Royal Australian Mint

November 6, 2023
Ellis Crawford
Uncategorized

About Royal Australian Mint

The Royal Australian Mint, located in the suburb of Deakin in the Australian capital city of Canberra, produces all of Australia’s circulating coins. It operates as a Commonwealth Government entity under the Treasury portfolio. In 1965, the Mint was inaugurated by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Before its establishment, Australian coins were minted in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The Royal Australian Mint holds the distinction of being the first independent mint in Australia, separate from the British Royal Mint, which was a government entity in the United Kingdom. Only the Perth Mint, previously a subsidiary of the UK Royal Mint until 1970, remains among the three older Australian mints.

In 1959, plans were made to relocate the Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint to Canberra, and a suitable site in the suburb of Deakin was chosen. Richard Ure, the Chief Designing Architect in the Commonwealth Department of Works, designed the mint in the International style. The mint was officially opened by The Duke of Edinburgh on 22 February 1965, which coincided with the introduction of the Australian decimal currency on 14 February 1966. The cost of the mint project was £4.5 million, and Prime Minister Harold Holt expressed satisfaction with the building and its incorporation of modern minting techniques. The construction of the main administration building was undertaken by Civil and Civic, while E. S. Clementson Pty Ltd completed the process building.

What to do at the Royal Australian Mint

The Mint is not just a working factory but also a Commonwealth Heritage Site and an award-winning cultural attraction in the field of tourism. Each Australian coin produced by the Mint carries an image that serves as a starting point for conversations and a marker of history, reflecting who we are as a nation and where we have come from. No matter who you are, everyone has a unique story to share about coins. Whether it’s receiving your first coin from the tooth fairy, finding a sixpence in the Christmas pudding, making a crucial “heads or tails” decision, or spending countless hours collecting and admiring special coins, there is something for everyone to discover at the Mint. So come and visit today to explore the fascinating world of coins because coins are truly made for wonder.

Discover the fascinating world of coins through a free guided tour and see how coins are made through the factory viewing platform and interactive multimedia displays. Spot Titan, the Mint’s robot whose job it is to pour coins into a hopper. Mint your very own coin or buy one from the Mint’s Coin Shop as a memento of your visit or a gift for a loved one. End your visit with a coffee or light snack at the Mint’s Cafe. For a list of exhibitions, displays, and public programs, check the Mint’s website.