More than 500 people gathered at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra on Thursday morning for a chance to mint the first coin of 2026 anywhere in the world. The honour went to eight-year-old Julius Jungerth from Melbourne.
"It's really exciting to be the first person to make their coin today. I can't wait to show my friends when I get home," Julius said.
The event marked 60 years since Australia adopted decimal currency, switching from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents in 1966. The commemorative design of the 2026 $1 coin features animals from Stuart Devlin's original 1966 designs, including the feathertail glider, frilled-neck lizard, echidna, lyrebird, platypus, emu, kangaroo and Southern Cross.
Royal Australian Mint chief executive officer Emily Martin said Thursday'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.
Once minted, the first coin was placed in a handcrafted display featuring parquetry salvaged from the Mint's heritage-listed floor during recent maintenance. The Mint is open throughout the holiday period, and the public can mint their own commemorative coin on the gallery press.
