, obverse and reverse designs","Cross-reference to Currency Act 1965 (subsection 13A(1)) so effect depends on external statute","Multiple numeric tolerances and mixed units (grams, mm) requiring precise compliance","Use of coded references (e.g. O11, R22) forces users to cross-check between Parts 1 and 2","Some design descriptions are detailed and layered (e.g. annular designs, partial gold plating, coloured images), increasing interpretation complexity for production and authentication"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- This Determination tells the Royal Australian Mint and the public the exact physical specifications for a set of coins (weight, permitted weight variation, diameter, thickness, shape, edge type and the obverse/reverse designs) that are to be treated as coins under the Currency Act 1965. (See section 4(1).)\n\n- The specifications are listed in Part 1 (a table of items that match a denomination and a standard composition) and the shorthand design codes (for shape, edge, obverse and reverse) used in that table are explained in Part 2.\n\n- It takes effect the day after registration (section 2).\n\nWho it affects\n\n- The Royal Australian Mint: must produce coins that meet these specifications.\n- Banks, cash-handling businesses, retailers, collectors, refineries and assay offices: they use these specifications to identify genuine legal-tender coins, to sort and authenticate coins, and to value precious‑metal issues.\n- Law enforcement and customs: use the specifications to detect counterfeits and to enforce currency rules.\n\nWhy it matters (practical consequences)\n\n- Legal definition: by specifying weight, dimensions and design the Determination fixes what counts as the authorised physical form of particular coins under the Currency Act (so the public and officials have a single, authoritative reference). (See section 4(1).)\n- Authentication and and anti‑counterfeit metrics: mills, edges, weights and detailed design elements are the technical standards used in authentication, sorting machines and assays.\n- Market effects for precious‑metal issues: for coins with gold or silver composition the Determination fixes the fineness and bullion content that collectors and dealers rely on to value the coin (e.g. \"1/10oz .9999 Au\", \"1 OUNCE FINE SILVER\" in various reverse designs listed in Part 2).\n\nHow it works (mechanics and shorthand)\n\n- Part 1: Each listed item names a denomination and composition and then records: standard weight (and allowable variation, in grams), maximum diameter (mm), maximum thickness (mm), a shape code (S1, S2), an edge code (E1, E2, E3) and an obverse/reverse code (O1–O12 and R1–R34). These codes point to detailed written descriptions in Part 2. (See section 4(1) and Parts 1–2.)\n- Part 2: Decodes the shorthand. For example, S1 = circular; E1 = continuously milled; O1 = a specified effigy/inscription of Queen Elizabeth II; R1 = a kangaroo design plus inscriptions including bullion weight and fineness. Many reverse codes specify commemorative themes or bullion content.\n\nStated purpose and operational testing\n\n- The Determination is an administrative instrument: its stated purpose is to set the legal physical standards for particular coins under the Currency Act (section 4(1)). That purpose is narrow and technical. The main operational trade‑offs and implementation issues are:\n - Production cost vs specification precision: tighter weight or dimensional tolerances raise minting and quality‑control costs; looser tolerances reduce production costs but make authentication harder. The table explicitly records tolerances (e.g. \"3.11 + 0.09\" grams, \"15.55 ± 0.40\" grams), so the instrument balances those factors in concrete numbers (Part 1).\n - Administrative clarity vs schedule length: using coded design references (O# and R#) keeps the table compact, but requires users to cross‑check Part 2. That is an operational overhead but a standard drafting technique for technical schedules.\n - Effect on private markets: for bullion and commemorative coins the Determination fixes what collectors and bullion traders can accurately value and trade; it does not set prices or issuance volumes.\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what changes behaviour\n\n- Who pays: primary production and design costs fall on the Mint and ultimately the Commonwealth (or on third‑party purchasers if coins are struck to order). Secondary market participants (collectors, dealers) pay premiums or transaction costs based on the coin’s stated metal content and design.\n- Who decides: the Determination, operating under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965, is the legal instrument that fixes the specifications; the Mint implements them. Section 3 defines the Act for the Determination.\n- Behaviour changes: the Mint must strike to these specifications; banks and cash‑handling businesses and authentication services will apply these standards when accepting, sorting or valuing coins. Collectors and dealers will reference the schedule when verifying fineness and weight.\n\nImplementation risk, compliance burden and discretion\n\n- Implementation risk is low: the instrument is a technical specification. The Mint already routinely follows such determinations. The main compliance burden is for organisations that authenticate or sort coins (they need to reference the schedule and update any machine parameters where a new diameter, thickness or edge type applies).\n- Bureaucratic discretion is limited: the Determination sets fixed numbers and written design descriptions rather than delegating open‑ended powers.\n\nConcentrated benefits, diffuse costs and substitution effects (where supported by the instrument)\n\n- Concentrated benefits: designers and vendors of commemorative and bullion coins benefit from being able to market coins with specified bullion content and unique designs (explicit in Part 2 reverse descriptions such as R1–R4, R22 etc.).\n- Diffuse costs: small administrative updating costs for banks and coin‑handling businesses; minting costs borne by the Mint/Commonwealth.\n- Substitution effects: none mandated. The Determination does not remove or substitute legal tender statuses generally; it only sets the physical specifications for the listed items.\n\nKey citations\n\n- Section 3: defines that \"Act\" means the Currency Act 1965.\n- Section 4(1): the operative provision tying the Schedule to subsection 13A(1) of the Act (specifying standard weight, allowable variation, dimensions and design).\n- Part 1: the table of coin specifications.\n- Part 2: the explanation of symbols for shape, edge, obverse and reverse.\n\nBottom line: this is an administrative technical instrument that fixes the exact physical and design specifications for a list of coins (including bullion and commemorative issues). It provides the authoritative reference used by the Mint, cash handlers, collectors and enforcement agencies to identify and value those coins (see section 4(1), Parts 1–2)."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2016},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying coin standards under the Currency Act 1965. It has not expanded beyond technical specifications into broader policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["37 distinct coin specifications requiring cross-referencing between the table in Part 1 and the symbol definitions in Part 2","51 defined design symbols (S1, S2, E1–E3, O1–O12, R1–R34) that act as shorthand for complex visual elements","High technical precision in measurements (e.g., weight variations specified as '3.11 + 0.09' grams or '31.103+3.00' grams)","Lengthy, intricate design descriptions for commemorative coins (e.g., Item 39 describes multiple Canberra landmarks superimposed on each other in specific sectors)","Simple legislative structure (one operative section) but dense tabular data requiring careful parsing","Only one statutory cross-reference (to the Currency Act 1965), keeping the legal framework straightforward"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument is the technical blueprint for 37 Australian coins authorised in 2012–2013, prescribing each coin’s metal composition, exact weight, diameter and thickness, and its design codes. It binds the Royal Australian Mint to precise production standards and so affects collectors, dealers and users of those commemorative coins. It matters because it creates a legal, tamper-resistant standard for authenticity, vending/banking compatibility and collector certainty."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2012-no-3/documents"}}