02/01/2025
The Royal Australian Mint is celebrating 60 years of history with the Mint60 Exhibition, now open until May 12, 2025. This special exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the Mint’s humble beginnings as a well-populated sheep paddock to its recent $6.5 million Museum refurbishment in 2024.
Royal Australian Mint Acting Chief Executive Officer, Emily Martin, said the Mint60 Exhibition was a tribute to the rich history and evolution of the Mint. “This is a rare opportunity to explore the stories, challenges and achievements that have shaped the Mint into what it is today,” Ms Martin said. “The exhibition highlights the work of architect Richard Ure, renowned for designing iconic landmarks such as Black Mountain Tower and the Australian-American Memorial. “It also uncovers surprising secrets such as the discovery of solid rock beneath the Mint during excavation, which, rather than hindering construction, provided a natural security advantage for the vaults.”
Visitors can view historic photographs, including a momentous image of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, officially opening the Mint on February 22, 1965. Despite soaring summer temperatures of 38 degrees, a crowd of 600 gathered to witness the occasion. As part of the opening ceremony, Prince Philip minted a coin and was presented with a Year Set of the newly introduced decimal currency. In a touching gesture, he gifted it back to the Mint for public display, where it remains today.
The exhibition also features a rare photograph of Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the Mint’s machinery during her visit in 1970.
For numismatic enthusiasts, the Mint60 Exhibition showcases never-before-seen coins from the National Coin Collection, including the Centenary of Federation pad printing test pieces, Beauty, Rich and Rare – Daintree Rainforest $100 Coloured Gold Proof Domed coin, and Australian Rainforest Cassowary $200 Gold Proof coin.
Visitors can also admire beautifully designed medallions and tokens, such as the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition bronze medallion and the World Wide Fund for Nature Western Swamp Tortoise token.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is Roxie, a beloved robotic coin packer that served the Mint from 2004 until her retirement in 2021. Affectionately named by the Mint’s coin-packing team, Roxie worked tirelessly, using a camera system to ensure coins were correctly positioned before sealing them into packaging.
“The Mint60 Exhibition is not just about coins. It’s about the people, technology and history behind Australia’s currency. We invite everyone to come and experience this remarkable journey with us,” Ms Martin said.
The Mint60 Exhibition is open now and runs until May 12, 2025.
The Royal Australian Mint is located in Denison Street, Deakin and is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on weekends and public holidays. For further information, visit www.ramint.gov.au.
About the Royal Australian Mint
The Mint is an award-winning, world class Mint and a global leader in the mint industry. The Mint produces circulating coins for Australia and other countries; collectible and investment coins for domestic and international customers; and custom-made medals, medallions and tokens for individual or corporate clients. The Mint is also a national cultural attraction that educates millions of Australians and international visitors on the history of Australia’s decimal currency, and the significance and value of coins.
As an organisation that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations.
Media Enquiries: For media enquiries, or to request an interview, contact media@ramint.gov.au or 6202 3466