Following a $6 million upgrade at the Royal Australian Mint last year, its new museum features interactive displays that will entertain old and young alike. 

Enter the captivating world of coins at the Royal Australian Mint, operating since 1965.

The Royal Australian Mint plays an essential role as the nation’s sole producer of coin currency and through its collectible coin programs that capture and commemorate Australia’s history and culture. 

Thanks to a $6 million upgrade last year, the new museum features interactive displays that will entertain old and young alike. Visitors can design their very own digital coin and see if they have what it takes to produce coins with games that test skills of efficiency and precision. 

There are also new wow-factor installations, starting with the coin column as you walk through the  entrance. It contains an impressive 24,432 gold $1 coins. And, yes, they’re legal tender! 

Wander through the museum and take in the variety of collectible coins that commemorate  historical milestones, Aussie icons and unsung heroes. 

Featuring quintessential animals such as the kangaroo and koala, major events such as the Olympics and Paralympics, or the end of World Wars, these coins serve as miniature pieces of history, as well as  miniature pieces of art. 

From the factory viewing platform, gaze over the machines that make millions of coins each year and  see the star of the show, Titan, the giant orange robot, lift barrels of gold and silver coins that weigh  up to a tonne.

Downstairs, visitors can mint their own coin in the Mint Shop, or enjoy a barista coffee or a bite to eat in the café. 

With free entry, tours and parking, the Mint is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and  from 10am to 4pm on weekends. 

The Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin, ramint.gov.au, call 1300 652 020, email hello@ramint.gov.au

Stories of Change

Be transported into the world of coins the moment you enter the museum. Our 15-metre long mural of 12,617 coins – Stories of Change – tells a comprehensive story of Australia’s circulating decimal currency.  

These coins are more than just pieces of metal. They are tiny mirrors that reflect who we are and highlight what’s important to us as a nation. Hidden in this sculptural wall are hundreds of special coins – each one containing a unique story of Australia’s history. From commemorating the sacrifice and hard work of those around us, to celebrating the foods we eat to the cars we love, coins are little pieces of history in your pocket.  

It also reveals changes in minting technology, such as the addition of colour printing to our commemorative coins. Some of the Mint’s most popular coin designs are on display, including the  award-winning $2 Honey Bee, $2 Remembrance (red poppy) and the iconic $1 Mob of Roos. 

The wall is designed for visitors to explore and touch the coins, and unlike most museum objects, was created to be tactile and hands-on.

Designing the first Australian coins

When the Mint first opened in 1965 to enable the upcoming switch to our own decimal currency, the first question that needed to be answered was – what should Australia’s coins look like?  

Six artists were selected to compete for the honour of designing Australia’s new currency. The artists – who were from a range of fields including illustration, metalwork and silver smithing – were asked to submit designs around the themes of Australia’s unique flora and fauna. 

Kangaroos, koalas, wattle and even a dancing brolga were some of the options put forward. Selected sketches were made into plaster sculptures to show how the design would translate into a 3D image. It was a difficult decision for the judges, but in the end it was the youngest artist – Stuart Devlin – whose designs were chosen for the back of Australia’s new currency.

With his animals filling the entire space of the coin, each delivered a strong presence through  patterning – the lyrebird’s fan, the lizard’s frill, the platypus’ ripples and the echidna’s many spines. This gives the coins a sense of movement and a liveliness, as well as consistency across the complete  set. 

Devlin’s designs have remained a constant and much loved part of Australia’s currency for more than 60 years.