Currency Determination No. 7 of 1997

The Determination relies on a small set of structural concepts that determine how it functions and how a reader should interpret the Schedule.

Primary enabling concept

• The instrument is made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 (the opening declaration). That situates the Determination as a delegated instrument used to set technical specifications for coins. The Determination itself contains no broadened statutory language beyond specification and therefore must be read as a technical, not a policy, instrument.

Specification-as-binding-measure

• Clause 3 frames the Determination’s operative effect: it "specifies, for a coin of a kind having the denomination and standard composition specified in columns 1 and 2 in Part 1 of the Schedule, and a design specified in column 5 of that Part" the standard weight and allowable variation (column 3) and the dimensions (column 4). The language is prescriptive: the Determination supplies the technical parameters for coins of the kinds listed.

Technical components

• Weight and allowable variation (column 3): the Determination lists a precise weight and an allowable plus/minus tolerance in grams. These numeric tolerances are the formal production tolerances for the coin kinds listed.
• Dimensions (column 4): diameter and thickness in millimetres. These are precise mechanical tolerances relevant to minting and coin-handling equipment.
• Standard composition (column 2): specifies the metal or alloy composition in simple terms (for example, "copper and nickel", "Not less than 99.9% silver", "Austenitic stainless steel, copper, aluminium and nickel"). Where the composition is a precise legal standard (for example, the "Not less than 99.9% silver" entry), the Determination sets a material quality requirement.
• Shape, edge, obverse and reverse (column 5, explained in Part 2): the Schedule uses symbol codes (S#, E#, O#, R##) rather than full descriptive text in each cell. Part 2 decodes those symbols into the required design features and inscriptions.

Design-code legend

• Part 2 provides the necessary decoding of the S/E/O/R codes: it explains that S1, S2, S3 correspond to circular, regular 24-sided polygon and dodecahedral shapes respectively; E1, E3, E4 designate particular edge treatments (for example continuous milled, segmented milled/plain combination, plain); O5 prescribes an effigy of the Queen with the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA" and "1998"; and each reverse code R54-R59 describes specific reverse motifs and exact inscriptions (for example R54 names George Bass and Matthew Flinders and lists the precise inscriptions to be included).

Non-exhaustive scope

• Clause 4 makes explicit that this Determination "does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin", signalling that other determinations continue to operate in the statutory fabric. In practice that means this Determination is limited to the coins set out in its Schedule; it neither purports to supplant other determinations nor to be a comprehensive register of every Australian coin.

Formatting and presentation

• The Schedule uses compact codified entries rather than verbose descriptions for each coin kind. This reduces duplication in the Schedule but requires consultation of Part 2 to fully understand the design requirements. The Schedule includes multiple rows that share denomination numbers but differ in composition or reverse code; Part 2 is therefore essential to interpret which design and inscription is required for each row.

Taken together, these concepts make the Determination a narrowly focused technical instrument: it fixes precise physical and design characteristics for a defined set of coin kinds and provides the code legend necessary to interpret those characteristics. The instrument is limited to those specifications and defers to other determinations and the Currency Act for broader legal effect and enforcement.

The Determination directly prescribes technical requirements; its practical effects fall on a set of parties that interact with coins in production, circulation and handling. The instrument itself does not expressly list affected parties, so the identification below follows the instrument’s content and the real-world mechanics implied by the specifications (Grounding: cl 3 and Schedule, Part 1 and Part 2).

Primary affected parties

• Mint/manufacturer: Entities responsible for physically producing Australian coins must meet the weights, tolerances, compositions, dimensions and design inscriptions set out in the Schedule. The Determination’s technical specs (weights ± tolerances, diameters, thicknesses and compositions) are the production tolerances a mint must satisfy (Schedule, Part 1).
• Designers and die-makers: The obverse and reverse design codes (O5 and R54-R59) specify the motifs and exact inscriptions. Anyone producing dies, artwork or toolings for coinage will need to apply the text and imagery specified in Part 2. In particular O5 requires the effigy and inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA", "1998" (Part 2, O5), and the various R-codes specify the required reverse inscriptions and motifs in detail.
• Assayers and quality-control testers: Where the Schedule specifies metal quality, for example the "$1" coin entry reading "Not less than 99.9% silver", testing and assay functions must verify compliance with that material standard (Schedule, Part 1).
• Currency handlers and cash-processing businesses: The specified weights, diameters, thicknesses, shapes and edges determine how currency-sorting and coin-counting equipment will detect and accept coins. The existence of different shapes (circular, 24-sided, dodecahedral) and different edge profiles (milled, segmented, plain) means coin-handling equipment and calibration specifications must be matched to those physical parameters (Schedule, Part 1; Part 2).
• Financial institutions and retail cash operators: Banks, retailers and other cash-intensive businesses that accept, count or store coins need to be aware of the physical specifications to manage acceptance in coin-counting machines, to identify commemorative or special-issue coins, and to segregate coins requiring different handling (for example, a silver coin with a different weight standard).
• Numismatists and collectors: The Determination sets the official design and composition for the listed coins. Collectors, auctioneers and secondary-market dealers will rely on the Schedule to identify legal-issue coins, to confirm metal content (for example the 99.9% silver entry), and to catalogue coin variants by reverse design code.
• Equipment manufacturers: Manufacturers of vending machines, coin-operated devices and automated payment equipment need to ensure mechanical sensors and validators accommodate the diameters, thicknesses, weights and edges set out (Schedule, Part 1). Shape differences such as a 24-sided profile or dodecahedral outline will directly affect mechanical acceptance.
• Customs and enforcement agencies: While the Determination contains no penalty clauses, agencies enforcing currency laws or investigating counterfeit or non-conforming coinage will use the Determination as the technical reference for legal coin specifications (cl 3; Schedule).

Indirectly affected parties

• Designers and contractors for commemorative programmes: Several reverse codes R54-R59 describe commemorative motifs (for example "DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT", centenary designs and Royal Flying Doctor Service commemorations). Cultural bodies or advisory panels that commission or recommend commemorative motifs will have their outputs transformed into legally prescribed reverse inscriptions via the design codes.
• Businesses dealing in precious metals: The silver coin entry makes a material specification ("Not less than 99.9% silver"). Refiners, assayers and bullion dealers will be interested in the legal definition of that coin’s composition and mass.

Who decides and who pays

• The Determination is made by the Assistant Treasurer (instrument header). The instrument itself sets technical specs but does not allocate costs. The practical costs of compliance (manufacturing to tighter tolerances, assaying, redesign of coin-handling equipment) will be borne by the producers and coin handlers in practice, but the Determination does not itself record who bears which financial cost.

Limits of the instrument’s direct effect

• The Determination is limited to the specifications it lists and expressly does not affect other determinations (cl 4). It therefore affects only those coin kinds set out in its Schedule, and it does not attempt to set out enforcement mechanics or broader currency policy.

The Determination is a prescriptive technical instrument. It does not create freestanding duties using the words "must" or criminal sanctions in its text, but it imposes binding specifications which, in the statutory framework, define the legal character of the listed coin kinds. Key duties and rights derived from the Determination’s text are the following (with textual grounding).

Duty to adhere to the Schedule’s specifications for coins of the kinds listed

• Clause 3 states that the Determination "specifies" the standard weight and allowable variation and the dimensions for a coin of a kind having the denomination and composition in columns 1 and 2 and a design specified in column 5. The practical reading is that persons producing coins of the kind listed are required to apply the standard weight/tolerance and dimensions as the legal specification for that coin kind. The Determination does not itself enumerate consequences for failure to adhere; it supplies the specification (cl 3; Schedule, Part 1).

Duty to apply design inscriptions and motifs per Part 2

• The designs are not free-form. Part 2 sets out exactly what O5 and R54-R59 require, including literal inscriptions: for example O5 requires an effigy of the Queen "surrounded by the inscriptions: (a) 'ELIZABETH II'; and (b) 'AUSTRALIA'; and (c) '1998'." Reverse R54 requires specified inscriptions "GEORGE BASS", "MATTHEW FLINDERS", "DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT", "1798 - 1998" and "50" alongside particular imagery. Those textual prescriptions are the normative design content to be reproduced for the corresponding reverse codes (Schedule, Part 2).

Duty to meet material standards where specified

• One entry in column 2 for a $1 coin states "Not less than 99.9% silver". That is a material standard; anyone producing that coin has the duty to ensure the coin’s metal content meets that minimum specification (Schedule, Part 1, relevant row).

Duty to consult Part 2 for symbol meanings

• Column 5 in Part 1 uses codes (for example S1, E3, O5, R55). The Determination therefore imposes a duty on users to consult Part 2 to determine the full specification. Part 2 is integral to the Schedule and must be read together with Part 1.

Right to use the Determination as the technical reference

• Parties making, assaying, testing, handling, validating or enforcing the authenticity of coins have the right to use this Determination as the authoritative technical baseline for the coins it lists (cl 3; Schedule). In legal or commercial disputes concerning whether a specimen conforms to the legal specification for a listed coin kind, the Determination provides the relevant technical standards.

Right to rely on the Determination being supplemental to other determinations

• Clause 4 expressly preserves other determinations about coin specifications. The right to treat other determinations as operative remains; this Determination does not revoke, supersede or otherwise affect other determinations (cl 4).

Notable absences in the instrument (affecting duties and rights)

• No enforcement or penalty clauses are contained in the Determination. It does not itself create offences, specify inspection regimes, or allocate enforcement powers. Accordingly, any duties in the Determination as a practical matter are enforced through the enabling statute (Currency Act 1965) or other legal mechanisms, not by provisions in this text. This absence is material when assessing immediate legal remedies or sanctions for non-conformance.

Practical consequence for private actors

• Although the Determination sets the technical standards, the practical duty for private actors (mints, equipment manufacturers, banks, retailers) is to verify and ensure that minted coins and coin-handling systems align with the specified weights, diameters, thicknesses, shapes and edge profiles, and that designs bear the inscriptions and motifs required by Part 2.

The Determination itself contains no express penalty provisions, enforcement mechanism, or inspection powers. The instrument is narrowly framed to specify coin characteristics; it does not set out offences, sanctions, enforcement agencies or compliance procedures. Relevant textual points:

• The opening paragraph records the statutory power used (made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965), but the Determination contains no operational enforcement clauses (instrument header; cl 3 and cl 4). The Determination’s text is silent on what penalty or sanction follows non-conforming coin manufacture or distribution.

• Clause 4 explicitly states the Determination "does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin." It does not reference enforcement, indicating the instrument’s limited technical scope.

Consequences of the textual silence

• Because the Determination does not set penalties, any legal enforcement, offences and remedies concerning coin specifications must be pursued under the Currency Act 1965 (the enabling statute) and any relevant criminal, customs or counterfeit statutes, or under administrative regimes established elsewhere. The Determination is the technical standard; it does not itself create the enforcement machinery.

• In practical terms, parties seeking enforcement (for example, government agencies, banks or private claimants asserting non-conformity) would reference this Determination as the technical benchmark and then bring proceedings, inspections or regulatory actions under the applicable statutory or regulatory provisions outside this instrument. The Determination would be evidence of the legal specification but not the source of penalty provisions.

Operational enforcement actors (implied)

• The Determination does not name bodies responsible for enforcement. In practice, the usual institutional actors for currency matters are the monetary authority (Reserve Bank), a mint (Royal Australian Mint), customs and police, or prosecutorial authorities, but the Determination itself does not name or empower any of them. Any enforcement or investigation would therefore rely on other legal provisions under the enabling Act or other statutes.

Practical compliance and dispute resolution

• For commercial disputes (for example, a vending machine manufacturer claiming a coin does not conform to a machine’s acceptance criteria), the Determination supplies the specification against which conformity might be tested. Any remedial action (recall of coin batches, damages, injunctions) would depend on contractual, statutory or regulatory remedies existing outside the Determination.

Summary statement

• The Determination sets mandatory technical specifications for the listed coins, but it contains no enforcement clauses or penalties. Enforcement would be achieved through other legal means under the Currency Act 1965 or other legislation; this Determination functions as the technical standard to be applied in any enforcement or compliance context.

The Determination is a delegated instrument made under a provision of the Currency Act 1965 (it records the subsection under which it is made). Its interactions with other legal instruments and laws flow from that enabling relationship and from clause 4 of the Determination.

Primary statutory context

• Enabling statute: the Determination is made under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 (instrument header). The Determination is therefore a subordinate instrument within the statutory framework established by the Currency Act. The Act supplies the legal authority and any enforcement, offence or administrative structures that give effect to the specifications in the Determination. The Determination itself is limited to specification.

Relationship to other determinations

• Clause 4 expressly provides that "This Determination does not affect any other determination of the specifications of a coin." That is a non-derogation clause. It means the Determination operates alongside other determinations; it neither nullifies nor replaces other determinations that also specify coin specifications. Users must therefore consult the universe of determinations under the Currency Act to understand the full set of applicable specifications.

Interaction with delegated instruments and departmental practice

• As a delegated instrument, the Determination will typically sit in the register of determinations administered under the Currency Act. Departmental practice, procurement rules for minting, and contractual arrangements for coin production (for example with the Royal Australian Mint) will need to reference this Determination in conjunction with any contractual documents, but the Determination does not on its face create procurement or contract terms.

Interaction with product safety, consumer and equipment laws

• The Determination’s specifications (diameter, weight, thickness, shape and edge) will interact in practice with product safety and consumer device standards to the extent coin-handling equipment must accommodate these coins. The instrument itself does not amend or override those other laws, but those standards and mandatory obligations may require recalibration of equipment or product updates when new coin specifications are issued.

Interaction with counterfeit and criminal laws

• The Determination sets the lawful technical description for the listed coins. Where counterfeiting is an issue, criminal and customs laws would draw on the Determination as the technical benchmark for authenticity. The Determination itself does not create counterfeit offences; those remain in criminal or customs law. The Determination therefore functions as a technical schedule that criminal enforcement agencies and courts can use as evidence of the lawful appearance and composition of a coin.

Interaction with property and commercial laws

• The Determination may affect valuation, sale, and collateralisation of coins materially (for example due to the silver-content entry). Commercial transactions involving coins, bullion dealers, or numismatic sale agreements will need to take into account the Determination to verify metal content and mass. But any rights, title, tax treatment or sale remedies remain governed by general commercial law and tax statutes; the Determination supplies the technical facts.

Interaction with international rules and trade

• The Determination does not address import/export controls or customs duties. However, for cross-border movements of coinage or precious-metal coins, customs rules and international trade laws will apply in addition to the Determination’s specifications. The Determination is silent on these matters; it provides the domestic technical standard only.

Practical approach to legal interaction

• In practice, a user of the Determination should treat it as the authoritative domestic technical description of the listed coin kinds and, where necessary, read it in conjunction with: the Currency Act 1965 (for legal authority and enforcement), any other determinations under the same enabling Act (cl 4), and any sector-specific regulations or standards (for example equipment standards, consumer-product regulations, customs requirements) that affect the parties dealing with coins.

The Determination’s text as provided contains two items of instrument metadata and no express subsequent amendments or revocations.

Instrument metadata

• The Determination records it was made by C.R. Kemp, Assistant Treasurer, and dated 11 November 1997 (instrument header). Clause 1 provides the citation "Currency Determination No. 7 of 1997". Clause 2 states the commencement date as 1 January 1998.

No amendment text within the instrument

• The text supplied does not contain any later amendment clauses, saved provisions, or revocation language. There is no recorded history of amendment, no expiry provision, and no transitional wording within the instrument text itself.

Implication for practitioners

• Based solely on the instrument as provided, the Determination stands as made on the stated date and commenced on 1 January 1998, with no recorded internal amendments. Practitioners should therefore treat the version provided as the original instrument. Because clause 4 preserves other determinations, users should nonetheless check the currency of other determinations under the Currency Act 1965 that might interact with, supplement or supersede specifications for coin kinds not covered here.

Recommended verification steps

• For current practice, verify whether subsequent determinations, amendments or revocations have been made under the Currency Act 1965 after the date of this Determination. The instrument itself does not record those possibilities; a contemporaneous search of the legislation register, the Commonwealth Gazette and the repository of delegated instruments is the correct operational step to determine whether this Determination remains current, has been varied, or has been superseded.

Record-keeping

• If relying on this Determination in contracts, procurement, or compliance work, retain the instrument as a dated technical reference (dated 11 November 1997; commenced 1 January 1998) and verify whether a later instrument modifies any of its specifications.

The Determination as provided contains no material on litigation, judicial consideration, or dispute resolution arising from its contents. The Schedule and clauses are technical and prescriptive but the instrument does not include:

• any notation or record of litigation, court proceedings, or arbitral decisions; or
• references to judicial interpretations or case citations.

Consequences of the absence of litigation history in the instrument

• The absence of litigation material in the Determination means there is no internal record here of precedent about interpretation of its terms (for example, disputes about whether a particular specimen meets the ± tolerance in column 3, or disputes over the intended meaning of a design code).

How practitioners should treat this

• When a dispute arises about conformity (for example, whether a coin is within the allowable weight variation or whether the reverse inscriptions match the R-code), the Determination will be cited as the primary technical standard. Any legal issues concerning admissibility, evidence, or enforcement must be resolved by applying the Currency Act 1965 and other applicable laws. Practical adjudication will require evidence (assays, measurements, expert testimony) compared to the numeric and textual standards set out in this instrument.

Recommended steps where litigation risk exists

• If litigation is contemplated or likely, practitioners should:
  • Obtain authenticated copies of the Determination and any other relevant determinations under the Currency Act 1965.
  • Assemble expert reports measuring mass, diameter, thickness and metal composition to the tolerances set out in the Schedule, Part 1.
  • Prepare visual and documentary comparison to the design inscriptions required by Part 2 (for example photographic comparison to the specified inscriptions).
  • Identify the applicable statutory enforcement or offence provisions in the Currency Act 1965 or in criminal/customs statutes under which relief is sought.

Summary

• The Determination itself contains no litigation history. Any disputes about its meaning or application will be resolved externally, using the Determination as the technical benchmark and any relevant statutory or common-law remedies available under other laws.

This Determination is compact but contains a number of structural and practical features that can produce misinterpretation or operational risk if not read carefully. The following "gotchas" identify aspects of the text that merit particular attention for lawyers, compliance personnel, producers, and equipment manufacturers. Each point is grounded in the Schedule and clauses.

1. Use of symbol codes requires cross-referencing Part 2

• Column 5 of Part 1 uses coded entries (S1, S2, S3; E1, E3, E4; O5; R54-R59). The actual design and inscription obligations are not visible in the Part 1 cells; Part 2 provides the full textual decoding. Failure to consult Part 2 will lead to incomplete understanding of design obligations (Schedule, Part 1 and Part 2).

2. Multiple rows with the same nominal denomination but different compositions or reverses

• The Schedule shows multiple entries for the same numeric denomination (for example two $1 entries: one base-metal and one "Not less than 99.9% silver"; also multiple rows with blank denomination cells but identical weights and dimensions). Practitioners must not assume denomination alone identifies the coin kind; composition and reverse code are integral to the coin kind definition (Schedule, Part 1). The empty denomination cells in some rows are potentially confusing and should be read as variants associated with the surrounding context rather than typographical errors.

3. Precision and tolerances are tight and differ between rows

• Each coin entry lists a weight and an allowable variation (for example 15.55 ±0.40 g for 50 cents, 9.00 ±0.28 g for $1 base-metal and 11.66 ±0.24 g for a silver $1). These tolerances are numerically small; producers and assayers must measure to the specification levels indicated (Schedule, Part 1).

4. Material specification wording varies in granularity

• One $1 entry states "Not less than 99.9% silver",an explicit minimum purity. Other entries give the alloy components (for example "Copper, aluminium and nickel", or "Austenitic stainless steel, copper, aluminium and nickel") without specifying precise alloy percentages. The legal implications differ: where a minimum purity is specified, testing can be directly benchmarked; where alloy components are listed without percentages, compliance assessment may require factual interpretation and possibly reference to mint specifications not contained in this Determination (Schedule, Part 1).

5. Obverse inscription includes a year that is fixed

• O5 requires the effigy of the Queen surrounded by inscriptions including "1998" (Part 2, O5). That fixed year is part of the legal obverse design for the coins listed. Any confusion about dated versus undated variants requires careful attention to the O5 prescription.

6. Reverse inscriptions are word-for-word and include capitals and hyphens

• Part 2 lists the exact inscriptions to appear for R54-R59, for example R54 includes the inscriptions "(a) 'GEORGE BASS'; and (b) 'MATTHEW FLINDERS'; and (c) 'DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT'; and (d) '1798 ‑ 1998'; and (e) '50'." The literal punctuation and formatting matters for reproduction and for demonstrating conformity.

7. The instrument does not state which authority or agency adjudicates conformity

• The Determination itself does not identify an enforcement or inspection authority. Users should therefore not assume the Determination confers inspection powers or establishes administrative review procedures; those will come from other statutes (cl 4).

8. Blank cells in the HTML representation may conceal intended associations

• The provided table contains blank denomination and composition cells in some rows. Practitioners should interpret those blank cells conservatively and refer to the surrounding entries and to Part 2 to determine the intended coin kind. Where ambiguity remains, seek the parliamentary or departmental explanatory materials or the official posting of the instrument.

9. Units and symbols: typographical artefacts may confuse parsing

• The Schedule uses a "" symbol for plus/minus and includes numeric entries with decimal commas represented as full stops. When converting the Determination into machine-readable specifications, check for encoding artifacts (for example the "" character) and verify numerical values against an authoritative source (Schedule, Part 1).

10. Clause 4’s preservation of other determinations creates multi-instrument compliance

• Because clause 4 says the Determination does not affect other determinations, compliance may require review of multiple determinations to ensure no conflict. For example, if an earlier determination sets a different obverse or standard for a given denomination, the relationship between that earlier determination and Currency Determination No. 7 of 1997 must be ascertained by looking at the complete instrument corpus under the Currency Act.

11. Commemorative designs and bullion-like coins are included

• Some reverse codes describe commemorative motifs and bullion-type inscriptions (for example R56 references "1 OUNCE FINE SILVER"). These entries may interact with bullion rules, numismatic pricing and taxation regimes in ways not addressed by the Determination itself. Practitioners should be alert to separate legal regimes when dealing with such coins.

12. The Determination is technical, not procedural

• The Determination prescribes the "what" (specifications), not the "how" (manufacturing process, assay methods, certification). Where procedural standards are required, they must be sought in other guidance or contractual documents.

These gotchas point to the need to treat the Schedule and Part 2 as an integrated technical specification and to verify any interpretative ambiguities against the official published instrument and any departmental explanatory materials or related determinations.

This section sets out a practical, step-by-step compliance checklist and recommended procedures grounded in the Determination’s textual requirements (cl 3; Schedule Parts 1 and 2). The Determination itself prescribes technical standards but does not set out enforcement mechanics; compliance therefore means ensuring that production, testing and product-handling conform to the Schedule and that documentary evidence of conformity is retained.

1. Identify the exact coin kind

• Read Schedule, Part 1 row-by-row. A coin kind is defined by the combined information in columns 1 (Denomination), 2 (Standard composition) and 5 (design code). Do not rely on denomination alone where multiple entries exist. Where column cells are blank, inspect adjacent rows and Part 2 to determine the intended variant (cl 3; Schedule, Part 1).

2. Check material composition requirements

• For entries that specify a composition, ensure production or procurement documentation records the alloy or metal used. In particular, for the entry that reads "Not less than 99.9% silver", obtain supplier declarations, assay certificates and test results proving compliance with the 99.9% minimum (Schedule, Part 1).

3. Verify weight and allowable variation

• For each coin kind, measure sample coins and confirm the mass lies within the standard weight ± allowable variation. For example:
  • 50 cents: 15.55 ± 0.40 g (Schedule, Part 1).
  • $1 (base-metal): 9.00 ± 0.28 g.
  • $1 (silver): 11.66 ± 0.24 g.
  • Other listed weights as per Schedule.
• Use calibrated scales with traceable calibration certificates. Retain measurement logs showing calibration dates, instrument details, and the measured values for representative samples.

4. Confirm dimensions: diameter and thickness

• Use verniers, micrometres or equivalent calibrated measuring devices. Check that each sampled coin matches the diameter and thickness specified in column 4. Record measurement methodology and tolerances and keep traceable instruments for audit.

5. Match shape and edge profiles per Part 2 codes

• Consult Part 2 to decode S1/S2/S3 and E1/E3/E4.
  • S1 = Circular; S2 = Regular 24‑sided polygon; S3 = Dodecahedral.
  • E1 = Continuous milled; E3 = 14 segments, of which 7 are milled and 7 are plain; E4 = Plain.
• Inspect physical coins for correct shape and edge. For polygonal shapes, measure the number of sides and verify dimensional conformity of side edges and circumferential dimensions.

6. Reproduce obverse and reverse design inscriptions exactly

• For obverse O5, ensure the effigy and inscriptions include "ELIZABETH II", "AUSTRALIA", and "1998" as specified (Schedule, Part 2 O5).
• For each reverse code R54-R59, ensure each listed inscription and motif appears exactly as prescribed. For example, R54 requires the inscriptions "GEORGE BASS", "MATTHEW FLINDERS", "DISCOVERY OF BASS STRAIT", "1798 ‑ 1998", and "50". Maintain die approval records and artwork sign-offs showing exact text and layout.

7. Record-keeping and documentation

• Maintain a compliance file for each coin kind containing:
  • A copy of the Determination and the relevant Schedule pages.
  • Supplier declarations and material certificates (especially for precious-metal entries).
  • Calibration certificates for weighing and measurement instruments.
  • Batch testing results (mass, diameter, thickness, composition).
  • Artwork approvals, die proofs and photographic evidence showing inscriptions and motifs.
  • Quality-control sign-offs and non-conformance records.

8. Test plan for production runs

• Implement a sampling and test plan for production:
  • Pre-production die proofs and test-strikes to verify inscriptions and motifs.
  • Batch sampling for weight and dimensional testing at defined frequencies.
  • Periodic assay testing where material purity is specified (for example, 99.9% silver coins).

9. Equipment and vending-machine compatibility

• If your business operates coin-accepting equipment, update validators and sensors to the exact weights, diameters, thickness and edge profiles. For polygonal shapes or dodecahedral outlines, test coin acceptance in relevant hardware and record acceptance rates. Update machine firmware/firmware lists where necessary to avoid mis-acceptance.

10. Numismatic and retail labelling

• For dealers, auction houses and retail outlets dealing in these coins, ensure product descriptions include the Determination’s material and mass information (for example "11.66 ±0.24 g, Not less than 99.9% silver"), and list the reverse code and inscription to demonstrate the coin matches the legal specification.

11. Cross-reference other determinations

• Clause 4 preserves other determinations. Before concluding compliance with the full legal framework, search for any other determinations under the Currency Act 1965 that might affect the same denominations or designs, and reconcile any differences.

12. Incident handling and non-conformance

• If a batch of coins fails to meet the weight, dimension or composition requirements, record the non-conformance, quarantine the batch, and seek guidance on remedial options under the relevant procurement or statutory frameworks. The Determination does not provide remedial procedures; consult contracts and the enabling statute for next steps.

13. Expert evidence for disputes

• If a normative dispute arises (for example a claim that a coin fails to conform), obtain independent expert measurements and assay reports referencing the Determination as the standard. Retain chain-of-custody documentation for specimens and communicate the testing methodology (calibration, measurement uncertainty).

14. Communication with contracting and governmental counterparts

• Where producing coinage under contract with government or an authorised mint, ensure contract specifications explicitly incorporate the Determination by reference and specify the acceptance testing protocol and remedies for non-conformance. The Determination provides the technical baseline but is not a substitute for contractual acceptance criteria.

15. Regular review and register checks

• Because the Determination may sit among a series of determinations under the Currency Act, periodic verification against the current legislative and delegated-instrument registers is recommended to ensure the Determination has not been amended or superseded.

By following these steps, a producer, custodian, handler or dealer of coinage can demonstrate that it has taken reasonable steps to ensure that coins conform to the precise technical standards set out in Currency Determination No. 7 of 1997 (cl 3; Schedule, Parts 1 and 2).