{"id":"F2016L01605","name":"Currency (Royal Australian Mint) Determination (No. 4) 2016","slug":"currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":95278,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2016L01605-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","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 (No. 4) 2016.","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 For paragraph 13(2)(a) of the Act, the Act has effect, on and after the day on which this instrument commences, as if the reference in the Schedule to the Act, opposite to the denomination of a coin specified in the following table, to the standard composition of coins of that denomination included a reference to the standard composition specified in the table below:\n\n| Denomination of coin | Standard composition |\n| -------------------- | -------------------------- |\n| 25c | Aluminium, zinc and bronze |\n| 25c | Copper plated steel |\n\n The standard compositions mentioned in subsection (1) for a denomination are taken to be specified in the Schedule to the Act in addition to any other standard composition or compositions that are, or are taken to be, specified in the Schedule for that denomination immediately before the day on which this Denomination commences.\n For paragraph 13(2)(b) of the Act, 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 (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 (4) The determination of the standard composition of a coin under subsection (3) is in addition to the determination of the standard composition of coins under subsection (1).\n (5) This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for the purposes of 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 the purposes of 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 are specified in that item.\n (3) A reference in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the maximum diameter or other dimension of a coin that is circular concave is a reference to the shortest diameter of the coin.\n (4) 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 (5) This section does not affect any other provision of a determination made for the purposes of subsection 13A(1) of the Act.","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 Arabic numerals, of a year;

(d) “IRB”

8

Obverse

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

9

Obverse

O3

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) “RDM”.

10

Obverse

O4

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) “1 DOLLAR”;

(e) “1/2oz 999 SILVER”’

(f) 4 dots.

11

Reverse

R1

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Victoria Cross for Australia military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “25”;

(ii) “VICTORIA CROSS”.

12

Reverse

R2

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the George Cross military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “25”;

(ii) “GEORGE CROSS”.

13

Reverse

R3

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Star of Gallantry military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “STAR OF GALLANTRY”.

14

Reverse

R4

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Distinguished Service Cross military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS”.

15

Reverse

R5

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Nursing Service Cross military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “NURSING SERVICE CROSS”.

16

Reverse

R6

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Military Cross military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “MILITARY CROSS”.

17

Reverse

R7

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Distinguished Flying Cross military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “25”;

(ii) “DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS”.

18

Reverse

R8

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Medal for Gallantry military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “25”;

(ii) “MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY”.

19

Reverse

R9

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Distinguished Service Medal military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL”.

20

Reverse

R10

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Victory Medal military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “VICTORY MEDAL”.

21

Reverse

R11

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the 1939-1945 Star military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “1939-1945 STAR”.

22

Reverse

R12

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL 1945-1975”.

23

Reverse

R13

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Australian Operational Service Medal – Greater Middle East Operation military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “AOSM – GREATER MIDDLE EAST OPERATION”.

24

Reverse

R14

A design, consisting of:

(a) a representation of the Australian Defence Medal, military award, including the clasp and ribbon; and

(b) a representation of St Edward’s Crown, positioned in the centre of a wreath; and

(c) the following:

(i) “20”;

(ii) “AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL”.

25

Reverse

R15

A design consisting of:

(a) a representation of a part of a cricket ground with a curved boundary, a series of lines, spectators and a batsman playing cricket; and

(b) in the foreground, a representation of Richard Benaud with a microphone; and

(c) 6 spectators, each wearing a top displaying one letter from the word “RICHIE”; and

(d) the following:

(i) “50”;

(ii) “RICHIE BENAUD”;

(iii) “1930 - 2015”.

26

Reverse

R16

A design consisting of:

(a) in the centre, a horizontal line; and

(b) in the upper sector, the following:

(i) a representation of a steam engine travelling to the left along that horizontal line wherein the engine is pulling a coal cart, a service cart and 2 passenger carriages;

(ii) a representation of steam emanating from that steam engine;

(iii) a stylised representation of the sun and sky; and

(c) in the lower sector, and positioned on the edge of the coin, a stylised representation of a train track; and

(d) the following:

(i) “TRANS – AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY CENTENARY”;

(ii) the designer’s initials “TD”.

27

Reverse

R17

A design consisting of:

(a) in the centre, a horizontal line; and

(b) in the upper sector, the following:

(i) a representation of a steam engine travelling to the left along that horizontal line wherein the engine is pulling a coal cart, a service cart and 2 passenger carriages;

(ii) a representation of steam emanating from that steam engine;

(iii) a stylised representation of the sun and sky; and

(c) in the lower sector, and positioned on the edge of the coin, a stylised representation of a train track; and

(d) the following:

  1. an outline of a stylised map of Australia, enclosed by a circle;
  2. “TRANS – AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY CENTENARY”;
  3. the designer’s initials “TD”.

28

Reverse

R18

As for item 27, replacing the reference in subparagraph (d)(i) to “an outline of a stylised map of Australia, enclosed by a circle” with “C”.

29

Reverse

R19

As for item 27, replacing the reference in subparagraph (d)(i) to “an outline of a stylised map of Australia, enclosed by a circle” with “the letter “B” enclosed by a square”.

30

Reverse

R20

As for item 27, replacing the reference in subparagraph (d)(i) to “an outline of a stylised map of Australia, enclosed by a circle” with “the letter “M” enclosed by a square”.

31

Reverse

R21

As for item 27, replacing the reference in subparagraph (d)(i) to “an outline of a stylised map of Australia, enclosed by a circle” with “the letter “S” enclosed by a square”.

32

Reverse

R22

A design consisting of:

(a) a central circle containing the following:

(i) a representation of the SS Vyner Brooke partially obscured by a stylised representation of a body of water;

(ii) in the background, a stylised representation of a map of the world including the words “CHINA”, “SUMATRA”, “NEW GUIN”, “TIMOR SEA” and “AUSTRALIA”;

(iii) a horizontal line and the inscription “2.29°S”;

(iv) a vertical line and the inscription “106.06°E”; and

(b) surrounding that central circle, a circular border containing the following:

(i) a stylised representation of a compass, including the letters “N”, “W”, “S” and “E”; and

(ii) “THE SINKING OF THE S.S.VYNER BROOKE”;

(iii) “14 FEBRUARY 1942”; and

(c) “20”.

33

Reverse

R23

A design consisting of:

  1. a representation of a monkey positioned over leafy branches; and
  2. a representation of the Chinese character pronounced ‘hóu’ under the Pinyin system and meaning monkey; and
  3. four lunes containing identical design elements incorporating the representation of a flame; and
  4. the following:
    1. “2016”;
    2. “YEAR OF THE MONKEY”;
    3. “10kg .9999 Au”.

34

Reverse

R24

A design consisting of:

(a) in the background, a representation of the sun, the horizon and a body of water; and

(b) in the foreground, a representation of a rooster perched on a flowering branch; and

(c) a representation of the Chinese character pronounced “jī” under the Pinyin system and meaning rooster; and

(d) 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and

(e) the following:

  1. “2017”;
  2. “YEAR OF THE ROOSTER”;
  3. “1kg .9999 Au”.

35

Reverse

R25

A design consisting of:

(a) in the background, a representation of the sun, the horizon and a body of water; and

(b) in the foreground, a representation of a rooster perched on a flowering branch; and

(c) a representation of the Chinese character pronounced “jī” under the Pinyin system and meaning rooster; and

(d) 4 lunes containing identical design elements incorporating a representation of a flame; and

(e) the following:

  1. “2017”;
  2. “YEAR OF THE ROOSTER”;
  3. “10kg .9999 Au”.

36

Reverse

R26

A design consisting of:

  1. lines radiating from a central circle and dividing the design into 24 equal segments; and
  2. “0h”, “1h”, “2h”, “3h”, “4h”, “5h”, “6h”, “7h”, “8h”, “9h”, “10h”, “11h”, “12h”, “13h”, “14h”, “15h”, “16h”, 17h”, “18h”, “19h”, “20h”, “21h”, “22h” and “23h”; and
  3. dots and lines intersecting dots; and
  4. a stylised representation of each of the following:
  1. a partially obscured man wearing a loincloth and pouring water from a vessel;
  2. a hybrid of a goat and a fish;
  3. a crane;
  4. a native American man holding an arrow;
  5. a peacock;
  6. a centaur with a bow and arrow;
  7. a partially obscured man holding a serpent;
  8. a scorpion;
  9. an inverted flaming altar;
  10. a triangle;
  11. a balance;
  12. a partially obscured pair of legs;
  13. a fish;
  14. a crow;
  15. a sextant;
  16. a cup;
  17. a serpent;
  18. a centaur with a spear and shield;
  19. a cross;
  20. a ship with sails and oars;
  21. a flying fish;
  22. an easel;
  23. a dove;
  24. a dog;
  25. a hare;
  26. a partially obscured man running;
  27. a river;
  28. a partially obscured sea monster;
  29. a phoenix;
  30. a toucan; and
  1. “AQUARIUS”, “PISCIS AUSTRINUS”, “CAPRICORN”, “GRUS”, “INDUS”, “SAGITTARIUS”, “OPHIUCHUS”, “SERPENS”, “SCORPIO”, “ARA”, “AUSTRALE”, “LIBRA”, “VIRGO”, “CORVUS”, “SEXTANS”, “CRATER”, “HYDRA”, “CENTAURUS”, “CRUX”, “MUSCA”, “CHAMAELEON”, “VELA”, “PUPPIS”, “PYXIS”, “VOLANS”, “PICTOR”, “CAELUM”, “COLUMBA”, “CANIS MAJOR”, “LEPUS”, “ORION”, “ERIDANUS”, “CETUS”, “PHOENIX”, “TUCANA”, “FORNAX”, “DORADO”, “RETICULUM”, “HYDRUS”, “Southern Sky” and “1oz .9999 Au”.

37

Reverse

R27

A design consisting of:

(a) a stylised representation of 5 kangaroos; and

(b) a square enclosing a stylised outline drawing of a bear standing with limbs extended and facing left; and

(c) “1 DOLLAR”.

38

Reverse

R28

A design consisting of:

(a) a representation of a feather-tail glider; and

(b) the following:

  1. “1”;
  2. “the designer’s initials “SD”.

39

Reverse

R29

A design consisting of:

(a) a coloured representation of rocks; and

(b) in the foreground and partially obscuring those rocks, a coloured image of a rooster; and

(c) a coloured representation of bamboo stems and leaves; and

(d) the Chinese character pronounced “fugui” under the Pinyin system and meaning wealthy; and

(e) the Chinese character pronounced “jixiang fugui” under the Pinyin system and meaning propitious and wealthy; and

(f) “GOLDEN ROOSTER BLESSING”.

\n```","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2086},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination remains within the standard scope of the Currency Act 1965. It exercises the specific powers in sections 13 and 13A of that Act to prescribe denominations, compositions, weights, and designs for coins. While the instrument authorises unusual high-value denominations (e.g., $30,000) and precious metal compositions, this falls within the original legislative intent to allow for commemorative and investment coinage. The scope has not expanded beyond the Act's framework for regulating Australian currency."},"complexity_factors":["31 distinct coin specifications in a complex table format with 11 columns of technical data","Symbolic cross-referencing system requiring lookup between tables (29 reverse designs R1-R29, 4 obverse designs O1-O4, 3 shapes S1-S3, 3 edge types E1-E3)","Precise technical measurements with tolerance ranges (e.g., '11.22 ± 0.80' grams, '30.15 mm' maximum diameter)","Multiple material compositions specified for the same denomination (e.g., 25c coins in both copper-plated steel and aluminium/zinc/bronze)","Nested design descriptions in Part 2, where some symbols incorporate other symbols by reference (e.g., R18 defined as 'As for item 27, replacing...')","Dependency on external Schedule to the Currency Act 1965 for full context"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument, made under the Currency Act 1965, authorises the Royal Australian Mint to strike a specified batch of 31 commemorative and collectible coins and adds permitted metal compositions for certain denominations. It prescribes each coin’s denomination (1c to $30,000), materials (including 99.99% gold and 99.9% silver), exact weights, dimensions and the obverse/reverse designs.\n\nIt affects the Mint and collectors/investors by making coins such as military medals series, commemoratives and a 10 kg $30,000 gold piece legally recognised as Australian currency."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument stays within the Currency Act power to specify standard compositions, weights, designs and dimensions of coins. It fills out those statutory powers with a detailed list of coin specifications (including circulation and commemorative/bullion coins). It does not expand the legislative purpose beyond the Act's existing remit; it primarily updates and records the technical specifications and authorisations that the Act contemplates (s5 and s6)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑reference to the Currency Act 1965 (paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1)) requiring interpretation of how this instrument alters the Act (s3).","Two operative sections (s5 and s6) that both amend the Schedule to the Act in different ways (compositions vs weights/design/dimensions).","A large technical table in Schedule 1 Part 1 with 31+ item rows specifying denomination, multiple possible standard compositions, weight tolerances, diameter, thickness and coded design features.","Schedule 1 Part 2 contains around 39 symbol explanations (S1–S3 shapes, E1–E3 edges, O1–O4 obverses, R1–R29 reverses) with lengthy textual descriptions — significant volume of descriptive detail.","Multiple entries for the same nominal denomination with different standard compositions and designs (e.g. many 20c and 25c rows and multiple $1 and commemorative coins), increasing reading and cross‑checking complexity.","Precision numeric tolerances (weights ± values, maximum diameters and thicknesses) that require technical interpretation for manufacturing and equipment calibration.","Combinations of regular circulation coins and high‑value bullion/collector coins (including extreme face values), which bring different legal and commercial contexts into a single instrument."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanics)\n\n- Gives the Minister (or other authorised officer) a formal list of coin types, materials, weights, sizes and designs that are to be treated as \"standard\" for the purposes of the Currency Act 1965 (see Authority at s3 and the operative rules in s5 and s6). In practical terms it amends the Schedule to the Currency Act to add or confirm specific coin specifications. \n\n- Section 5 (s5) adds or confirms standard compositions (metals) for particular denominations — for example it records that 25 cent pieces may have standard compositions including aluminium/zinc/bronze and copper‑plated steel, and it also inserts a list of denominations and their standard compositions from Schedule 1 (Part 1). \n\n- Section 6 (s6) sets out that each item in Part 1 of Schedule 1 specifies the standard weight (with allowable tolerance), the design code and the maximum dimensions for each listed coin. Part 2 of Schedule 1 explains the shorthand symbols used in Part 1 to describe shape, edge, obverse and reverse designs.\n\n- Part 1 is a detailed table: each row is a coin specification (denomination + composition) with numeric tolerances for weight, diameter, thickness, a shape code (e.g. S1), an edge code (e.g. E1) and obverse/reverse design codes (e.g. O1, R1). Many entries are ordinary circulation coins (20c, 25c, 50c, $1), and many are commemorative or bullion coins (gold and silver coins with dollar values from $1 up to $30,000). \n\n- Part 2 decodes the design symbols used in Part 1. It sets out what the shape codes mean (S1 = circular, S2 = dodecagonal etc.), the edge codes (E1 = continuously milled; E2 = plain; E3 = interrupted milling) and, crucially, the obverse (O1–O4) and reverse (R1–R29) design descriptions (text descriptions of effigies, inscriptions, motifs and initials). \n\n**Who this affects (directly and indirectly)\n\n- Royal Australian Mint: obliged to mint coins to these specifications and to rely on the instrument as authorisation under the Currency Act (s3 authority). \n\n- Reserve Bank, financial institutions and cash‑handling businesses (cash logistics firms, coin suppliers): they rely on the legal standard for validating and processing legal tender and for reconciliation. \n\n- Vending machine / parking meter / coin‑validator manufacturers and operators, and any business that uses coin‑accepting devices: the weight, diameter, thickness and edge specifications are the technical parameters used to configure hardware that recognises and sorts coins. \n\n- Retailers and the public: legal tender status and the confirmed physical parameters mean those coins are valid for payments and deposits; collectors and secondary‑market buyers are affected by the existence of commemorative bullion coins with high face values and precious‑metal content. \n\n- Precious‑metals market participants and numismatic (collector) dealers: specification of gold and silver content, and of large‑value commemorative coins, matters for valuation, sale and custody.\n\n**Why it matters (practical effects and implementation mechanics)\n\n- Legal certainty: by specifying compositions, weights, designs and dimensions the instrument tells the Mint and the public exactly what is \"a coin\" for legal tender and manufacturing purposes (s5 and s6). That is necessary for enforcement of currency laws and for routine commercial use. \n\n- Manufacturing & transaction costs: changing the declared standard composition (for example listing copper‑plated steel alongside older alloys for 25c coins) mechanically permits the Mint to use different metals. That can change minting cost per coin and may affect durability and acceptance by coin machines — which transfers adjustment costs to the coin‑accepting device owners (who may need recalibration) and to cash handlers. The instrument does not itself state cost or pricing; it only records the allowed specifications (s5). \n\n- Revenue & product mix for the Mint: detailed entries for high‑value gold and silver coins (with specified precious‑metal fineness and large face values) enable the Mint to produce bullion and collectors' items that have legal tender status. Those products commonly generate direct revenue for the Mint (sales to collectors/investors) rather than circulate as everyday money; the instrument creates the legal basis for those coin products by specifying composition/weight/design (Part 1 rows for high‑value items). \n\n- Operational impacts and compliance burden: businesses using coin equipment must ensure validators and counting machines accept the new or multiple compositions and tolerances. Cash handlers must update procedures for weighing and sorting; banks and ATM/coin‑deposit services may need to adjust reconciliation and acceptance rules. The instrument itself imposes no administrative reporting on private firms, but it imposes an operational requirement: the physical coins produced under these specs will exist and must be handled. \n\n**Mechanism of decision and discretion\n\n- Authority: the instrument is made under paragraph 13(2)(b) and subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 (see s3). That statutory power allows the Minister (or delegate) to determine standard compositions, weights, designs and dimensions; this instrument exercises that power by specifying them. \n\n- Who pays and who decides: the Commonwealth (through the Mint and approving minister) decides the standards; direct financial effects depend on how the Mint prices commemorative/bullion issues and on whether using cheaper alloys reduces minting costs. Private parties (device manufacturers, banks, retailers) bear the practical costs of any calibration or handling changes. \n\n**Trade‑offs, incentives and likely behavioural effects (source‑grounded)\n\n- Incentive to reduce minting cost: allowing alternative compositions (e.g. copper‑plated steel for 25c) opens the option for the Mint to adopt lower‑cost metal mixes; that reduces per‑coin minting cost but may impose private adjustment costs on coin‑accepting machine owners (see s5). \n\n- Revenue generation via collectors/bullion products: the instrument explicitly authorises many precious‑metal coins with very high face values and declared fineness (Part 1 entries for gold and silver coins). That creates a legal framework for the Mint to sell collector and bullion products as legal tender; the immediate beneficiaries are purchasers and the Mint (who can sell these products). \n\n- Potential substitution effects: where cheaper alloy coins are introduced, vending machines and coin counters may initially reject them until reprogrammed; that shifts costs to machine operators. The instrument does not prescribe transition arrangements — it only sets standards (s6 and Schedule 1). \n\n- Implementation risk and compliance: the technical tolerances (weights ± grams, diameters, thickness) create narrow bands; production outside tolerance would not meet the declared standard and could create issues in circulation or acceptance. The Mint must control quality to meet those tolerances (s6 and Part 1). \n\n**Key places to look in the instrument\n\n- s3 (Authority): shows the instrument is made under the Currency Act. \n- s5: adds standard compositions and inserts the denominations/compositions listed in Schedule 1 (Part 1) into the Schedule of the Currency Act. \n- s6: makes the weight, tolerance, design and dimension specifications in Schedule 1 effective for the Act. \n- Schedule 1 Part 1: the operative table of individual coin specifications (denomination, composition, weight±tolerance, diameter, thickness, shape, edge, obverse and reverse codes). \n- Schedule 1 Part 2: explanation of symbols used to describe shape, edge, obverse and reverse (the textual design descriptions). \n\n(Sections and schedule references are to the instrument provided.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016","history":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/currency-royal-australian-mint-determination-no-4-2016/documents"}}