This policy is intended to assist members of the public and others who are considering using Australian coinage designs.
The Royal Australian Mint is responsible for authorising the use of coinage design and the reproduction of images of Australian coins.
All individuals and businesses requesting the use of coin designs should meet the following criteria set out below:
- Alignment with the Royal Australian Mint’s company values
- The coin will be reproduced in a faithful likeness, shown in good taste and in a positive context
- The coin will not be defaced or broken up
- There is no conflict with Royal Australian Mint products or services
- Artwork will be provided for final approval if requested by the Royal Australian Mint
Brand Identity Requests
Use of the Royal Australian Mint name, logo or coin image as part of a brand identity is not permissible in any circumstance.
General Advertising requests
The flat form reproduction of a coin for use in advertising or other promotional literature is normally permissible given the above
criteria is met. The stipulation that coins will be reproduced in a faithful likeness is made to prevent part of the coinage design being
used out of context. However, showing part or a segment of a coin will usually be acceptable, providing the image is used in good
taste and is clearly recognisable as depicting part of a coin. The Mint will require a copy of the advertising for clearance prior to this
being published/broadcast. Requests to use an Australian coin image produced by the Royal Australian Mint should be
emailed to info@ramint.gov.au with details of the use of the image, channel/broadcast details and timing.
For use on educational or informative website or literature
Permission is granted, so long as the use of the coin design or image is in good taste and used in a positive context.
No application is required to be submitted for this use.
For use for commercial purposes
The flat form reproduction of a coin for use for commercial purposes is normally permissible given the criteria mentioned above is met.
The stipulation that coins should be reproduced in a faithful likeness is made to prevent part of the coinage design being used out of
context. However, showing part or a segment of a coin will usually be acceptable, providing the image is used in good taste and is
clearly recognisable as depicting part of a coin.
Requests to use coin designs for commercial purposes require written permission from the Royal Australian Mint. Please complete
an Application for Permission to Reproduce coin designs for commercial or 3D Format form and email it to info@ramint.gov.au,
including the information outlined below.
- List of coins to be used including details of each coin i.e. requests for all $2 coins since ‘x’ date will not be accepted.
You must list all $2 coins. - Concept designs, drawings, models or samples of the products
- Lifetime production quantity
- Details of where product will be made available for purchase
- Date products will be made available for purchase
- Recommended Retail Price
Please make sure to use the following email title: Use of Australian coinage design for commercial purposes.
Images of coins are to be used only for the purposes outlined above and any additional conditions outlined by the Mint.
Approval to use Australian currency coin images is only granted where the use of the image is lawful and in line with the
Mint’s guidelines relating to, but not limited to, the size, accuracy, quality and presentation of these images.
Requests seeking to use coin designs for commercial purposes require a licence agreement between the Royal Australian Mint
and the requesting party. Royalty fees may apply.
Please allow a minimum of one month for processing of your application.
Requests to use licensed coin images not owned by the Mint
At times, the Mint collaborates with entities to produce coin designs. The Mint does not own the copyright of these
designs and any requests to license the intellectual property in these designs should be directed to the brand owner/artist.
For privacy reasons, the Mint is unable to provide contact details to third parties.
The Mint is unable to give permission to use coin designs featuring third party intellectual property.
Requests for 3D reproduction of coins
Requests to reproduce 3D images of coins must meet the above-mentioned criteria and require written permission
from the Royal Australian Mint. Please complete an Application for Permission to Reproduce coin designs for
commercial or 3D Format and email your completed application to info@ramint.gov.au.
Images of coins are to be used only for the purposes outlined above and any additional conditions outlined by
the Mint. Approval to use Australian currency coin images is only granted where the use of the image is lawful
and in line with the Mint’s guidelines relating to, but not limited to, the size, accuracy, quality and presentation of these images.
The Mint will require approval of the concept and final reproduction. Please allow a minimum of one month for
processing of your application.
Please make sure to use the following email title: Use of Australian coinage design in 3D format.
Fees and Charges
The Royal Australian Mint has the right to charge a royalty fee for the use of coin designs or images should it deem it necessary.
There is a $200 (GST exclusive) fee per image for applications requiring supply of high-res images of coins.
Images will be provided upon receipt of payment.
Defacing, destroying or altering Australian currency coins
It is a criminal offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 (Cth) to deface or destroy current Australian currency
coins. It is also an offence to sell or possess current coins that have been defaced. Defacing a coin includes coating
the surface of the money with any sort of material. The penalty for defacing coins, or selling or possessing money
that has been defaced, is $11,100 or imprisonment for two years for an individual (or both), and $22,200 for a body
corporate. You may also be guilty of the offence of making counterfeit money if you alter a genuine coin.
The destruction or alteration of designs used on coins may also infringe the right of the author of the design not to
have an artistic work subject to derogatory treatment. The author's rights to 'integrity of authorship' are protected
under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). If you do something in relation to an artistic work that is prejudicial to the author's
honour or reputation, a court can order you to stop the infringing conduct, make a public apology, or pay damages to the artist.
Articles resembling genuine Australian currency coins
It is a criminal offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 (Cth) to produce an article that resembles a genuine
coin. If you produce replica money, and it is possible that a person might be deceived into thinking that the replica
money is genuine Australian currency, you may have committed an offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 (Cth).
The penalty for making counterfeit money is imprisonment for 14 years for an individual, and $166,500 for a body
corporate. You may also be guilty of an offence if you sell or possess articles which resemble genuine coins.
You should seek legal advice if you propose to make or sell an article that resembles genuine Australian currency.
The Mint cannot provide this advice.
Requests seeking to use coin designs in 3D format require a licence agreement between the Royal Australian Mint and
the requesting party. Royalty fees may apply.
Please allow a minimum of one month for processing of your application.
Download the Application for permission to reproduce Australian coin designs for commercial purposes or in 3D format
Licence Agreement – Australian Coin Design Reproduction
Copyright and re-use of materials enquiries and requests should be sent to:
The Chief Executive Officer
Royal Australian Mint
Denison Street
DEAKIN ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Phone: (02) 6202 6999
Email: info@ramint.gov.au
Website: www.ramint.gov.au