Royal Australian Mint

The nation's producer of circulating coins occupies a purpose-built facility in the Canberra suburb of Deakin, opened in 1965. A public gallery lets visitors watch coins being struck through viewing windows onto the factory floor and trace the history of Australian currency from colonial tokens to modern commemorative issues. Interactive displays explain how blanks are pressed and how the mint has struck coins for other countries as well. Visitors can even operate a press to make their own souvenir coin, making it a popular stop for families.