Section 51(xii) of the Australian Constitution is a subsection of Section 51 of the Australian Constitution that gives the Commonwealth Parliament the right to legislate with respect to “currency, coinage, and legal tender.” Section 51 of the Australian Constitution describes the powers of the Australian federal parliament. ...

Generally, powers in section 51 of the Australian Constitution can also be legislated on by the states, although Commonwealth law will prevail in cases of inconsistency. However, the currency power must be read in conjunction with other parts of the Australian Constitution. Section 115 of the Australian Constitution establishes “a state shall not coin money, nor make anything but gold or silver coin a legal tender in the payment of debts”. This section effectively makes the concurrent power in section 51(xii) exclusive to the Commonwealth. Section 51 of the Australian Constitution describes the powers of the Australian federal parliament. ... In Australia, legislative power is held concurrently by the Commonwealth and the States. ...

Despite this, Australian coins were not introduced until 1910. From 1901 to 1910 the states could not issue tender and the Commonwealth had not issued tender, so foreign currency was used. Australian coins refers to the coins which are or were in use as Australian currency. ...