Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return damaged or mutilated coins to the Mint?

No. The Royal Australian Mint does not accept deposits of coins directly from individuals, organisations or businesses. What you can do is deposit worn and damaged coins with your bank for full face value. But if you have mutilated coins, your bank will require you to complete a Mutilated Coin Claim Form and your deposit will be forwarded to the Mint for processing. If your coins are accepted the Mint will pay a scrap value, but not the full face value. For more information, see our Worn and Mutilated Circulating Coin Policy and Worn and Mutilated Coin Handling Guide.

For information on valuing or selling coin collections, please refer to FAQ "Does the Mint buy back or value coins?" 

How do I report mutilated, damaged or counterfeiting of coins?

Issues around counterfeiting Australian legal tender are handled by the Australian Federal Police, which is the investigative and enforcement authority in such instances. The AFP can be contacted on (02) 6131 3000.

How can I add my name to the mailing list?

You can receive our newsletters via email by subscribing to our mailing list

Does the Mint buy or refine gold and silver? Does the Mint sell bullion?

The Mint does not buy or refine either gold or silver. Distinct from regular bullion, the Mint does sell investment coins. You can find more information here.

About the Mint

What are the Royal Australian Mint’s contact details?

The Mint's contact details are available on our Contact page.

When was the Royal Australian Mint opened?

On Monday 22 February 1965. More information is available on our About the Mint page.

Does the Mint provide free samples of coins?

No.

Does the Mint produce coins & notes?

The Mint produces coins only. Notes are produced by Note Printing Australia in Melbourne.

Why should I visit the Mint?

The Royal Australian Mint is where Australia's coins are made - and where history, craftmanship, and family adventures come to life. Whether you're exploring rare collections or planning a fun, educational outing with the kids, there's something for everyone to discover. You'll see our temporary exhibiton: Celebrating 60 Years of the Mint, watch coins being made, enjoy hands-on activities, and create memories with your loved ones. We're open 7 days a week, free entry with free on-site parking and a café. Plan your visit today.

About Coins

What is the difference between circulating, uncirculated, frosted uncirculated and proof coins?

Go to Uncirculated, Frosted Uncirculated, Proof and Circulating.

What is the origin of $ sign?

The origin of the “$” sign can be traced back to the reverse design of the Spanish Eight Reales. This coin was widely used by many countries during the late 18th and 19th centuries. It was used in Australia by Governor Macquarie in 1813 to make the famous “Holey dollar” and “Dump”. The reverse design of the eight Reales shows two columns with an intertwining ribbon which are also known as "Pillars of Hercules with a snake". It is this design and the fact that the coin was often known as the “Spanish dollar”, that is thought to have inspired the familiar $ symbol.

About Australian Coins

What is Australia’s rarest coin?

The 1930 penny. Only six proof versions of the 1930 penny are known to exist: three in private hands, one in the Museum of Victoria, the National Gallery of South Australia and the British Museum. In 1998, a privately owned 1930 penny was sold for $225,000.

How is the quantity of the coins to be produced per year (or, mintage) determined?

The quantity of circulating coins is determined by the Royal Australian Mint in collaboration with the commercial banks, based on a number of factors including expected levels of economic activity.

To see a listing of the number of pieces of particular currency produced in various years visit our Circulating Coin Designs pages.

When was the name dollar first approved?

The preferred name for Australian currency, dollar, was approved in 1963. Other names considered by the Government of the time were royal, merino and austral.

Which coin and note denominations were in use during the time of Federation?

At the time of Federation Australia used British coins. The first Australian coins were produced in 1910 (silver) and 1911 (bronze). But, in 1901 the following denominations were considered legal tender:

Coins:

• Farthing (quarter penny)

• Halfpenny

• Penny (used for ‘two up’)

• Threepence

• Sixpence

• Shilling

• Florin (or, two shillings)

• Half crown

• Crown (or, five shillings)

• Half sovereign (or, half a pound)

• Full sovereign (or, one pound)

Notes:

• 10 shillings

• 1 pound

• 5 pounds

• 10 pounds

When was decimal currency introduced in Australia?

On 14 February 1966.

What coin denominations were introduced for decimal currency in 1966?

1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c (all designed by Stuart Devlin). The Decimal Change Over Song lyrics are:

Decimal Change Over Song

In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared for change when the coins begin to mix
On the fourteenth of February 1966.

Chorus:
Clink go the coins, clink, clink, clink
Change over day is closer than you think
Learn the value of the coins and the way that they appear
And things will be much smoother when the decimal point is here.

In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix
On the fourteenth of February 1966.

Lyrics written by Ted Roberts

When was the $1 coin first released?

1984

When was the $2 coin first released?

1988

Who is on the $2 coin?

The image on the Australian two dollar coin represents an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder, designed by Horst Hahne.

Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two dollar coin based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross and Australian flora.

The selected design was inspired by an artwork by Ainslie Roberts and modified in line with coin production requirements. Roberts used some features of Gwoya Tjungurrayi, otherwise known as One Pound Jimmy, as inspiration when creating a portrait depicting a traditional Aboriginal tribal elder. The rest of the features were derived from Roberts’ imagination and visual memory developed after drawing thousands of images of Indigenous people.

For other coin designs go to Reverse Coin Designs.

What is the nominal metal composition of circulating coins?

Metal composition figures are available at Reverse Coin Designs.

When were 1c & 2c coins taken out of circulation?

The last circulating one cent coins were dated 1990 and the last circulating two cent coins were dated 1989. They were progressively removed from circulation starting in 1992.

Are 1c & 2c coins still legal tender?

Yes, 1c and 2c pieces are still Australian legal tender, but they are not considered as ‘currency’ (or, money that is officially released for circulation). This means that you can take your old 1c and 2c coins to the bank and exchange them for currency totalling the same face value.

Are coins produced by the Mint legal tender?

Yes, all coins (including collector coins) currently produced by the Mint are Australian legal tender. Collector coins may be used to purchase goods and services to the value stated on the coin (or ‘face value’), or can be exchanged at a bank for regular circulating currency to the same face value. The Mint does not exchange collector coins for circulating coins.

Are the ‘Holey Dollar’ and ‘Dump’ coins and pre-decimal coins still legal tender?

The Holey Dollar and Dump are the only Australian coins which have had their ‘legal tender’ status removed, or been ‘demonetised’.
Some coins which are no longer in circulation, such as Australia’s pre-decimal coins and the 1 and 2 cent coin are still ‘legal tender.’

Is there a limit on the number of coins I can hand over to the shopkeeper in a store?

Yes. The Currency Act stipulates the rules outlined in the table below.

For more information, please also refer to the Currency Act on the ComLaw website.

What is on the obverse (or heads) of Australian coins?

An image of the reigning monarch. You'll find many coins in circulation with the effigy of the Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II whose latest portrait was designed by Jody Clark. Currently, coins are being released into circulation with the effigy of His Majesty, King Charles III, designed by Daniel Thorne.

You can find more information about the effigies on our coins here.

For more information on the Change of Sovereign, read more here

How many different portraits of the Queen have appeared on Australian coinage?

Since The Queen’s coronation in 1953 six effigies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have appeared on Australian coin obverses. Previous effigies were designed by Mary Gillick (1953), Arnold Machin (1966), Raphael Maklouf (1985), and the current effigy by Ian Rank-Broadley (1998). During 2000, Royal Australian Mint designer Vladimir Gottwald’s effigy was used on the 50c Royal Visit coin only. In September 2018, the sixth effigy to appear on Australian currency was unveiled. The design by Jody Clark has begun its transition onto Australian coinage in 2019 and will continue into 2020. Coins carrying previous portraits of The Queen will remain in circulation.

Where can I find out what commemorative coin design have been released?

You can get a full listing from our Reverse Coin Designs pages.

Can I use an image of a coin on a non-coin product or in a design?

Please see the section Using Coin Designs for further information. If you want to use designs on banknotes, please refer to the Reserve Bank of Australia website for regulations pertaining to notes.

Buying and valuing coins

Where can I purchase coins from previous years?

From Coin Distributors. The Mint sells current issues only. For a full list of Mint-accredited dealers go to Australian Distributors or International Distributors.

How do I tell the difference between an official Royal Australian Mint product and a product produced as a corporate order?

From time to time the Royal Australian Mint custom mints coins that have been privately commissioned. These coins may be Australian legal tender bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II or bear effigies from other countries. Please visit the Consumer Advice section to find out what you need to look out for to tell the difference between the two types.

Does the Mint buy back or value coins?

The Mint does not buy back or value coins. Many issues are involved in assessing the value of a coin including its rarity, condition of the coin and demand for the coin by other collectors. You may like to do some preliminary research yourself. A good place to obtain an approximate value is "Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values". This is a useful reference book, which is updated annually and features the Royal Australian Mint. "Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values" can be purchased online via our eShop, the Contact Centre (1300 652 020) or in the Mint Shop at the Royal Australian Mint.

If you'd like to sell your coin collection, you should contact one of our Coin Distributors. Some of our distributors also offer coin valuations, you can find a list of our distributors who offer coin valuations here.

Are numismatic coins only for collectors?

No. Numismatic (or collector) coins make great gifts and mementoes, often commemorating important events and other issues of interest to the general public. For more information go to Collector coins.

Can I purchase brand new circulating coins featuring the standard designs of our circulating coins (5c to $2) from the Mint?

The Royal Australian Mint produces select circulating coins to be released as part of our Roadshow events, Pop-Up events and Coin Swap Events. Visit our Noticeboard more for information.

I received damaged collector coins in the mail. What can I do?

Please see our terms and conditions on the Warranty and Returned Goods Policy.

If you purchased the Mint products from a coin dealer or Australia Post please direct your enquiry to your supplier.

How long does it take to process an order?

Unless otherwise stated, Retail Domestic orders will be dispatched within 10-14 working days of the order being processed.

I haven't recieved my order, what can I do?

If you have not received your order within six weeks from the time you were billed, it’s likely that your parcel may have been lost in transit after being dispatch from the Mint.

Please contact us via phone: 1300 652 020 or Email: hello@ramint.gov.au and we will investigate with Auspost as to the whereabouts of your parcel. Please supply us with the following details:

• Your name

• Address (including post code)

• Daytime phone number

• Customer number

• Date you placed the order (approximate date if exact is not available)

• Date your credit card/cheque account was deducted

• A short statement confirming that you have not received the parcel

• Your signature