The Royal Australian Mint is the custodian of the National Coin Collection (NCC), and we endeavour to preserve Australia’s currency history by protecting:
- Coins
- Tokens
- Medals and medallions
- Plasters, sketches and araldites
- Photographs and films
- Ephemera
- Tools and machines
We care for the collection by preserving ancient and historic objects, and actively add to the NCC with newly minted coins and unique coin-related objects.
Coins are not just pieces of metal that sit in your pocket, they’re pieces of art that tell Australia’s story. We create coins that recognise the people and events that make us who we are. Then through coin collecting and using cash, we can re-remember the moments that make us Australian. We don’t just celebrate milestones in Australia’s history, but we reflect on the tough times; from celebrating AC/DC, to acknowledging the hardships of our ANZAC soldiers.
To reflect Australian society, we maintain the NCC so that we don’t forget where we’ve been and the stories inscribed on coins. As cash use fluctuates, we also keep coins as historical objects, for future Australian’s to learn about how currency worked and our economic history.
Our collection consists of:
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Coins
Our vast coin collection spans across time and nation, from ancient Greece to modern Australia. |
Tokens
Tokens are coin-like objects that are often used to exchange for goods typically produced by independent businesses. |
Medals & Medallions
We have created medals awarded for merit and honour, such as sporting achievement and academic success. |
Sketches, plasters, and araldites
These unique objects were key parts of producing a coin or coin-like object before technological advancement. |
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Photographs and films
We house a collection of imagery dating back to 1964, showing the Mint’s development and the people involved over time. |
Ephemera
Ephemera are objects that are not designed to last, but tell a significant story. Our collection includes ephemera stories from the changeover to decimal currency. |
Machines
The minting process has advanced over the years. We collect retired minting machines to show how this process has changed. |
More to come... |
If you’d like to see more of our collection, we have some of these objects on display at our on-site museum in Deakin, Canberra.