THE ROYAL MINT

When Melbourne was first surveyed in 1836 the area bounded by William and Queen Streets between Lonsdale and La Trobe Streets was reserved for ‘public purposes’. The first cricket match in Melbourne between the military and civilian gentlemen was play on the site in November 1838 near the corner of William and La Trobe Streets. From 1839 at south eastern corner of William and Little Lonsdale Streets there were Police Barracks. The land from there to the La Trobe Street corner was an agistment area for the horses used by the mounted troopers.

The building was renovated in 1858 to make it suitable for concerts, balls, bazaars, flower shows and receptions.

Towards the end of the 1860’s the wooden structure was a picture of desolation in contract to the fairy palace appearance of its youth or heyday. It had outlived its usefulness and was demolished.

In August 1869 the construction of the Mint Buildings was undertaken jointly by officials of the British Royal Mint and the Victorian Public Works Department.

Gold coins were minted until around 1931 until it was superseded by the new Commonwealth Mint in Canberra when decimal currency was in introduced. The administrative building with its gatehouse is the only surviving part of the Mint complex and the one that you see today.