The Royal Australian Mint has marked the 60th anniversary of Australia’s switch to decimal currency with the launch of its 2026 Mintmark Suite, drawing hundreds of coin enthusiasts to Canberra.
More than 500 people gathered at the Mint on New Year’s Day to witness the striking of the first 2026 coin anywhere in the world.
That honour went to eight-year-old Julius Jungerth, from Melbourne, who minted the inaugural collectible coin celebrating six decades since Australia replaced pounds, shillings, and pence with dollars and cents.
“It’s really exciting to be the first person to make their coin today,” Julius said. “I can’t wait to show my friends when I get home.”
Australia’s decimal changeover on 14 February 1966 is regarded as one of the most successful currency transitions in history, aided by the famous “Dollar Bill” campaign and designs that are still used today.
The commemorative design unites the animals featured on the original 1966 coin designs — the feathertail glider (or sugar glider possum), frilled-neck lizard, echidna, lyrebird, platypus, emu, and kangaroo, as well as the Southern Cross — on a single coin.
Stuart Devlin AO CMG, a goldsmith and silversmith, won a national design competition in 1964 to create Australia’s first decimal currency. He designed all of Australia’s circulating coins (including the now withdrawn one- and two-cent pieces), except for the $2 coin.
Later based in England, he was appointed goldsmith and jeweller to the Queen in 1982, and in 1989 became a member of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Designs of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations.
Over his career, he designed coins for 36 countries, as well as the Sydney 2000 Olympic Coin Program, comprising eight gold, 16 silver, and 28 bronze coins, and the Order of Australia medals.
Mint CEO Emily Martin said today’s event was a fitting way to celebrate a milestone that shaped modern Australia.
“For many Australians, the changeover to decimal currency in 1966 was more than a new way to count — it was a symbol of progress and optimism, as well as striking a piece of our own identity,” Ms Martin said.
“This year’s Mintmark Suite celebrates that spirit of ingenuity and national pride that still shines through our coins today.”
Once minted, the first coin of 2026 was placed in a handcrafted display incorporating parquetry salvaged from the Mint’s heritage-listed floor during recent maintenance works, linking the anniversary to the building’s own history.
The first 100 coins struck on the day were accompanied by certificates of authenticity.
The Mint is open throughout the holidays. Visitors can mint their own commemorative coin on the gallery press.
For further information and opening hours, visit www.ramint.gov.au.
