Changes at the Mint

As always January 1 is change-over day at the Royal Australian Mint. The dies in the coin presses at the Visitors’ Gallery are replaced. Visitors can strike their own $1 coins mint marked with a ‘C’ to denote striking for Canberra.

$1 mint mark coins have a new image every year, in 1999 a portrait of an ANZAC soldier commemorates the spirit of The Last Anzacs. Throughout 1999 mint mark coins will be released for other capital cities: ‘A’ (Adelaide), ‘M’ (Melbourne), ‘B’ (Brisbane), and ‘S’ (Sydney).

With the assistance of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, the Royal Australian Mint has designed unique packaging, where each version of the $1 mint mark (ie. ‘C’, ‘A’, ‘M’, ‘B’ and ‘S’) reflects a different aspect of the battle at Gallipoli, in 1915.

All 1999 $1 mint mark coins will bear the new effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by Ian Rank-Broadley. This effigy is the first update since 1985.

Closer to Anzac Day a fine silver proof version of The Last Anzacs coin will be produced to the highest possible minting quality.

More information or the Mint’s catalogue, Mint Issue, may be obtained by calling 1300 652 020 (charged as a local call).