{"id":"F2016L01109","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2016 (No. 2)","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":129367,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2016L01109-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\n This is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination 2016 (No. 2).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 4 Definitions\n\n In this instrument:\n\n> Act means the Currency Act 1965.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Specification of denominations and standard compositions","content":"#### 5 Specification of denominations and standard compositions\n\n (1) This section is made for paragraph 13(2)(b) of the Act.\n (2) The Act has effect, on and after the day on which this instrument commences, as if:\n (a) there were included in the Schedule to the Act the references to denominations of money specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this instrument; and\n (b) there were specified in the Schedule to the Act opposite to each such denomination, as the standard composition of coins of that denomination, the standard composition specified for the denomination in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this instrument.\n (3) This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for paragraph 13(2)(b) of the Act.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard weight, design and dimensions of coins","content":"#### 6 Standard weight, design and dimensions of coins\n\n (1) This section is made for subsection 13A(1) of the Act.\n (2) On and after the day on which this instrument commences, each item of the table in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this instrument specifies the standard weight, the allowable variation from that standard weight, the design and the dimensions of the coin whose denomination and standard composition is specified in that item.\n (3) Each item of the table in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to this instrument explains a symbol used to describe the design of coins specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1.\n (4) This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for subsection 13A(1) of the Act.\n (5) A reference in Schedule 1 to the maximum diameter or other dimension of a coin is, for a coin that is circular concave, a reference to the shortest diameter of a coin.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Specifications of coins","content":"## Part 1—Specifications of coins","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Explanation of symbols","content":"## Part 2—Explanation of symbols","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Symbols used in Part 1","content":"#### 2 Symbols used in Part 1\n\n Each item of the following table contains an explanation of a symbol used in Part 1 of this Schedule to describe the shape, edge design, obverse design and reverse design of a coin.\n\n```html\n

Explanation of symbols used in Part 1

Item

Design Feature

Symbol

Explanation

1

Shape

S1

Circular

2

Shape

S2

Dodecagonal

3

Shape

S3

Circular concave

4

Edge

E1

Continuously milled

5

Edge

E2

Plain

6

Edge

E3

Interrupted milling

7

Obverse

O1

A design consisting of an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:

(a) “ELIZABETH II”;

(b) “AUSTRALIA”;

(c) the inscription, in numerals, of a year;

(d) “IRB”.

8

Obverse

O2

A design consisting of :

  1. an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the initials “IRB”; and
  2. the following:
  1. “ELIZABETH II”;
  2. “AUSTRALIA”;
  3. “500 DOLLARS”;
  4. 3 dots;

all enclosed by an ornamental border comprising stylised representations of wattle.

9

Reverse

R1

A design consisting of:

  1. a partially gold plated representation of the arms of the Commonwealth; and
  2. the following:
  1. “50”;
  2. the designer’s initials “SD”.

10

Reverse

R2

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a dark-brown semicircle;
    2. a semicircular orange stripe;
    3. a semicircular light-brown stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a black Holden 48-215 car; and
  4. a circular border; and
  5. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “48-215”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1948 – 1953”.

11

Reverse

R3

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a dark-green semicircle;
    2. a semicircular green stripe;
    3. a semicircular light-green stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a green Holden FJ car; and
  4. partially obscured by that car, a coloured representation of a man and a woman standing; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “FJ”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1953 – 1956”.

12

Reverse

R4

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a maroon semicircle;
    2. a semicircular pink stripe;
    3. a semicircular cream stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a red Holden FE car; and
  4. partially obscured by that car, a coloured representation of a man and a woman standing; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “FE”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1956 – 1958”.

13

Reverse

R5

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a light-brown semicircle;
    2. a semicircular aqua stripe;
    3. a semicircular off-white stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a green and ivory Holden FC car; and
  4. partially obscured by that car, a coloured representation of a man and a woman standing; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “FC”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1958 – 1960”.

14

Reverse

R6

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a red semicircle;
    2. a semicircular warm-grey stripe;
    3. a semicircular cool-grey stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a grey and white Holden FB car; and
  4. partially obscured by that car, a coloured representation of a man and a woman standing and holding a bouquet of flowers; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “FB”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1960 – 1961”.

15

Reverse

R7

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a dark-grey semicircle;
    2. a semicircular light-grey stripe;
    3. a semicircular yellow stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a silver and white Holden EH car; and
  4. a coloured representation of a woman standing next to that car; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “EH”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1963 – 1965”.

16

Reverse

R8

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a burnt-orange semicircle;
    2. a semicircular warm-yellow stripe;
    3. a semicircular light-yellow stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a yellow Holden HK Monaro GTS car; and
  4. positioned on that car, a coloured representation of a woman; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “Monaro”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1968 – 1969”.

17

Reverse

R9

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a brown semicircle;
    2. a semicircular golden stripe;
    3. a semicircular light-brown stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a bronze Holden HQ Kingswood car; and
  4. a circular border; and
  5. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “Kingswood”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1971 – 1974”.

18

Reverse

R10

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a dark-green semicircle;
    2. a semicircular orange stripe;
    3. a semicircular light-green stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a green Holden Torana GTR XU-1 car; and
  4. partially obscured by that car, a coloured representation of a man and a woman standing;
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “Torana”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1972 – 1974”.

19

Reverse

R11

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a green semicircle;
    2. a semicircular purple stripe;
    3. a semicircular magenta stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a green Holden HX Sandman car; and
  4. a coloured representation of a man sitting, leaning on that car and playing a guitar; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “SANDMAN”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1976 – 1977”.

20

Reverse

R12

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a coloured semicircular pattern, which is made up of the following:
    1. a red semicircle;
    2. a semicircular orange stripe;
    3. a semicircular yellow stripe; and
  2. in the lower sector, a series of horizontal lines; and
  3. in the foreground and partially obscuring the coloured semicircular pattern, a coloured representation of a red Holden VC Commodore car; and
  4. a coloured representation of two passengers positioned in that car; and
  5. a circular border; and
  6. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “COMMODORE”;
    3. “HOLDEN HERITAGE COLLECTION”;
    4. “1980 – 1981”.

21

Reverse

R13

A design consisting of:

  1. in the background, a representation of the J.A Holden and Co. building in Adelaide; and
  2. superimposed on a part of that building, a representation of a Holden 48-215 car; and
  3. a circular border; and
  4. in the foreground and partially obscuring that border, ornamental design elements incorporating a stylised representation of the 1948 Holden badge; and
  5. the following:
  1. “160 YEARS – HOLDEN HERITAGE”;
  2. “FIFTY CENTS”.

22

Reverse

R14

A design consisting of:

  1. in the upper sector, a representation of several soldiers wearing uniforms with some holding rifles and some holding bags, walking on a bank of soil along a body of water; and
  2. in the lower sector, an inverted stylised reflection of those soldiers and the bank of soil; and
  3. the following:
    1. “50”;
    2. “PASSCHENDAELE”;
    3. “1917”;
    4. a stylised representation of the designer’s initials “EJL”.

23

Reverse

R15

A design consisting of:

  1. a representation of 5 soldiers wearing uniforms including helmets, positioned in a trench wherein some of those soldiers are lying on stretchers, some are walking and one is leaning on a trench wall next to a sandbag and mortar shells; and
  2. a representation of wires attached to a post; and
  3. the following:
  1. “50”;
  2. “BULLECOURT”;
  3. “1917”;
  4. a stylised representation of the designer’s initials “EJL”.

24

Reverse

R16

A design, consisting of:

  1. a representation of a kangaroo and a joey in a landscape featuring grass and rolling plains; and
  2. representations of flowers and leaves; and
  3. the following:
  1. “ONE DOLLAR”;
  2. “1 oz .999 Ag”;
  3. the designer’s initials “SMS”.

25

Reverse

R17

A design, consisting of:

  1. a central circle containing a stylised representation of a part of the ceiling at the Australian War Memorial Hall of Remembrance; and
  2. surrounding that central circle, a pattern of yellow, green, blue and indigo coloured stripes, wherein the stripes are superimposed on 3 concentric circles; and
  3. a circle of raised beads; and
  4. 4 lunes containing varying representations of mosaic tiles; and
  5. positioned between those lunes, representations of mosaic tiles; and
  6. the following:
  1. “LEST WE FORGET”;
  2. “TWO DOLLARS”;
  3. the designer’s initials “TD”.

26

Reverse

R18

A design consisting of:

(a) a central circle containing a coloured representation of a star chart including the following:

  1. a stylised representation of a field of stars;
  2. 3 right ascension lines and 3 declination lines; and

(b) superimposed on the star chart, a stylised representation of the constellation Cygnus; and

(c) a stylised representation of a canyon superimposed on a line drawing of a hilly terrain; and

(d) surrounding the central circle, an ornamental border; and

(e) the following:

  1. “21h”;
  2. “20h”;
  3. “19h”;
  4. “+50°”;
  5. “+40°”;
  6. “+30°”;
  7. “NORTHERN SKY – CYGNUS”;

(viii) “FIVE DOLLARS”

27

Reverse

R19

A design, consisting of:

  1. a representation of a wreath, tied in the centre by a ribbon; and
  2. a stylised representation of St Edward’s Crown; and
  3. following:
  1. “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT”;
  2. “AUSTRALIA”;
  3. “ONE DOLLAR”;
  1. a circle of raised beads immediately inside the rim.

28

Reverse

R20

A design consisting of:

  1. in the background, an outline of a stylised map of Australia; and
  2. in the foreground and partially obscuring that map, a representation of each of the following:
    1. a kookaburra perched on a branch;
    2. a female kangaroo with a joey in her pouch;
    3. a koala clinging to a tree branch;
    4. an emu; and
  3. the following:
  1. “AUSTRALIAN FABULOUS FOUR”;
  2. “5 oz .9999 Au”;
  3. “2016”
\n```","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Determination stays within the Currency Act's established purpose of specifying denominations, compositions and the physical/design attributes of coins. It does not expand the statutory functions of the Act; rather it adds particular coin specifications (including commemorative and precious-metal/bullion items) to the body of prescribed coin standards. In practical terms it broadens the range of coin designs and bullion issues authorised for the Mint, but that is an expected use of the Act's delegated power rather than a change of scope beyond the Act's original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Lengthy Schedule specifying 20 distinct coin items with multiple fields per item (denomination, composition, weight, tolerance, diameter, thickness, shape, edge, obverse, reverse).","Part 2 contains ~44 symbol explanations and long, nested descriptive lists for each reverse design (R1–R20) and obverse variants.","Numeric tolerances and dimensions for each coin introduce precision and operational requirements (e.g. 15.55 ± 0.96 g).","Cross-reference to multiple provisions of the Currency Act (paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1)).","Multiple coin types include special features (concave shape, partial plating, coloured elements, precious-metal fineness) that increase technical complexity.","Conditional clarifications (e.g. how diameter is measured for circular concave coins) and express savings clauses (sections 5(3) and 6(4) preserving other determinations).","Nested lists and embedded textual elements in the design descriptions (lists within lists for colours, inscriptions and designer initials), which complicate exact interpretation.","Mixture of circulating denominations and high-value bullion/collector coins within one instrument (different practical treatment and markets)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- It tells the law exactly which coins the Royal Australian Mint may make and sets the technical rules for those coins. Specifically, the Determination operates under the Currency Act 1965 (paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1)) and makes the Act \"have effect\" as if the listed denominations and their standard compositions (metals) were included in the Act's Schedule (see section 5). It also specifies the standard weight, allowable variation, design elements and physical dimensions of each listed coin (see section 6).\n\n- The rules are supplied as two parts:\n - Part 1 (the table of specifications) lists each coin item-by-item: denomination, metal composition, standard weight and allowable variation (in grams), maximum diameter, maximum thickness, shape code, edge code, obverse code and reverse code. Examples include multiple 50-cent designs (in silver and in copper-nickel), $1 and $2 circulating/commemorative types, $5 and $500 precious-metal coins, and bullion/collector issues.\n - Part 2 explains the short symbols used in Part 1 (for shape, edge, obverse and reverse). It expands each shorthand (for example, S1 = circular, S2 = dodecagonal, E1 = continuously milled, O1/O2 describe the Queen's effigy variants, and R1–R20 describe detailed reverse designs).\n\n- The instrument does not repeal or change other determinations made under the same provisions of the Currency Act (it expressly preserves other determinations).\n\n\nWho it affects\n\n- The Royal Australian Mint: it sets the legally recognised specifications the Mint must follow when producing these coins.\n- The Commonwealth (Treasury / Mint policy teams): responsible for commissioning, selling or distributing the coins and for meeting any cost and stock management consequences.\n- Banks, cash-handling businesses, retailers and payment processors: they need to recognise, accept and handle coins that meet these specifications when they are legal tender.\n- Collectors and bullion purchasers: several items are precious-metal (silver, gold) or commemorative issues; these buyers are directly affected by metal content and design specifications.\n- Metal suppliers and manufacturers: the composition and tolerances determine sourcing and production processes.\n\n\nWhy it matters (practical effects and how it works in use)\n\n- Legal status and uniformity: by specifying denominations/compositions/weights/dimensions in a determination made under the Currency Act, the instrument creates a single, authoritative technical standard for those coins. That standard governs what counts as a lawful Royal Australian Mint coin of each listed denomination.\n\n- Production and quality control: the Mint must make coins within the stated tolerances and with the stated designs. Manufacturers and quality-control laboratories use the numeric tolerances and size/shape rules in Part 1 when testing coin batches.\n\n- Market and fiscal effects: some listed coins are made from precious metals (99.9% silver, 99.99% gold) and include high-face-value bullion pieces (for example, a $500 gold coin). Where metal content or market gold/silver prices approach or exceed face value, coins will usually trade as bullion or collector items rather than circulate as everyday money; that can affect demand, sale pricing (premiums), and whether coins are melted or hoarded.\n\n- Business and operational impacts: businesses that handle cash must be able to identify and process the coins specified (shape, edge, obverse/reverse markings). Coin-operated machines, vending and sorting equipment may require adjustments to accept new shapes (e.g. dodecagonal coins), sizes or edge types.\n\n\nOfficial purpose-claims and a short test against costs and incentives\n\n- The Determination's formal legal purpose is to add the listed coin specifications to the Schedule of the Currency Act so those coins may be lawfully produced by the Mint. Practically, that gives the Mint authority to produce commemorative and bullion issues with particular designs and compositions (see sections 5 and 6, and Part 1/Part 2).\n\n- Costs and incentives arising from those choices:\n - Who pays: minting and distribution costs are borne by the Mint/Commonwealth; precious-metal coins are typically sold to collectors/buyers at a price that reflects metal and production cost (so private buyers carry much of the metal-price risk). Businesses accepting coins as cash face minimal direct cost, but coin production and distribution impose budgetary and logistical costs on the Mint.\n - Melt-value risk: coins with high precious-metal content can have intrinsic (metal) value close to or above face value. That creates incentives for hoarding or melting, or for the Mint to sell them primarily as bullion/collector pieces rather than for circulation. The Determination does not itself set sale price or release policy — it sets technical parameters that make such market behaviour possible.\n - Operational cost to private sector: vending, sorting and cash-handling systems may need calibration for new diameters, thicknesses, shapes and edge types.\n - Intellectual property / licensing and design capture: the schedule contains detailed representations and sometimes brand references (for example, a series of \"Holden Heritage\" designs). The Determination requires the Mint to reproduce those designs; any licensing or permission costs are an implementation issue outside the Determination but triggered by its inclusion of branded imagery.\n\n\nTrade-offs, implementation risk and compliance burden\n\n- Trade-offs: setting precise technical standards reduces ambiguity and counterfeit risk but means the Mint (and its suppliers) must meet narrow tolerances — which can raise production costs. Adding bullion/commemorative coins expands revenue possibilities for the Mint but increases exposure to volatile metal markets.\n\n- Implementation risk: the Mint must control weight/diameter/thickness within the defined tolerances. Coin designs requiring colour, plating or partial gold plating (some reverses) or concave shapes increase production complexity.\n\n- Compliance burden: largely operational for the Mint and for cash-handling industries; the general public has little extra burden except recognising collectible/bullion coins versus regular circulating coins.\n\n\nConcrete mechanism in the law (where to look)\n\n- Section 5: makes the Act \"have effect\" as if the denominations and compositions in Part 1 were included in the Act's Schedule.\n- Section 6: makes the Act \"have effect\" as if the weights, allowable variances, designs and dimensions in Part 1 (with symbol explanations in Part 2) were included in the Act's Schedule.\n\n\nBottom line (short)\n\nThis Determination gives the Royal Australian Mint formal, legally‑recognised specifications for a list of coins (including circulating denominations, commemorative 50-cent and $1/$2 designs, and precious-metal bullion coins). It tells the Mint what metal, weight, size, edge and design each listed coin must have and explains the shorthand used to describe those features. The main practical effects are operational for the Mint, consequential supply/acceptance implications for banks and cash-handlers, and market/price effects for collectors and bullion purchasers.\n"},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":576},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument remains tightly focused on its original purpose: authorising specific commemorative coin issues for 2016. The scope includes both circulation and non-circulation coins, which is standard for Royal Australian Mint determinations. No significant scope creep beyond standard numismatic authorisation."},"complexity_factors":["20 separate coin specifications with unique technical requirements","Extensive cross-referencing between Part 1 (specifications table) and Part 2 (symbol definitions)","Multiple nested lists in design descriptions (up to 4 levels deep in some reverse designs)","Precious metal purity requirements expressed as percentages (99.9% silver, 99.99% gold)","Weight tolerances expressed as ± values requiring careful interpretation","Specialised numismatic terminology (obverse, reverse, dodecagonal, concave, interrupted milling)","Colour specifications for commemorative designs requiring precise manufacturing"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument authorises the Royal Australian Mint to produce 20 commemorative and collectible coins in 2016, specifying their technical standards, denominations (50c–$500), and whether they are circulation-style or precious‑metal bullion.\n\nIt affects the Mint, collectors and investors, and anyone who might receive circulation issues; it matters because without this legal authorisation those designs couldn’t be lawfully produced or recognised as official Australian currency."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-2016-no-2/documents"}}