This year, the Royal Australian Mint’s 2026 celebrates the annual theme of Sixty Years of Australian Decimal Currency. To mark the occasion, we have released specially designed Mintmark coin series.
Behind the Design
The 60th anniversary collection combines design elements from all eight of Australia’s standard circulating coins released since 1966, while the packaging celebrates Australia’s historic Changeover Day. Look closely and you’ll find a possum, a frilled neck lizard, a platypus, a lyre bird, an echidna, a kangaroo, an emu and the Southern Cross constellation. The ribbon design also takes its inspiration from the 50c coin.
60 Years of Australian Decimal Currency
Australia’s change to decimal currency on 14 February 1966 was not just a change in numbers; it was a cultural shift. Gone were the days of pounds, shillings and pence and their complex calculations. In their place a simple, modern system of dollars and cents. Schools, businesses and households had to adjust to a new way of counting, and the government launched one of the most memorable public education campaigns in Australian history. Enter “Dollar Bill”, a friendly cartoon character who popped up on television, posters and pamphlets, cheerfully explaining the new system. His catchy jingle, Decimal Currency - The Easy Way! was designed to ease fears and help people make the transition smoothly.
The lead-up to decimalisation took years of planning. A Decimal Currency Board was established to guide the process, and a nationwide competition was held to choose a name for the new currency. While quirky suggestions like the “austral” and “royal” were floated, in the end “dollar” won out as the most practical choice. When Changeover Day arrived, it was met with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Shopkeepers and banks braced for confusion, but thanks to extensive public education, the transition was smoother than expected.
Sixty years on, the spirit of that bold change lives on in these stunning keepsakes, evoking memories of new coins and a nation learning to count, and as a cherished piece of our history.
January releases available via
From Thursday 1 January 10:00am (AEDT)
- Mint Shop*
From Friday 2 January 8:30am (AEDT)
- Online Shop
- Mint Contact Centre (1300 652 020)
- Participating Authorised Distributors
Mintage: 2,026
Price: $950.00
Limit per person: 10
Mintage: Unlimited
Price: $40.00
Limit per person: N/A
Mintage: 5,000
Price: $85.00
Limit per person: 5