Last and First Coin of the Year Events

Last Coin of the Year

Join us at the Mint on the last day of the year for your chance to secure the last coins produced for the year.

On December 31 at 3:45 pm, the Mint will hold a draw at the Mint to select the last ten customers to strike a coin in 2022. Each lucky winner will then enter the Mint to strike their coin and receive a certificate authenticating their last coin for 2022.

Due to health and safety concerns, the Mint requests no visitors queue at the Mint prior to 1.00 pm on New Year’s Eve.

All queued attendees will receive a ticket in the draw. Ticketing closes: 3.30 pm.

This is an outdoor all-weather event, please come prepared for the weather of the day.

First Coin of the Year

Join us at the Mint for your chance to strike the first coin in the world for 2023!

Visitors to the Mint on 1 January 2023, between 6:30am and 8:00am will receive one (1) ticket to go into the ballot to declare 100 people to receive the first coins of 2023. All queued attendees will receive a ticket.

Due to health and safety concerns, the Mint requests no visitors queue at the Mint prior to 6.00 am on New Year’s Day.

All queued attendees will receive a ticket in the draw. Ticketing closes: 8.00 am.

This is an outdoor all-weather event, please come prepared for the weather of the day.

Want to know more about these events? Please read the FAQ below

More information on the change of effigy: https://bit.ly/3PkdAwz

Royal Australian Mint – FAQs

General

Q. Will these events be held inside the Mint?

A. Due to the large crowd anticipated for the Last and First Coin events, these events will be held outdoors this year, with only the winners entering the building to strike their coins.

Q. What does ‘all-weather event’ mean?

A. These events will be held outdoors, rain or shine.* Please come prepared for the weather of the day

*In the instance that the weather is deemed hazardous to attendees the event may be postponed or cancelled.

Q. Why isn’t the Mint doing an online ballot this year?

A. The online ballot process was put in place to allow customers to continue to enjoy the Last and First Coin of the Year events during the COVID affected period. With business returning to normal, the Mint has resumed the traditional format for these events.  

Q: I live overseas/interstate. Why can’t I enter?

A. This event is only open to those attending the Mint in person on the respective days.

Q:  Are these coins real currency or just a collector’s item?

A. These coins are Australian legal tender. They were minted by the Royal Australian Mint and have gone through the legislated approval process (Currency Determination).

Q. Why are you imposing limits on the gallery press coin per person per line-up?

A.  This year we expect to see a much higher attendance for these events due to the change of effigy, with many hundreds of visitors expected to visit in the first few days of the year. To ensure all have access to strike their own coin, customers are asked to strike only one coin if there is a line for the gallery press.

Q. What are the limits on the gallery press coin? Is there a limit on how many gallery press coins I can strike?

A.  The Mint will be applying the following limits to customers striking coins on the Mint’s gallery presses, due to anticipated high visitor numbers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

  • Wednesday 28 December – Friday 30 December – 5 coins per customer per day
  • Saturday 31 December & Sunday 1 January  – 1 coin per customer per day
  • Monday 2 January – Wednesday 4 January – 5 coins per customer per day

Outside these dates the normal limits will apply.

Q: Will you be holding a coin swap for these coins in the future?

A. At this time we wish to assure our loyal and dedicated collectors that the Mint will resume Roadshow and Coin Swap events in 2023. At which time the Mint will strive to visit as many towns and cities across each state and territory.

Q. Will amenities be provided at this event?

A.  Port-a-loos will be provided and refreshments will be available.

Q. I would like to provide feedback about the program. How do I do this?

A. You can email hello@ramint.gov.au with your feedback and it will be passed onto the appropriate areas in the Mint.

Last Coin

Q. When can I start lining up for the Last Coin of the Year?

A. Visitors are welcome to line up for the Last Coin of the Year from 1.00 pm at the front of the Mint.

Q. How many people will get tickets in the draw?

A. All attendees in line will receive tickets for the random draw of winners. Attendees can commence lining up from 1.00pm. Between 1.00pm and 3.30pm a numbered wristband will be given to each attendee as they move into a waiting area between the Mint and Questacon where refreshments will be available.

Q. When will the last coin winners be drawn?

A.  The 10 Last Coin of the Year winners will be drawn at 3.45pm.

Q. How many Last Coins will be drawn?

A.  In line with previous events the last 10 coins will be drawn, with certificates provided to authenticate these coins.

Q. When will the gallery press close on 31 January 2022?

A.  The Mint will close the presses to the public at 3.30 pm 31 January 2022.

First Coin

Q. Can I come to the Mint on New Year’s Day? / When can I start lining up on New Year’s Day?

A. Visitors are welcome to line up for the First Coin of the Year from 6.00 am and the Mint will be open from 10am on New Year’s Day to the public.

Q. How many people will get tickets in the draw?

A. All attendees in line will receive tickets for the random draw of winners. Attendees can commence lining up from 6.00am. From 6.30am a numbered wristband will be given to each attendee as they move into a waiting area between the Mint and Questacon where refreshments will be available. 

Q. When will the last coin winners be drawn?

A.  The draw for the first 100 coins of the year will commence at 8.20am.

Q:  What is the 2023 theme?

A.  Stay tuned to our social channels and the Mint website, the 2023 ‘C’ Mintmark Gallery Press Theme will be announced on 1 January as has been the tradition of past events.

Q:  Which obverse will feature on the First Coin of the Year?

A. The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse, featuring the Jody Clark portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the obverse will have one notable addition – Her Majesty’s years of reign - 1952–2022. More information on this obverse can be found here

Q:  When will we know who won the First Coin of the Year

A. Stay tuned to our social channels and the Mint website, the 2023 ‘C’ Mintmark Gallery Press Theme and First Coin of the Year winner will be announced on 1 January as has been the tradition of past events