Collection
One cent, 1966
Preparing for the change to decimal currency
The Perth Mint
On display in the Pennies and Cents: Small change display case.
On 22 February 1965 the Commonwealth of Australia's first national mint - the Royal Australian Mint - was opened in Canberra to prepare for the changeover to Australian decimal currency in early 1966. All previous mints had been opened as branches of the Royal Mint governed by London.
A limited competition to design a suite of new coins was held between just six designers. The designs of Geelong-born sculptor and goldsmith Stuart Devlin, showcasing native Australian animals, were selected. Devlin's design for the one cent coin features a feathertail glider, the world's smallest gliding mammal, which has an average weight of only 12 grams!
A new Royal Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was designed by British sculptor and designer Arnold Machin. It depicts a young but regal Queen, wearing the diamond tiara given to her as a wedding present by her grandmother, Queen Mary.
The Perth Mint assisted the new national mint by producing much of the new low-denomination decimal coinage. It is difficult to know exactly when this one cent coin, dated 1966, was minted as The Perth Mint started minting 1966 one cent pieces as early as 1964.
Over twenty years, between 1964-1984, The Perth Mint struck 29 million one cent and a staggering 829 million two cent coins. In February 1992 one and two cent coins were removed from circulation.