worn and damaged | circulating coin policy
The Royal Australian Mint (the Mint) is the sole supplier of circulating coins in Australia. The Mint seeks to have high quality coins in circulation. This maintains confidence in Australia's currency and makes it more difficult for counterfeit coins to be passed. The circulation of worn, damaged or mutilated coins hinders the smooth operation of coin operated and coin handling machines and may confuse or mislead the public.
The Mint accepts for redemption at face value all worn Australian circulating coins and those damaged as a result of normal use, or an accident, from all authorised deposit-taking institutions, such as banks, and cash-in-transit businesses, for example, armoured cash carriers. The Mint does not accept coins directly from individuals, businesses or other organisations. Anyone with coins that are worn or damaged through normal use or accident should deposit these coins with their bank.
The Mint does not accept for redemption at face value any Australian circulating coins damaged in any other way. This includes coins damaged in industrial processes, melted coins, coins that are attached to another object, have been drilled or punctured by any means or objects which may have been coins but are no longer identifiable (mutilated coins).
The Mint does accept deposits of some mutilated coins made through the banking system under strict conditions and accompanied by a claim form, and will reimburse the depositor with the lesser of face value and the metal value contained in these coins, less a handling and administration fee.
Melted coins, coins that are attached to another object, and objects which may have been coins but are no longer recognisable as coins will be rejected by the Mint.
Any suspicious deposits will be referred to the Australian Federal Police.
The Mint does not accept deposits of foreign coin.
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