What is the Perth Mint?
The Perth Mint is Australia's oldest operating mint, opened in 1899 to refine gold from the Western Australian gold rushes. It produces gold, silver and platinum coins and bars, and is a popular tourist attraction.
The mint was established as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint to turn gold from Kalgoorlie and other goldfields into sovereigns. Its original limestone building in East Perth is still in use.
Today, the Perth Mint is owned by the Government of Western Australia. It refines a significant share of the world's newly mined gold and produces collectible coins and investment bullion sold internationally.
Visiting the mint
Visitors can watch a traditional gold pour, in which molten gold is poured into a mold to form a bar. The exhibition also displays gold nuggets and historic coins.
One highlight is the Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin, made in 2011. It weighs one tonne and is one of the largest gold coins in the world.
The exhibition explains the history of the gold rushes, mining and coin making in Western Australia. Visitors can also see a collection of natural gold nuggets and learn how gold is refined to very high purity. The mint is a short walk from the city center.