{"id":"F2017L00459","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 2) 2017","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439171,"registerId":"F2017L00459-fast-fetch-1775955287413","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 2) 2017","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. 2) 2017\n\nI, Michael McCormack, Minister for Small Business, make the following determination.\n\nDated 18 April 2017\n\nMichael McCormack\n\nMinister for Small Business\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\n\n2 Symbols used in Part 1\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. 2) 2017.\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) 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 (4) 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 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R1\n- 2 50c At least 99.9% silver 18.24 ± 1.00 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R1\n- 3 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R2\n- 4 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R3\n- 5 $2 Copper, aluminium and nickel 6.60 ± 0.60 20.62 3.70 S2 E2 O1 R4\n- 6 $2 Copper, aluminium and nickel 6.60 ± 0.60 20.62 3.70 S2 E2 O1 R5\n- 7 $2 Copper, aluminium and nickel 6.60 ± 0.60 20.62 3.70 S2 E2 O1 R6\n- 8 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E2 O1 R7\n- 9 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E2 O1 R8\n- 10 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E2 O1 R9\n- 11 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E2 O1 R10\n- 12 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R11\n- 13 50c Copper and nickel 15.55 ± 0.96 31.65 3.16 S1 E1 O1 R12\n- 14 $1 At least 99.9% silver 11.66 ± 0.30 25.20 3.25 S2 E2 O2 R13\n- 15 $30 At least 99.9% silver 1000 + 9.50 100.90 14.50 S2 E3 O2 R14\n- 16 $1 At least 99.9% silver 31.103 + 3.00 40.50 4.00 S2 E3 O2 R15\n- 17 $1 Copper, aluminium and nickel 9.00 ± 0.66 25.12 3.46 S2 E2 O2 R13\n- 18 $10 At least 99.99% gold 3.11 + 0.09 17.65 1.65 S2 E3 O2 R13\n- 19 $10 At least 99.9% silver 155.51 + 3.00 65.50 6.00 S2 E3 O2 R16\n- 20 $1 At least 99.9% silver 31.103 + 3.00 40.50 3.80 S2 E3 O1 R17\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 Dodecagonal\n- 2 Shape S2 Circular\n- 3 Edge E1 Plain\n- 4 Edge E2 Interrupted milling\n- 5 Edge E3 Continuously milled\n- 6 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- 7 Reverse O2 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) Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars, of the denomination of the coin, followed by “DOLLAR” or “DOLLARS” as the case requires;(e) “IRB”;(f) 2 dots.\n- 8 Reverse R1 A design consisting of:\n\n1. an effigy of Eddie Koiki Mabo; and\n2. the Torres Strait Islander flag superimposed on an ornate ribbon; and\n3. the Australian Aboriginal flag superimposed on an ornate ribbon; and\n4. a representation of 3 fanned pamphlets wherein:\n 1. one pamphlet is positioned on top of the other pamphlets and contains the words “RIGHT”, “WRONGS”, “WRITE”, “YES”, “for”, “ABORIGINES!”; and\n 2. each remaining pamphlet is partially obscured and contains the word “ABORIGINES!”; and\n5. in the background, a circle; and\n6. the following:\n 1. “50”;\n 2. “1992 MABO – 25 YEARS”;\n 3. “1967 REFERENDUM – 50 YEARS”.\n- 9 Reverse R2 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a representation of a tank and digging tools in a barren landscape of dirt and mud; and\n2. a representation of 2 soldiers standing in front of that tank; and\n3. a representation of a soldier standing behind that tank; and\n4. a representation of clouds and 7 birds in flight; and\n5. the following:\n 1. “50”;\n 2. “AMIENS”;\n 3. “1918”.\n- 10 Reverse R3 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a representation of a hilly, barren landscape; and\n2. a representation of a soldier kneeling inside a trench, a soldier sitting above that trench and 2 soldiers standing inside that trench, next to their equipment and a machine gun; and\n3. the following:\n 1. “50”;\n 2. “VILLERS – BRETONNEUX”;\n 3. “HILL 104”;\n 4. “1918”;\n 5. a stylised representation of the designer’s initials “EJL”.\n- 11 Reverse R4 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the centre, a cartoon representation of a possum, the Hush character from the book “Possum Magic”, wherein the possum is transparent and is handing by its tail from a gum tree branch; and\n2. stylised representations of multi-coloured irregular star shapes superimposed on 3 concentric circles; and\n3. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “TWO DOLLARS”.\n- 12 Reverse R5 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the centre, a cartoon representation of a possum, the Hush character from the book “Possum Magic”, wherein the possum is partially transparent and is holding a partially eaten sandwich; and\n2. stylised representations of multi-coloured irregular star shapes superimposed on 3 concentric circles; and\n3. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “TWO DOLLARS”.\n- 13 Reverse R6 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the centre, a cartoon representation of a possum, the Hush character from the book “Possum Magic”, wherein the possum is smiling, looking up and dancing with its front limbs extended; and\n2. stylised representations of multi-coloured irregular star shapes superimposed on 3 concentric circles; and\n3. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “TWO DOLLARS”.\n- 14 Reverse R7 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a cartoon representation of the following possum characters from the book “Possum Magic”, positioned over a branch extending across the coin horizontally:\n 1. Grandma Poss, wearing glasses, striped slippers and an apron with stars printed on it, extending its front limbs and emitting irregular star shapes and dust from its paws;\n 2. Hush, with its paws on its head, looking down;\n 3. Hush, with its paws on its head, looking down at its transparent tail;\n 4. Hush, with its head drawn in detail, holding its transparent front limbs in the air and looking down at its transparent trunk, back limbs and tail; and\n2. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “1 DOLLAR”.\n- 15 Reverse R8 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a cartoon representation of the possum characters, Grandma Poss and Hush from the book “Possum Magic” wherein:\n 1. Hush is transparent and is riding on the back of Grandma Poss; and\n 2. that Grandma Poss is wearing glasses, sport shoes and an apron with stars printed on it and is riding a bicycle with a flag at the rear of the bicycle, a parcel and toilet paper strapped to the back rack, and books and a map positioned in the front basket; and\n2. irregular star shapes; and\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “1 DOLLAR”.\n- 16 Reverse R9 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a cartoon representation of the following possum characters from the book “Possum Magic”, positioned on a large plate with lamingtons:\n 1. Grandma Poss, wearing glasses, sport shoes and an apron with stars printed on it;\n 2. Hush, with a transparent head, eating a piece of lamington; and\n2. representations of crumbs; and\n3. irregular star shapes; and\n4. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “1 DOLLAR”.\n- 17 Reverse R10 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a cartoon representation of the following characters from the book “Possum Magic”, positioned over a branch extending across the coin horizontally:\n 1. a kookaburra reaching for a sandwich with its beak;\n 2. a possum reaching for a sandwich with its left paw; and\n 3. Hush, a possum, eating a piece of lamington; and\n 4. Grandma Poss, a possum, wearing glasses, slippers and an apron with stars printed on it, holding a piece of pavlova in one paw and a plate with sandwiches, lamingtons and pavlova in the other paw; and\n 5. a possum offering a piece of lamington;\n 6. a possum with its front limbs crossed; and\n2. irregular star shapes; and\n3. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “1 DOLLAR”.\n- 18 Reverse R11 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a coloured cartoon representation of the following characters from the book “Possum Magic”, positioned over a branch extending across the coin horizontally:\n 1. a koala hanging on to that branch;\n 2. Grandma Poss, a possum, wearing glasses, slippers and an apron with stars printed on it, pouring multi-coloured irregular star shapes from its apron;\n 3. 2 possums looking down at the falling stars; and\n2. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “50”.\n- 19 Reverse R12 A design consisting of:\n\n1. a cartoon representation of the following characters from the book “Possum Magic”, positioned over a branch extending across the coin horizontally:\n 1. a koala hanging on to that branch;\n 2. Grandma Poss, a possum, wearing glasses, slippers and an apron with stars printed on it, pouring irregular star shapes from its apron;\n 3. 2 possums looking down at the falling stars; and\n2. the following:\n 1. “POSSUM MAGIC”;\n 2. “50”.\n- 20 Reverse R13 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the background, the silhouette of a tree; and\n2. in the foreground, a representation of a dog standing on rocks and facing right; and\n3. the Chinese character pronounced “gou” under the Pinyin system and meaning dog; and\n4. 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and\n5. the following:\n 1. “2018”;\n 2. “YEAR OF THE DOG”.\n- 21 Reverse R14 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the background, the silhouette of a tree; and\n2. in the foreground, a representation of a dog standing on rocks and facing right; and\n3. a representation of the Chinese character pronounced “gou” under the Pinyin system and meaning dog; and\n4. 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and\n5. the following:\n 1. “2018”;\n 2. “YEAR OF THE DOG”;\n 3. “1kg .999 Ag”.\n- 22 Reverse R15 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the background, the silhouette of a tree; and\n2. in the foreground, a representation of a dog standing on rocks and facing right; and\n3. a representation of the Chinese character pronounced “gou” under the Pinyin system and meaning dog; and\n4. 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and\n5. the following:\n 1. “2018”;\n 2. “YEAR OF THE DOG”;\n 3. “1oz .999 Ag”.\n- 23 Reverse R16 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the background, the silhouette of a tree; and\n2. in the foreground, a representation of a dog standing on rocks and facing right; and\n3. a representation of the Chinese character pronounced “gou” under the Pinyin system and meaning dog; and\n4. 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and\n5. the following:\n 1. “2018”;\n 2. “YEAR OF THE DOG”;\n 3. “5oz .999 Ag”.\n- 24 Reverse R17 A design consisting of:\n\n1. in the background, a representation of the sun setting in a flat landscape; and\n2. a representation of a gum tree framing the right and top areas of the coin; and\n3. positioned under that gum tree, a representation a kangaroo lying on the ground and facing left and a representation of a kangaroo standing; and\n4. the following:\n\n\n1. “ONE DOLLAR”;\n2. “1oz .999 Ag”.\n\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument operates exactly within its intended scope under the Currency Act 1965. It is a standard technical determination authorising specific coin specifications, which is the routine function of section 13 and 13A of that Act. There is no scope creep or expansion beyond the original legislative purpose of enabling the Royal Australian Mint to issue legal tender coins with defined characteristics."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward tabular structure with 20 coin specifications in Schedule 1, Part 1","Simple cross-referencing system using symbols (S1, S2, E1, E2, etc.) defined in Part 2","Only 1 defined term ('Act') in section 4","No nested exceptions or conditional logic - each coin specification is self-contained","Length is moderate but highly repetitive (standardised format for each coin entry)","Primary complexity comes from the detailed artistic descriptions of coin designs (e.g., 'Grandma Poss wearing glasses, striped slippers and an apron with stars printed on it') rather than legal complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument authorises the Royal Australian Mint to produce specified commemorative and collectible coins in 2017 and sets their exact legal specifications — metal composition, weight/tolerances, dimensions, shape, edge, and designs. \n\nIt covers themed issues such as Possum Magic, Mabo/1967 Referendum, World War I battles, the Chinese Year of the Dog, and a kangaroo silver dollar. Making the determination is required for these coins to be lawfully minted and 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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument amends the operation of the Currency Act by treating the denominations and standard compositions listed in Schedule 1 as if they were included in the Act’s Schedule (s.5(2)). It also prescribes the standard weight, allowable variation, design and dimensions for each listed coin (s.6(2)). The instrument expressly leaves other determinations unaffected (s.5(3), s.6(4))."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple coin entries with distinct combinations of denomination, metal composition and tolerances (Schedule 1 Part 1 table)","Precise numerical tolerances for weight, diameter and thickness that the Mint must meet (Schedule 1 Part 1)","Numerous distinct obverse/reverse design variants described by symbolic cross‑references (Parts 1–2 explaining O1–O2, R1–R17)","Inclusion of precious‑metal issues (specified purities and non‑standard weights) increasing specification detail (Schedule items 14–20)","Legal cross‑reference to the Currency Act (paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1)), so effects are implemented by altering the Act’s Schedule","Explicit non‑interference clauses limiting impact on other determinations (s.5(3) and s.6(4))"],"plain_english_summary":"This determination sets the exact denominations, metal compositions, weights, dimensions and official designs for a list of Royal Australian Mint coins and makes those specifications part of how the Currency Act operates (see ss.5–6 and Schedule 1). \n\nPractically, it requires the Mint to produce coins that meet those technical standards and creates legally binding physical specifications used for identification and circulation; it therefore affects the Mint, businesses and anyone handling Australian coins."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-2-2017/documents"}}