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Glossary

Accountable Authority Instructions (AAIs)

These instructions establish the Mint’s financial administrative framework as required under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

black nickel coin

A coin featuring black nickel plating on its surface.

CHRIS21

An integrated human resource and payroll application for managing payroll, award interpretation, training, OHS, professional development, recruitment, reporting and workflow.

circulating coins

Coins used as legal tender for the purpose of trade in Australia.

coinage

Refers to coins collectively.

coin blank

A piece of metal which has been cut to the required shape but yet to be struck into a coin.

coin dealer

Collects and sells coins.

coin die

A hardened metal tool, the face of which carries an engraved design or mirror image of the design that is to be impressed on one side of the blank.

collector coin

Non-circulating coins (also referred to as numismatic coins) and are coins intended for coin collectors and souvenir/gift market rather than for payment of good and services.

colour printed

Coloured ink applied to a coin after striking to enhance elements of the design.

counterstamp

An additional mark or symbol punched into a coin after it has been produced.

decimal coin

A coin produced as part of the decimal currency system of dollars and cents, introduced in Australia on 14 February, 1966.

domed coin

A curved coin that has a dome-like shape.

denomination

The stated face value on a coin or banknote

direct sourcing

A form of restricted tendering, available only under certain circumstances, with a single potential supplier or suppliers being invited to bid because of their unique expertise or special ability to supply the goods or services sought.

effigy

The portrait appearing on the obverse of a coin. In Australia, the effigy features the reigning monarch and when appearing with the word Australia, denotes the coin as legal tender in Australia.

enterprise agreement

An agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of employment between an employee or group of employees and one or more employers.

EPICOR

Material requirements planning software system.

eShop

The Mint’s online shop.

fine silver

Used to refer to silver which is 99.9 per cent pure.

frosted uncirculated coin (frunc)

Coins may be issued with certain parts of the design slightly dulled. This is accomplished by sandblasting a portion of the design on the die.

health, safety and environment management system

A framework that allows an organisation to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for safety occurrences, help achieve compliance with health and safety legislation and continually improve its performance.

gallery press

The coining press in the Visitors Gallery at the Mint where visitors can mint their own coin.

gold plated

A coin featuring gold plating on its surface.

high relief

High relief is a sculptural technique where the design of a coin is further raised out of the background field, increasing the definition of the design.

human resource management information system (HRMIS)

A computerised solution for managing HR and payroll data and accounting functions within payroll. The Mint’s HRMIS is called CHRIS21.

individual work plan

Regular feedback between team member and supervisor to discuss workplace issues and assist in identifying areas where development is needed and how to meet those needs.

LEAN

Manufacturing principals to improve organisational efficiency.

legal tender

Currency which is payment for an amount equal to that denoted on the face of currency.

legends Program

A loyalty program that rewards the Mint’s regular customers for their purchases.

limited mintage

Maximum number of coins being made. mintage Number of coins made.

minting

Making coins.

mint issue

The Royal Australian Mint’s quarterly sales catalogue featuring new numismatic products.

mintmark

A letter or symbol, indicating the mint of origin.

national coin collection

The Mint’s collection of coins and coin related material that is significant to Australia’s numismatic history.

net promoter score

An index ranging from 0 to 100 that measures the willingness of customers to recommend a company’s products or services to others.

nickel plated

A coin featuring nickel plating on its surface.

numismatic

The science, study or collecting of coins, tokens, medals, paper money, orders, decorations or similar objects.

numismatic products

Collectible products including coins, medallions, tokens, jewellery etc.

obverse

The side of the coin that is the major side, usually carrying the portrait. The ‘Heads’ side of the coin.

open tender

A procurement procedure in which a request for tender is published inviting all businesses that satisfy the conditions for participation to submit tenders.

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013

This Act sets out the main principles and requirements of the Commonwealth Resource Management Framework.

precious metals

Highly valuable metals, including gold, which are used to make the Mint’s premium products and investment coins.

press

A machine that performs the coin-striking process.

privy Mark

A special mark of differentiation on the design of a coin.

proof coin

A carefully struck coin using special dies with either a mirror-like or matte finish. These coins are especially struck and the term is not used to describe a well-preserved circulating coin.

proof

A method of manufacture, not a condition or grade.

quality assurance

Ensures compliance with the requirements set out in the Mint’s Quality Management System, which is accredited to international quality management standard ISO9001. Including team visit to the premises of suppliers to audit the company’s quality systems align with the Mint Quality Management System.

quality control

Ensures that all coinage blanks, coinage dies, coins and packaging materials that enter or leave the Mint meet the required technical specifications and are of an acceptable quality standard.

quality management system

A documented management system to manage the processes to continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its performance and meet or exceed quality expectations.

reverse

The opposite side to the obverse. Also known as the ‘Tails’ side of the coin.

seigniorage

The difference between the face value of a coin and the cost of producing, distributing and retiring it from circulation.

select tender

A procurement procedure in which the procuring agency selects which potential suppliers are invited to submit tenders.

strike a coin

To press a coin.

supply chain

Represents the movement of materials as they flow from their source to the end customer. It is made up of the people, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product from the supplier to the customer.

token

A numismatic collectible product and coin-like object.

unlimited mintage

No limit on the number of coins being made.

WellMint

The Royal Australian Mint’s health and wellness program, incorporating health assessment, activities and health information for Mint employees.