Currency (Perth Mint) Determination 2010 (No. 2)

The determination draws on several concepts from the Currency Act 1965 that are worth unpacking because they define how this instrument works and its limits. The first is denomination. The Act defines coins by their denomination (the face value stated on the coin). The Schedule to the Act originally contained only the denominations that Parliament had approved - typically 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 and so on for circulating coins. However, section 13(2)(b) allows the Minister (or a delegate) to determine that the Schedule is taken to include a particular denomination. That is precisely what this determination does: it treats the Schedule as if ‘60c’ were already listed. The 60c denomination did not previously exist in the Schedule, and it does not appear in any other determination for circulating coinage. It is a unique face value created solely for this coin.

The second concept is standard composition. The Act requires every coin to have a standard composition specified opposite its denomination in the Schedule. This determination specifies ‘At least 99.9% silver’. The phrase ‘at least’ is important: it means the coin must be at least that fineness, but could be purer - though in practice the mint is unlikely to exceed the minimum because silver of exactly 99.9 per cent is standard. The composition is a metallurgical requirement: the coin’s physical content must consist predominantly of silver at that purity level. It does not specify the other metals that may make up the remaining 0.1 per cent; those would be trace impurities or, more likely, a small amount of copper or other hardening agent, though the determination does not mandate that.

The third concept is standard weight and allowable variation. Section 13A(1) permits the determination to set a standard weight and the permissible deviation from that weight. The instrument sets 16.073 grams plus or minus 0.500 grams. The allowable variation of half a gram is relatively generous for a coin of that size - it represents about 3.1 per cent either side. This tolerance accommodates manufacturing variability in a rectangular coin with a colour proof finish, which is more complex to strike than a plain round coin. The Mint must ensure that every coin falls within that range, otherwise it would not comply with the determination and would not be legal tender.

The fourth concept is dimensions. The coin’s maximum diameter is replaced in this instance by a rectangular shape, so the table gives ‘26.60 x 37.60 (dimensions of rectangle)’ in the diameter column, and a maximum thickness of 2.00 mm. The determination uses the term ‘maximum diameter’ from the Act but adapts it to a rectangle by specifying the two side lengths. The shape symbol S1 is defined as ‘rectangular’. This is a notable departure from the usual round coin shape and has implications for handling, vending machines, and general circulation, reinforcing the coin’s status as a collectible.

The final concept is design, broken into obverse and reverse. The obverse is standard for Australian coins of this era: an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley (indicated by ‘IRB’), with the monarch’s name, the year 2010 and the description ‘1/2oz 999 SILVER’. The reverse is a commemorative design featuring Mary MacKillop, who had been canonised by the Catholic Church earlier in 2010. The determination specifies a ‘colour proof finish’ - meaning the coin is struck using proof dies and then colour is applied, usually by pad printing or similar process. This is unusual for legal tender coins and increases manufacturing cost. The design also includes the letter ‘P’ for the Perth Mint.

The determination does not itself declare the coin to be legal tender; that effect arises from the Currency Act once the coin is lawfully minted according to the specification. The coin is therefore legal tender for 60 cents, but in practice it would be foolish to tender it for that amount given its silver content.

The primary entity affected is the Perth Mint, which is the prescribed mint under the Currency (Perth Mint) Act 1975 and the only mint authorised to produce coins under determinations made specifically for it. The determination is made under a delegation to the Assistant Treasurer, and it directly empowers the Perth Mint to strike coins meeting the specifications. The Mint is a government-owned enterprise operating under the Western Australian state government, albeit under Commonwealth legal tender legislation. The determination therefore creates a product opportunity for the Mint: it can issue a coin that carries legal tender status, which is a valuable attribute in the numismatic and precious metals markets. That status differentiates the coin from privately minted silver rounds or bars, which cannot be offered as legal tender.

Collectors and investors are the intended end users. The coin’s denomination of 60 cents is unusual and almost certainly chosen for the commemorative subject rather than any functional monetary purpose. The coin is marketed as a collectible, and its legal tender status adds a layer of official authenticity and government guarantee of purity. The determination implicitly restricts the Mint to issuing this coin only in the specified design. If the Mint wished to issue a different 60 cent silver coin with a different design, it would require a separate determination.

Currency dealers and bullion traders may be affected in that they buy and sell such coins. The coin will trade at a price based on its silver content plus a numismatic premium for the Mary MacKillop theme, colour proof finish and rectangular shape. Dealers must handle it as a legal tender coin, which may attract different tax treatment (for example, coins that are legal tender are generally exempt from capital gains tax for personal use under Australian tax law if held as investment, but that is a matter of tax legislation, not this instrument). The coin’s rectangular shape makes it difficult to encapsulate and store in standard coin tubes, which adds cost for dealers.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is indirectly affected. The Reserve Bank has responsibility for Australia’s coinage and banknote supply, but the Perth Mint strikes coins under separate arrangements. The creation of a non-circulating 60 cent coin does not affect the circulating coin supply, but it does create a liability for the Commonwealth: every coin issued is a liability on the Commonwealth’s balance sheet, redeemable at face value. However, because the coin will almost never be redeemed (its silver value is higher than the face value), that liability is effectively dormant. The determination does not create any new obligations for the Reserve Bank to redeem the coin in the normal currency system.

The general public is unlikely to encounter this coin in daily transactions. If someone did tender it as 60 cents, a shop could accept it as legal tender but would be receiving a coin whose intrinsic value far exceeds the face amount. The shop would then have to handle it as a collectible or sell it for its silver value. No merchant is obliged to accept any particular denomination of coin beyond certain limits (for silver coins above 50c, the legal tender limit is to a total of $5 under the Currency Act for coins of that denomination - though 60c is not explicitly covered, probably the $5 limit for silver coins applies). The practical effect on the public is negligible.

The Assistant Treasurer and the Department of Treasury are affected in that they administer the Currency Act and must ensure that determinations are properly made, registered, and within power. The determination was signed by Nick Sherry as Assistant Treasurer in August 2010. It is a legislative instrument subject to disallowance by either House of Parliament, which imposes a scrutiny role on the Parliament, though in practice such determinations are rarely disallowed.

The determination creates no new duties or rights for private persons beyond what already exist in the Currency Act. Its operative effect is to confer a power on the Perth Mint - the power to lawfully mint a coin of the specified denomination and characteristics. That is the only duty the determination imposes: the Mint must adhere to the specifications if it chooses to issue coins under this determination. If the Mint issues a coin that deviates from the specifications - say a different weight, a different silver purity, or a different reverse design - that coin would not be compliant with the determination and would not be legal tender. It may also contravene the Currency Act by issuing something that purports to be a coin without lawful authority, which carries penalties for counterfeiting or for issuing unauthorised coins.

The Mint therefore has a duty to ensure that every coin struck under this determination meets the standard weight (16.073 ± 0.500 g), the standard composition (at least 99.9 per cent silver), the dimensions (26.60 x 37.60 x 2.00 mm), the shape (rectangular), the edge (serrated), and the obverse and reverse designs exactly as described. The determination uses symbols for design features that are decoded in Part 2: shape S1 (rectangular), edge E1 (serrated), obverse O1, reverse R1. The Mint must follow those precisely. The obverse includes the text elements ‘IRB’, ‘ELIZABETH II’, ‘AUSTRALIA 2010’ and ‘1/2oz 999 SILVER’. The reverse includes a specific design: a representation of Mary MacKillop (presumably a depiction approved by the relevant authorities), her signature, and the text elements. The determination does not specify the exact image - that is left to the Mint’s design process, but the description ‘a representation of Mary MacKillop against a background of horizontal lines’ sets parameters. The colour proof finish is required, which imposes technical quality standards.

For anyone other than the Perth Mint, the determination creates no duties. However, the Currency Act confers a right on any holder of a coin of lawful denomination to use it as legal tender up to certain limits. Section 16 of the Currency Act sets out the legal tender limits: for coins of unspecified denominations, the limit is $5 for silver coins (and for coins of 50c and above under provisions that were in force at the time). The 60c coin would be a silver coin of a denomination above 50c, so the $5 limit would apply. That means a person could lawfully offer up to $5 worth of such coins (i.e., up to eight coins, given face value 60c x 8 = $4.80) to discharge a debt, and the creditor would be obliged to accept them as legal tender. In practice, this right is nearly worthless because the coin’s market value exceeds $5, but it exists in law.

The determination also gives the Commonwealth a right to issue such coins. The right is delegated to the Perth Mint by the Currency Act and this determination. The Mint exercises that right as a business function, selling the coins to dealers and collectors.

There is no duty on the Commonwealth, the Mint or the Assistant Treasurer to produce any particular quantity of coins, to keep them in circulation, or to redeem them at face value other than the general obligation to honour legal tender. The Mint could produce a limited mintage and then stop. The determination does not require the Mint to make the coin available to the public at face value; it will be sold at a premium.

For collectors who purchase the coin, they have the right to treat it as legal tender, but more importantly they have the right to rely on the specifications as a guarantee of purity and weight. The determination gives a government-backed specification, which is stronger than private guarantees. If the Mint issued a coin that did not meet the specified composition (e.g., only 90 per cent silver), the coin would be defective and potentially counterfeit, and the holder could have remedies under Australian Consumer Law or under the Currency Act’s provisions against unauthorised coins.

The determination itself creates no penalties. It is a specification instrument that sits under the Currency Act 1965, and the penalty provisions of that Act apply if any person issues, utters, or in any way deals with coins that do not comply with the lawful specifications. The relevant provisions in the Currency Act include sections dealing with offences against the coinage: counterfeiting, impairing, or using coins that are not current or that are defaced. Section 28A of the Currency Act (as it was at the time) creates offences for manufacturing or issuing a coin without the authority of the Act, and for making or using a coin that is not of the proper weight or composition. If the Perth Mint were to issue a coin that claimed to be a 60 cent coin under this determination but did not meet the specifications, it could be subject to enforcement action, though as a government entity the likelihood of prosecution is low; more likely the coin would simply be withdrawn or declared not legal tender.

For private persons, the main risk is counterfeiting. If someone produced a coin copying the design and purported it to be legal tender under this determination, they would face penalties under the Criminal Code (for counterfeiting currency) or under the Currency Act. The maximum penalty for counterfeiting coins under the Currency Act is a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 7 years, or both, depending on the offence. The determination does not alter those penalties.

Enforcement is primarily by the Australian Federal Police, the Reserve Bank’s security division, and in some cases by the Perth Mint itself if it detects counterfeits of its own products. The determination, being a registered legislative instrument, provides the legal basis for what constitutes a lawful coin. A court would look to the determination to decide whether a coin is genuine or counterfeit. Without the determination, the 60 cent denomination would not be an authorised coin, and any coin purporting to be such could be considered unauthorised and potentially counterfeit even if it met certain specifications.

The Register of Legislative Instruments ensures public notice: the determination was registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, which means it is accessible for verification. That registration is required under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (now the Legislation Act 2003). Failure to register could render the determination unenforceable or invalid, but it was registered.

For the Perth Mint itself, the enforcement mechanism is more about reputation and public trust. If the Mint strayed from the specifications, the determination could be amended or revoked by the Assistant Treasurer. The Coin can also be rejected by dealers if they find it does not meet the stated weight or purity, leading to warranty claims. The determination thus acts as a standard that the Mint must meet to maintain the coin’s legal tender status and market value.

This determination operates under the Currency Act 1965, specifically paragraphs 13(2)(b) and 13A(1). It is a legislative instrument subject to the Legislation Act 2003 (formerly the Legislative Instruments Act 2003). That Act governs the registration, tabling, and disallowance of such instruments. The note at the end of the determination confirms registration. In practical terms, the determination cannot be enforced unless it is registered and available to the public. It is also subject to disallowance by either House of Parliament within 15 sitting days of tabling, though that is a rare occurrence.

The determination interacts with the Currency (Perth Mint) Act 1975, which establishes the Perth Mint as a prescribed mint under the Currency Act. That Act enables the Perth Mint to produce coins of the realm under determinations such as this one. Without that Act, the Perth Mint would not be authorised to mint Australian legal tender coins. The determination relies on that authorisation.

The coin, once issued, becomes legal tender under the Currency Act. However, the Act places limits on the amount of coins of certain denominations that can be used to discharge a debt. For silver coins of denominations of 50 cents and over (which would include a 60 cent coin), the limit is $5. That means a creditor can refuse to accept more than $5 worth of such coins in payment, though they may accept more voluntarily. This limit is set out in section 16 of the Currency Act as it stood at the time. The determination does not alter that limit.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), contained in Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, applies to the sale of the coin by the Perth Mint. The coin is a ‘good’ under the ACL, and the Mint must ensure it is of acceptable quality, corresponds to description (including the specifications in this determination), and is free from defects. If the coin does not match the stated weight or composition, a purchaser may have rights under the consumer guarantees. The determination itself does not create those rights, but it sets the benchmark for the description. If a coin is advertised as ‘60c coin as per Currency (Perth Mint) Determination 2010 (No. 2)’, the determination defines the description.

The coin also interacts with taxation law. In Australia, coins that are legal tender are generally exempt from goods and services tax (GST) when sold as investment gold or silver, provided they meet certain purity requirements. The coin is 99.9 per cent silver, which meets the purity threshold for GST-free treatment under A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 for investment silver (which requires at least 99.9 per cent fineness). However, the coin’s sale may also be subject to GST if treated as a collectible rather than investment silver, depending on the margins. The determination does not address tax, but the purity specification is relevant.

There is also interaction with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 in terms of misleading or deceptive conduct. If the Perth Mint represented that the coin contains 1/2 oz of 999 silver but it did not, that could be misleading. The determination provides an objective specification that can be tested.

With respect to state laws, the Perth Mint is a state entity (Western Australia), but the coin is issued under Commonwealth law. State laws may apply to the sale and manufacture of goods, but they cannot be inconsistent with Commonwealth law regarding coinage. The determination is a valid Commonwealth legislative instrument.

Finally, the determination does not affect any other determinations under section 13A(1). It includes a savings clause to that effect. So coins previously authorised under other determinations - such as the 2009 series of precious metal coins - remain unaffected. The determination is stand-alone for this one coin.

The instrument itself shows no amendment history within its text. It is a single determination with no schedules of amendments attached. However, the title indicates it is the second such determination made during 2010. There must have been a Currency (Perth Mint) Determination 2010 (No. 1), which presumably covered other coins. That earlier determination may have been similar in structure but for different denominations or designs. The determination under analysis came into effect on the day after registration, which is standard for such instruments.

The Currency Act 1965 has been amended many times since its original enactment, but this particular determination has not been amended. It was registered in 2010 and likely remains in force unless superseded or repealed. The Register of Legislative Instruments would show amendments, but none are listed in the source document. It is possible that later determinations replaced or incorporated this coin by reference, but the text does not indicate that. The note at the end refers to the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, where the current status can be verified.

Given that this is a commemorative coin for a specific event (canonisation of Mary MacKillop), the determination may have been intended for a limited mintage, after which it may have been spent. However, the determination itself would remain in force until it is expressly revoked or amended. The Perth Mint could still strike additional coins under this determination if it wished, provided it meets the specifications. Whether it has done so is not listed.

The determination is made under section 13A(1) of the Currency Act, and that section has been amended over time. At the time of making, the provision allowed the Minister to specify weight, variation, dimensions and design by legislative instrument. Subsequent amendments may have changed the delegation arrangement or the process, but those amendments do not affect the validity of this determination, which was validly made at the time.

The date of the determination is 31 August 2010, signed by Nick Sherry as Assistant Treasurer. The coin itself is dated 2010 on the obverse. This was the year of Mary MacKillop’s canonisation (17 October 2010), so the timing suggests the coin was prepared in advance of the official event. The instrument would have been made before the canonisation but after the announcement.

There is no indication of any repeal or sunsetting. The Legislative Instruments Act 2003 at that time did not have automatic sunsetting for instruments made before 2005, but instruments made after 2005 were subject to sunsetting after 10 years. This determination would therefore have been subject to sunsetting in 2020, unless it was exempted or remade. As of the user’s query, the determination may have ceased to have effect in 2020 if not remade. However, the source text does not mention sunsetting, and the analysis is on the instrument as presented. The user should verify the current status on the Federal Register of Legislation.

The source instrument contains no reference to litigation, and it is highly unlikely that this specific determination has been the subject of court proceedings. The instrument is a ministerial specification of a coin, and such specifications are rarely challenged in court. There is no published case law that mentions this determination. Any litigation that could arise would most likely be contractual - for example, a dispute between the Perth Mint and a buyer about whether the coin conforms to specifications, or between a collector and the Mint over defects. Such disputes would be heard under consumer law or contract law, not under this determination directly.

One potential area of litigation is the use of the denomination ‘60c’. The Currency Act lists certain denominations in the Schedule, and the Minister has power to treat the Schedule as including a denomination not previously listed. A challenge could be made that the Minister exceeded the power by creating a denomination that is not a multiple of 5 cents (since all other Australian coin denominations are multiples of 5 cents - 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2). However, 60c is a multiple of 5 cents (12 x 5c), so that would not be an issue. Moreover, the Minister’s power under section 13(2)(b) is broad: it allows the Minister to determine that the Schedule has effect as if a particular denomination were included. There is no restriction on creating odd denominations; the Act simply lists the denominations that were in the Schedule originally. This determination adds 60c only for the purposes of this coin. No litigation appears to have tested that power.

Another potential litigation ground is the ‘colour proof finish’. The determination requires a colour proof finish on the reverse. If the colour fades or deteriorates, a buyer might claim the coin is not as specified, but the determination only specifies a design in colour proof finish at the time of minting - it does not guarantee that the colour will last indefinitely. That would be a matter for the Mint’s warranty or Australian Consumer Law.

The rectangular shape could cause issues for coin grading services, but that is commercial, not legal.

There is no record of any constitutional challenge. The Commonwealth’s power over coinage is plenary under section 51(xii) of the Constitution (currency, coinage and legal tender). The delegation to the Perth Mint under state ownership does not raise constitutional issues because the Commonwealth retains ultimate control via the Currency Act and the Minister’s determinations.

If the determination had expired due to sunsetting, any coin issued after expiry would not have legal tender status, and that could lead to disputes. But again, no litigation is reported.

In summary, the litigation history is effectively nil. The instrument is obscure and technical, making it an unlikely target for litigation.

Several aspects of this determination can trip up readers or users if they are not careful.

First, the coin is rectangular, not round. That is obvious from the specifications, but many people assume legal tender coins are always round. The shape is defined by symbol S1, and the dimensions are given as '26.60 x 37.60 (dimensions of rectangle)'. That means the coin cannot be rolled or stacked easily. It also means the 'maximum diameter' column is repurposed for rectangle dimensions, which could cause confusion if someone interprets 'diameter' as strictly circular. The maximum thickness is 2.00 mm, which is consistent with a coin of this weight, but the rectangular shape means the coin may not fit standard coin capsules or coin albums designed for round coins.

Second, the weight tolerance of plus or minus 0.500 grams is relatively generous. At 16.073 grams, the tolerance allows a range of 15.573g to 16.573g. That is over 3 per cent variation. For a bullion coin, investors expect tighter tolerance (typically ±0.15g or less for a half-ounce silver coin). The determination does not explain why such a broad tolerance was chosen; it may reflect the difficulty of striking a rectangular coin with colour proof finish. But it means some coins could be significantly lighter or heavier than the advertised 1/2 oz silver content. A coin at the lower end of the tolerance would contain only about 0.485 oz of silver (15.573g of 99.9% silver), which is less than the stated 1/2 oz. That could lead to disputes if a buyer expects exactly half an ounce of silver. The determination only guarantees at least 99.9 per cent silver, not a specific weight of silver. The weight is the coin's total weight including any trace metals; the silver content is nominally 16.067g (if pure silver) but the tolerance could mean as little as 15.573g of silver, which is about 0.5005 troy ounces. The declared '1/2oz 999 SILVER' on the obverse may be considered a representation that the coin contains half an ounce of silver. If the coin's total weight includes some non-silver content (even 0.1 per cent might mean 0.016g of other metal), the silver could be slightly less than 1/2 oz. This is a gotcha for investors relying on the silver content.

Third, the coin is denominated as 60 cents, but its silver value far exceeds that. Under the Currency Act, the coin is legal tender for exactly 60 cents. However, the legal tender limit for coins of this type is $5 (for silver coins over 50c). That means you could only use up to about eight such coins to discharge a debt. Nobody will tender it, but the limitation is worth noting.

Fourth, the colour proof finish is unusual for a legal tender coin. The determination specifies it, meaning the coin must have colour applied as part of the minting process. This colour could fade, scratch or wear over time, and the determination does not prescribe durability. A coin that loses its colour does not necessarily become non-compliant, because the determination only requires the colour at the time of minting. However, a collector may feel the coin is damaged. The determination does not guarantee longevity.

Fifth, the obverse includes the text '1/2oz 999 SILVER'. That is part of the coin's design, not a mandatory labelling under trade law. But if the Mint produced a coin that did not contain at least 99.9 per cent silver, the text would be misleading, and the coin would not comply with the determination. Also note the obverse includes 'IRB' (Ian Rank-Broadley's initials) which is standard for coins of that period.

Sixth, the reverse includes a 'representation of Mary MacKillop against a background of horizontal lines' and her signature. The determination does not specify the exact image; it only gives a description. That leaves some latitude for the Mint's interpretation, but it also means that if a collector expected a particular portrait and got a different one, they have no legal recourse under this determination, only possibly under consumer law. The letter 'P' denotes the Perth Mint, but that is not the mint mark.

Seventh, the determination uses the term 'At least 99.9% silver'. This means the coin could be 99.99 per cent silver, and still comply, but also that the remaining 0.1 per cent could be any metal. There is no requirement that the coin is exactly 99.9 per cent. This may affect the coin's status as a 'silver coin' for purposes of investment or capital gains tax treatment, but generally 99.9 per cent is accepted.

Eighth, the coin's weight is specified in grams, but the silver industry uses troy ounces. The obverse says '1/2oz 999 SILVER', so the Mint is representing the coin as containing half a troy ounce of silver. The standard weight of 16.073 grams corresponds to half a troy ounce (15.552g is exactly half a troy oz; 16.073g includes a bit extra for the small impurities). The Mint likely intended the coin to contain exactly half an ounce of silver, but the total weight is higher to account for the colour proof coating or other trace elements. This is a subtle gotcha: the coin's total weight is 16.073g, but the silver content is not exactly half an ounce if the colour proof adds weight. The determination does not specify the silver content by weight, only the composition and total weight. So there is an ambiguity between the face of the coin and the legal specifications.

Ninth, the determination does not specify any mintage limit, quality standard (e.g., proof finish), or certification. The Mint can decide on those. The colour proof finish is specified, but not the quality of the strike. The Mint's own quality control is not regulated by the instrument.

Tenth, the determination is subject to the Legislative Instruments Act and likely expired 10 years after registration (around 2020) unless remade. Coins issued after that date would not be lawful unless a new determination was made. Anyone buying such a coin after 2020 should verify its legal tender status. The source date is 2010, so the determination may no longer be in force.

For the Perth Mint, compliance with this determination is relatively straightforward. The Mint must ensure that every coin produced under the determination meets the specifications in Schedule 1, Part 1. That means:

1. Composition: The coin must be struck from silver that is at least 99.9 per cent pure. The Mint should source silver with that fineness and verify it through assay.

2. Weight: Each coin must have a total weight of 16.073 grams, with a permissible variation of plus or minus 0.500 grams. The Mint should implement a weight-checking process, possibly using automated weighing scales, to cull coins outside the range. The tolerance is wide, so weight compliance should be easy.

3. Dimensions: The coin must be rectangular with side lengths 26.60 mm by 37.60 mm, and a maximum thickness of 2.00 mm. The Mint must set its striking dies and collars to produce those dimensions. Because the coin is rectangular, the Mint needs specialized dies that create the square shape. The thickness must not exceed 2.00 mm; coins that are too thick would be non-compliant. The Mint should measure random samples.

4. Shape: Rectangular (S1). The dies must produce a clear rectangular shape without rounding of corners beyond acceptable limits.

5. Edge: Serrated (E1). The edge must have serrations, which usually requires a collar with serrations. The Mint must ensure the serrations are present and consistent.

6. Obverse design (O1): The obverse must include an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II (the Ian Rank-Broadley design), along with the text 'IRB', 'ELIZABETH II', 'AUSTRALIA 2010' and '1/2oz 999 SILVER'. The design must be legible and correctly positioned. The Mint should use approved master tools.

7. Reverse design (R1): The reverse must feature a representation of Mary MacKillop against a background of horizontal lines, Mary MacKillop's signature, and the text '1842-1909', '60c', 'AUSTRALIA', and 'P'. The coin must have a colour proof finish. That means the Mint must apply colour (likely a layer of coloured enamel or printed ink) as part of the proof minting process. The colour must be applied to the reverse only, presumably in the areas intended. The Mint should ensure the colour is applied uniformly and does not obscure the text. The proof finish means the coin is struck with polished dies and treated to achieve a mirror-like background and frosted devices.

8. Registration: The determination itself was already registered. For ongoing compliance, the Mint should keep records of the determination and ensure that any coin sold as a product under this determination is accompanied by information referencing the lawful authority.

9. If the Mint wishes to cease production or vary the coin, it must seek a new determination or an amendment of this one. It cannot deviate unilaterally.

For persons other than the Mint, compliance is minimal. If a collector or dealer intends to sell the coin, they should ensure they are not misrepresenting its specifications. They can rely on the determination as an authoritative source for the coin's legal specifications. They may also need to handle the coin as an investment product subject to taxation and reporting laws, but that is outside this determination.

For anyone accepting the coin as payment, they should be aware of its legal tender limits. If they receive more than $5 worth (eight coins), they are not obliged to accept the excess. They should also be aware that the coin's value far exceeds 60 cents.

If the determination has sunsetted (likely after 10 years from registration in 2010), any coin issued after the sunset date would not be authorised. Dealers and collectors should verify the current status of the determination on the Federal Register of Legislation. If the determination has expired, the coin would not be legal tender, though it would still be a precious metal item. The Mint would presumably have a new determination in place if it continued issuing the coin.

In summary, compliance revolves around the minting process. The determination leaves the Mint with little discretion but also provides a safe harbour if followed precisely. Non-compliance would primarily affect the coin's legal tender status and its marketability.