Page "Royal Australian Mint" Paragraph 5

Planning for the mint started in 1959, when it was proposed to move the Royal Mint branch in Melbourne to Canberra.

It was officially opened by H. R. H.

The Duke of Edinburgh on 22 February 1965, coinciding with decimal coinage, which was introduced into circulation on 14 February 1966.

The new mint and the Melbourne Mint operated concurrently as the new coinage was produced.

When the initial demand for decimal coinage was satisfied, the Melbourne mint was closed.

Some staff from the Melbourne mint relocated to Canberra to operate the new mint.

The new mint cost $ 5 million to build, with an additional $ 4 million for equipment.