{"id":"F2018L00224","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 1) 2018","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439517,"registerId":"F2018L00224-fast-fetch-1775955514492","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 1) 2018","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![](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nCurrency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 1) 2018\n\nI, Michael Sukkar, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, make the following determination.\n\nDated 26 February 2018\n\nMichael Sukkar\n\nAssistant Minister to the Treasurer\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1 Name\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Authority\n\n4 Definitions\n\n5 Specification of denominations and standard compositions\n\n6 Standard weight, design and dimensions of coins\n\nSchedule 1—Standard composition, standard weight, design and dimensions of coins of specified denominations\n\nPart 1—Specifications of coins\n\n1 Specifications\n\nPart 2—Explanation of symbols 5\n\n2 Symbols used in Part 1....................................5\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n1  Name\n\n  This is the Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 1) 2018.\n\n2  Commencement\n\nThis instrument commences on the day after it is registered.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Currency Act 1965.\n\n5  Specification of denominations and standard compositions\n\n (1) This section is made for the purposes of paragraph 13(2)(b) of the Act.\n\n (2) The Act has effect, on and after the day on which this instrument commences, as if:\n\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\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\n (3) This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for the purposes of paragraph 13(2)(b) of the Act.\n\n6  Standard weight, design and dimensions of coins\n\n (1) This section is made for the purposes of subsection 13A(1) of the Act.\n\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 are specified in that item.\n\n (3) A reference in Part 1 of 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 the coin.\n\n(4)    A reference in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the maximum diameter or other dimension of a coin is, for a coin that is triangular with rounded corners, a reference to the perpendicular bisector of the coin.\n\n(5)   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\n (6)   This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for the purposes of subsection 13A(1) of the Act.             \n\n \n\nSchedule 1—Standard composition, standard weight, design and dimensions of coins of specified denominations\n\nNote: See sections 5 and 6.\n\nPart 1—Specifications of coins\n\n \n\n1  Specifications\n\n  Each item of the following table specifies the standard composition, the standard weight, the allowable variation from that standard weight, the design and the dimensions of a coin whose denomination and standard composition are specified in that item.\n\n \n\n- Specifications of coins\n- Item Denomination Standard composition Standard weight and allowable variation (g) Maximum diameter or other dimension (mm) Maximum thickness (mm) Shape Edge Obverse Reverse\n- 1 $5 At least 99.9% silver 23.23 ± 0.80 34.20 3.80 S1 E1 O1 R1\n- 2 $5 At least 99.9% silver 31.103 + 3.00 40.60 4.00 S2 E2 O1 R2\n- 3 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E3 O1 R3\n- 4 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R4\n- 5 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R5\n- 6 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R6\n- 7 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R7\n- 8 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R8\n- 9 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S3 E1 O1 R9\n- 10 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E3 O1 R10\n- 11 $5 At least 99.9% silver 31.103 + 3.00 40.50 8.30 S4 E1 O2 R11\n\n\nPart 2—Explanation of symbols\n\n \n\n2  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 \n\n- Explanation of symbols used in Part 1\n- Item Design feature Symbol Explanation\n- 1 Shape S1 Triangular with rounded corners\n- 2 Shape S2 Circular\n- 3 Shape S3 Dodecagonal\n- 4 Shape S4 Circular concave\n- 5 Edge E1 Plain\n- 6 Edge E2 Continuously milled\n- 7 Edge E3 Interrupted milling\n- 8 Obverse O1 A design consisting of an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the following:(a) ‘ELIZABETH II’;(b) ‘AUSTRALIA’;(c) the inscription, in Arabic numerals, of a year;(d) ‘IRB’.\n- 9 Obverse O2 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a central circle enclosing the following:\n\n\n1. an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II;\n2. ‘ELIZABETH II’;\n3. ‘AUSTRALIA’;\n4. ‘IRB’;\n5. ‘ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER’;\n6. 3 dots; and\n\n\n1. surrounding that central circle, the following:\n\n\n1. 8 curved stripes arranged in an irregular pattern;\n2. 3 stars;\n3. stylised representations of 8 planets;\n4. dots; and(c) a series of curved lines, repeated and placed at quarter intervals around the coin.\n- 10 Reverse R1 A triangular design consisting of:\n\n1. a coloured representation of a stained-glass window, featuring a representation of yellow sun rays and blue and grey sky; and\n2. in the centre, and superimposed on that coloured stained-glass window, a semicircular border and a semicircle; and\n3. below that semicircle, a representation of a stained-glass window; and\n4. in the foreground, a representation of the following:\n 1. an Australian Army cap positioned in front of 2 crossed swords;\n 2. an Australian Navy cap positioned on an anchor and rope;\n 3. an Australian Airforce cap, with goggles, positioned in front of an airplane engine cowling and propeller; and\n5. the following:\n 1. ‘5 DOLLARS’;\n 2. the designer’s initials ‘AS’.\n- 11 Reverse R2 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a representation of Sir John Monash; and\n2. the following:\n 1. ‘SIR JOHN MONASH’;\n 2. ‘1865 - 1931’;\n 3. ‘5 DOLLARS’;\n 4. ‘1 oz .999 Ag’;\n 5. the designer’s initials ‘AB’.\n- 12 Reverse R3 A design consisting of:(a) a representation of Sir John Monash; and(b) the following:\n\n1. ‘SIR JOHN MONASH’;\n2. ‘1865 - 1931’;\n3. ‘5 DOLLARS’;\n4. the designer’s initials ‘AB’.\n- 13 Reverse R4 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 1970 HT Monaro GTS 350 race car and driver; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘HT MONARO GTS 350’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘1970’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 14 Reverse R5 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 1972 LJ Torana XU-1 race car and driver; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘LJ TORANA XU-1’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘1972’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 15 Reverse R6 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 1979 LX Torana A9X race car and driver; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘LX TORANA A9X’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘1979’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 16 Reverse R7 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 1984 VK Commodore race car and driver; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘VK COMMODORE’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘1984’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 17 Reverse R8 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 1996 VR Commodore HRT race car and driver; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘VR COMMODORE’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘1996’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 18 Reverse R9 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured image of the 2001 VX Commodore HRT race car; and(b) on the right, 3 vertical stripes, fanning out horizontally across the bottom of the coin; and(c) in the foreground, the following:\n\n1. ‘HOLDEN’;\n2. the word ‘MOTORSPORT’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n3. ‘LEGEND’;\n4. the inscription ‘VX COMMODORE’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n5. the number ‘2001’ superimposed on a horizontal stripe;\n6. ‘50’.\n- 19 Reverse R10 A design consisting of:(a) a coloured cartoon representation the official mascot of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, a koala; and(b) on the right, Indigenous markings; and(c) a circle enclosing the following:\n\n1. ‘G’;\n2. an inverted letter ‘C’; and(d) the following:\n\n1. ‘XXI COMMONWEALTH GAMES’;\n2. ‘Gold Coast 2018’;\n3. ‘1 DOLLAR’.\n- 20 Reverse R11 A design consisting of:(a) in the centre, a coloured image of the Earth; and(b) surrounding that coloured image, the following:\n\n1. 4 concentric stripes;\n2. dots;\n3. stars; and(c) a representation a space station; and(d) 2 triangles, wherein each triangle contains the inscription ‘23.5’and(e) a circular border containing an ornamental striped pattern; and (f) the following:\n\n1. ‘2018 THE EARTH AND BEYOND – THE EARTH’;\n2. ‘FIVE DOLLARS’;\n3. ‘EXOSPHERE’;\n4. ‘THERMOSPHERE’;\n5. ‘MESOSPHERE’;\n6. ‘STRATOSPHERE’;\n7. ‘TROPOSPHERE’.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination stays within the ordinary statutory purpose of determinations under the Currency Act — specifying denominations, standard compositions, weights, dimensions and designs for coins. It does not expand the legislative scope beyond that delegated power; it supplies routine, detailed technical specifications (including commemorative designs) rather than creating new legal powers or obligations beyond the Act's existing framework (see s 5–6 and Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Single-purpose instrument (specifies coin standards) rather than novel legal regime","11 distinct coin items listed in Schedule 1 Part 1 (different denominations, weights and designs)","Part 2 defines 11 symbol categories (shapes, edges, obverse and multiple reverse designs) used by Part 1","Several non-standard geometric definitions (circular concave, triangular with rounded corners) with special measurement rules (s 6(3)–(4))","Multiple tolerances and non-uniform weight notations (e.g. ± values and a ‘+’ value in the table) requiring careful interpretation","Cross-reference to the Currency Act 1965 (s 5 and s 6 operate by treating Schedule entries as if inserted into the Act)","Textual (verbal) descriptions of complex pictorial designs (coloured images, multi-element compositions) that require non-legal technical interpretation for production quality control"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This determination, made under the Currency Act 1965 (see s 3), tells the Royal Australian Mint exactly which coins it may issue and what those coins must look and weigh like.  It does so by inserting a set of coin specifications into the Act (see s 5) and by declaring standard weights, allowable weight tolerances, designs, shapes, dimensions and edge types (see s 6 and Schedule 1).\n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- Royal Australian Mint: it must strike coins in accordance with the standards set out in this instrument (Schedule 1).\n- Banks, businesses and operators of coin-handling equipment (vending machines, parking meters, coin sorters): new shapes, sizes, thicknesses and edge profiles may require calibration or modification of machines to accept or reject the specified coins.\n- Collectors and buyers of commemorative coins: the instrument describes a number of commemorative designs (including metal content and weight) that are legal tender but commonly issued as collectible items.\n- Businesses that design, supply or repair coin-accepting machinery: may face demand to adapt equipment.\n\n**Key technical effects and how it works**\n\n- Denominations and compositions: The instrument specifies particular denominations and their standard metal compositions (for example, $5 coins of at least 99.9% silver; $1 coins of copper–aluminium–nickel; 50c coins of copper–nickel). These specifications are treated as if included in the Schedule to the Currency Act (s 5 and Schedule 1 Part 1).\n\n- Weight, tolerance and dimensions: For each listed coin the instrument gives a standard weight with allowable variation, a maximum diameter (or other controlling dimension) and maximum thickness. It also explains how to measure those dimensions for non‑circular coins (shortest diameter for concave coins; perpendicular bisector for triangular coins) (s 6(3)–(4) and Schedule 1 Part 1).\n\n- Shape and edge: The instrument defines shapes (e.g. circular; triangular with rounded corners; dodecagonal; circular concave) and edge types (plain; continuously milled; interrupted milling) and ties each coin to a shape and edge symbol in the Schedule (Schedule 1 Part 2).\n\n- Designs (obverse and reverse): The obverse (front) designs are specified, including the required effigy and inscriptions (for example, Queen Elizabeth II, AUSTRALIA and a year), and a number of reverse (back) designs are described in text form — some with colour, pictorial elements and inscriptions (examples: commemorative $5 silver coins with military motifs; vehicle/motorsport images on 50c coins; Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games $1 design) (Schedule 1 Part 2, items O1–O2 and R1–R11).\n\n- Legal effect: From commencement (the day after registration, s 2), the Currency Act operates as if these denominations and their standard compositions and dimensions were inserted in the Act's Schedule (s 5(2); s 6(2)).\n\n**Why it matters (practical consequences and trade-offs)**\n\n- Certainty for minting and legal tender status: The instrument gives the Mint explicit legal authority to issue coins meeting the stated physical and design standards. That reduces legal uncertainty about what counts as an official Australian coin (s 5–6, Schedule 1).\n\n- Machine compatibility costs: Non‑standard shapes (triangular with rounded corners, concave coins, large-diameter or thicker coins) and coloured or high-relief designs can require recalibration or replacement of coin‑accepting equipment (see Schedule 1 shape and dimension entries). Operators of vending machines, parking meters, coin sorters and other businesses that handle coins may need to adjust equipment.\n\n- Minting cost and pricing effects: Coins specified in precious metals (e.g. 99.9% silver $5 coins) impose higher metal and production costs. Such coins are commonly sold as commemoratives above face value; the instrument sets the legal tender form and metal standard but not the Mint's retail pricing.\n\n- Concentrated vs diffuse effects: Benefits from commemorative issues (design fees, designer royalties, collector sales) are concentrated among designers, the Mint and collectors; costs (machine recalibration, education for cash handlers) are diffuse across businesses that accept cash.\n\n- Administrative and implementation risk: Precise textual design descriptions (words, dots, stripes, inscriptions) create a need for careful quality control in production and for regulated checks that coins meet the specified dimensions and inscriptions.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Who decides: The Assistant Minister (by this determination) and the Royal Australian Mint (in production) decide coin designs and issuance within the specification set out here (see s 3, s 6, Schedule 1).\n- Who pays: The immediate production costs are borne by the Mint (and ultimately by the Mint's funding/revenue model); downstream costs (machine recalibration, staff training) are borne by businesses that accept, sort or process coins. Collectors typically pay above face value for precious‑metal commemorative coins.\n- Behaviour changes: The Mint will produce the listed coins; businesses that handle physical coins may need to check and adjust equipment; collectors and investors may purchase commemorative issues that have both face value and intrinsic metal value.\n\n**Relevant provisions to check**\n\n- Authority and legal basis: s 3 (made under Currency Act 1965) and s 5–6 (effect on the Act; specifications and measurement rules).\n- Full technical specifications and symbols: Schedule 1 (Part 1 specifications; Part 2 explanation of symbols).\n\n(Instrument commencement: the day after registration — see s 2.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination falls squarely within the original intent of the Currency Act 1965, which explicitly provides for the making of determinations specifying coin denominations, compositions, weights, designs and dimensions. The content is a routine exercise of established powers to authorise specific commemorative and circulating coin issues, without expanding beyond the statutory framework."},"complexity_factors":["Highly structured tabular format with cross-referenced symbols (S1-S4, E1-E3, O1-O2, R1-R11) requiring lookup in Part 2","Precise technical specifications including weight tolerances (e.g., '23.23 ± 0.80' grams) and dimensional measurements","Nested descriptive structure for coin designs with multiple levels of subparagraphs (a), (i), (ii), etc.","Conditional definitions for dimensional measurements depending on coin shape (circular concave vs triangular with rounded corners in sections 6(3)-(4))","47 separate data points across 11 coin specifications in Schedule 1","Extensive cross-referencing between sections 5-6 and Schedule 1"],"plain_english_summary":"Authorises the Royal Australian Mint to produce specific 2018 commemorative and circulating coins, detailing technical specifications (metal composition, weight tolerances, dimensions, shapes) and designs (obverse: Queen Elizabeth II; various commemorative reverses). Covers $5 silver, $1 and 50-cent issues commemorating military history, Sir John Monash, the Gold Coast Games, Holden motorsport and a space/Earth theme, making them legal tender under the Currency Act 1965."},"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-no-1-2018","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-1-2018/documents"}}