Sydney Mint History

The breakthrough of the Gold Rush in NSW in 1851 resulted in mass numbers of untreated gold circulating as an unauthorised form of coinage. In 1853, approval was granted to establish the leading overseas branch of London’s Mint in Sydney to control the ‘Black Market’. The Sydney Mint is of great significance as it is one of the three Australian mints which the Commonwealth government minted the leading Australian coins after the federation of the Australian colonies. The Sydney Mint is a significant historical example of Australian architecture through its physical attributes of the redevelopment project, incorporating contemporary materials and methods while maintaining the historical significance and features of the existing building. A successful

The function of the coining factory within the Mint building was debatably of vaster significance than the Rum Hospital of the old southern wing. When the Sydney Mint opened, it accommodated the most technologically advanced industry within the Australian colonies. The Coin Factory construction was an example of modern uses of industrially manufactured glass and iron. Interestingly, 75% of the glass that was to be used broke, which may have affected the initial plan for the design. The construction of the building encompasses a large use of prefabricated cast iron materials. The use of stone in the building combines structural and cladding methods and was locally derived from the

The Rum hospital and Coining Factory demonstrate evidence of early colonial architecture and building techniques, which demonstrate the development and adaptation of architectural methods to Australia. Its significance also involves the archaeological potential to further reveal information about the Rum Hospital and the Minting process during the 19th and 20th Century. The buildings within the Coining Factory form an ‘L’ shape from the former Library to create a courtyard with the Rum Hospital. The central courtyard has been redesigned with an elevated grass space, emphasized by a lone tree in the corner. This structure has a sandstone façade, corrugated iron roof and is iron framed. On the southern side, plant rooms for air conditioning and a security center have taken over what were initially fitting shops and carpenters’ workshops. The former Factory along the eastern edge has been recently restored into offices for the Historic House Trust