60th anniversary year for Royal Australian Mint
By CAA | Tuesday, 14 January 2025
This coin was produced to commemorate the Mint's 60th anniversary celebrations theme.
The first one of these coins was set in a piece of marble from taken from the iconic Mint building’s heritage listed floor during recent renovations.
The coins were available in cards under 5 different themes:
Celebrating Community - Our Collectors
To show the Royal Australian Mint appreciation of Australia's numismatic community. Australian collectors, enthusiasts and historians have cherished and preserved the country coinage heritage.
This coin acknowledges the collectors passion and dedication, highlighting the enduring bond between the Mint and its collectors.
Celebrating Mint Staff - Minties
To recognise the deidcated Royal Australian Mint staff, affectionately known as Minties. Their expertise, passion and craftmanship have been the cornerstone of the Mint's success.
This coin pays tribute to their contributions, celebrating the people who bring Australia's coins to life.
Celebrating Money Making - Machines
To pay tribute to the money-making machines, including Titan, Penny, Robbie and other presses. These mechanical tools have helped to produce more than 14 billion coins, embodying precision and efficiency.
This coin honours the technological advancements that have drivent the Mint's success over six decades.
Celebrating Outreach - Mobile Mint
Bringing the minting experience to communities across Australia, the Mobile Mint initiative educated and engaged the public.
The coin commemorates the Mint's commitment to accessibility, education and fostering a deeper connection with numismatists nationwide.
Celebrating The Architect - Richard ure
To honour Richard Ure, the visionary architect behind the design of the building. Ure's modernist approach ensured a blend of functionality and style, creating a landmark that has stood the test of time. Ure also designed the iconic Black Mountain Tower and Australian-American Memorial.
This coin commemorates his legacy and the Mint's architectural heritage.
Richard Minchin Ure was born in Toowoomba and educated at the Sydney Technical High School. He completed an Architecture Diploma course at Sydney Technical College in 1937 and became a Registered Architect. In 1939, Ure joined the Department of the Interior as a Senior Draftsman. During World War II he served in the Australian Army as a Lieutenant (1942-46) and designed a 25 pounder anti-recoil weapon (1942) and a self-steering torpedo with sonic control (1943). Ure became an Associate of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1944 and a Fellow in 1961. He resumed his public service career in 1946 as an Architect Grade 3 in the Department of Works and Housing. He was promoted to Designing Architect (1950-54), Principal Architect, Australian Capital Territory (1954-57), Chief Designing Architect (1957-64) and Senior Assistant Director-General (1964-74) in the Department of Works. At the time of his retirement in 1977 he was First Assistant Secretary, Architectural Division in the Department of Construction.
Ure’s greatest achievement in Canberra is the competition-winning design for the Australian-American Memorial, on which he spent the last ten days of 1949, when entries were due. The original site in Anzac Parade was changed in 1950 to one near the corner of the Parliamentary triangle in Russell, where it was built in 1953 and unveiled by the Queen in 1954. The 79 metre high aluminium-clad column is topped by a stylised eagle and sphere sculpted by Paul Beadle. The flanking pylons and murals in Ure’s design have not been constructed.
When the first Canberra Medallion for meritorious architecture was awarded in 1956 to Robin Boyd’s Fenner House, the judges commended the runner-up, Richard Ure’s own house at 6 Ord Street Forrest for its skilful plan, taking every advantage of the fall in the site and the beautiful view, and the careful detailing. It contributed much to architectural thinking and contemporary design, they added. Among Ure’s major architectural achievements in Canberra are the Allawah (in Reid) and Bega Courts and the adjacent Currong Apartments (1954-6) in Braddon; the Royal Australian Mint (1959-65) and Black Mountain Tower (1970-80). He was created a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1960s and an Officer (OBE) in 1977, the year he retired.
1965
The Royal Australian Mint was opened on 22 February.
1966
On 14 February, Australia converted to decimal currency.
1972
With the Royal Australian Mint up to speed with creating Australia's circulating coins, the Melbourne Mint was closed.
1984
The paper one dollar note was replaced by the one dollar coin.
1988
The paper two dollar note was replaced by the two dollar coin. Australia's first five dollar coin was issued, commemorating the opening of the new Parliament House.
1992
One cent and two cent coins were withdrawn from circulation, requiring cash payments to be rounded to the nearest five cents.
2012
Australia's first coloured circulating coin was released, featuring a red poppy to mark Remembrance Day. The Royal Australian Mint released a domeshaped $5 coin depicting the night sky. Called The Southern Cross - Crux this was a collector coin.
2016
Australia celebrated the 50th anniversary of decimal currency. Special commemorative versions of all current coins were released into circulation featuring images of pre-decimal coins on the obverse. This was the greatest change to the heads side of the coin since the introduction of decimal currency and the first time unique designs have been applied to Australia's 5 cent and 10 cent coins.
I’m very excited to announce this year’s theme for our Mintmark program celebrates our 60th anniversary year.
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, opened the Royal Australian Mint on the 22nd February 1965. Until then, Australia had been striking coins for its own use at the mints in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, but these were the branches of the Royal Mint in London.
It is astonishing to think that every single coin in the pockets and purses of millions of Australians produced since 1965, was made right here, in a quiet Canberra suburb.
- Stuart Baines, Mint’s Director of Museum, Education and Visitor Services
Specifications
- Composition: Aluminum-Bronze
- Weight: 9 g
- Diameter: 25 mm
1 dollar 2025 price guide and values
