What is the Royal Australian Mint?
The Royal Australian Mint, in Canberra, is the official producer of Australia's circulating coins. Opened in 1965 to make the new decimal coins, it has produced many billions of coins and welcomes visitors to watch production.
The mint was built to produce coins for the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. Its first coins were struck in 1965, and it was officially opened by Prince Philip.
The mint produces all of Australia's circulating coins, from 5 cents to $2. It also makes collector coins, commemorative coins and coins for other countries.
Visiting the mint
Visitors can watch coin production from a gallery above the factory floor, where robots and presses move coins through the process. Entry is free.
The visitor center displays historic coins, including the Holey Dollar and Dump, Australia's first currency, created in 1813 by cutting the center out of Spanish silver dollars.
Visitors can also mint their own $1 coin at a coin press, a popular souvenir. The mint is located in the Canberra suburb of Deakin, not far from Parliament House, and is a popular stop for school groups visiting the capital.