Royal Australian Mint

Royal Australian Mint produces circulating coins in Australia. It also engages in the production of medals and awards, tokens, medallions, jewelry items, and investor products for domestic and international clients; circulating and numismatic coins for other countries; and a range of collector coins through mail order operation. In addition, the institution operates e-commerce portal; a network of domestic and international coin dealers; Australian post outlets; and retail shop. Further, it operates as a Canberra tourist attraction with a public gallery and shop; and custodian of Australia’s National Coin Collection. Royal Australian Mint was founded in 1965 and is based in Canberra, Australia.

Foundations and history

Planning for the mint started in 1959 when it was proposed to move the Royal Mint branch in Melbourne to Canberra. It was officially opened by The Duke of Edinburgh on 22 February 1965, coinciding with decimal currency, which was introduced into circulation on 14 February 1966. The new mint cost A$5 million to build, with an additional $4 million for equipment.

The new mint and the Melbourne Mint operated concurrently while sufficient stockpiles of new coinage were prepared and until it was felt that production in Canberra was proceeding smoothly, after which in 1967 the Melbourne mint was closed. Some staff from the Melbourne mint relocated to Canberra to operate the new mint. However it was not until the early 1980s that the RAM was able to sustain solitary production of the full set of circulating Australian coins, and so on several occasions in the 1960s and 1970s the RAM contracted production runs to the Perth Mint, the Royal Mint in both London and Llantrisant, and even on one occasion the Royal Canadian Mint.

The mint consists of two buildings, an administration building, and a process building. The administration building houses the engravers, a laboratory, and a vibration-free basement where coinage is measured to ensure correct size and weight.

The mint is an Australian Public Service agency, staffed through the Department of the Treasury.

During 1984-1986 renovations were carried out to support the increasing demand for the production of collector coins, and also to improve the visitor facilities. Visitors can mint their own legal tender coin using visitor presses.

The mint serves primarily to manufacture Australia's legal tender precious metal coins. Notes are produced by Note Printing Australia in Melbourne. The mint also produces medals for military and civilian honours, most notably the Order of Australia. The mint produced medals for the 2000 Summer Olympics in conjunction with the Perth Mint. The Royal Australian Mint also produces tokens made for commercial organisations such as casinos, car washes etc.

Address: Denison St, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 5PM
Founded: 1965