Royal Australian Mint

"Sorry, we are not giving out samples today!" But everyone is welcome to take a look around.

Apart from making Australian coins, the mint makes coins for other countries. They also make special commemorative coins that we noted for sale for $3,700.00. These proof coins are a creation of beauty and would be lovely to have but alas we can't afford any. The ones on show today were $100 face value.

The first exhibit is an old reducing machine. The coins are created in a large size in clay. From this the machine is used to make the actual stamp for the coin press. Depending on the coin to be stamped, large pressure is needed to form the coins. I suspect that computers feature heavily in the creation of stamping dies now.

Along from there is an exhibit of commemorative coins. Among these the most recent ones, "creatures of the deep", will be the last to use the late Queen Elizabeth II image. Future coins minted will have the image of King Charles III.

The exhibits continue with many old historical coins and an eagle view of some of the inner workings of the mint.

Now I'm off to check out the gift shop. No! I can't afford this beautiful Daintree or GBR coins.Read more