Some 45 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ordered the cessation of all minting activity at the Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint, it is with honour that Melbourne Mint operates today from the original Mint building – a building that has stood tall through 143 years.
Initially constructed in 1872, The Melbourne Mint went on to become the first Australian Mint to strike the nation’s official currency in 1916. In the ensuing years, the Mint struck and issued circulating Australian coins up until 1964 before then assisting in the preparation for Australia’s Decimal Currency changeover in 1966.
Today, the name has been restored to the field of numismatics and it is our honour to bring this coin – the first issued under the Melbourne Mint name since 1968 – to your attention.
Made in Australia, and featuring the most controversial of our Folk Heroes, the official 2015 Ned Kelly Silver Proof Coin spotlights one of the most famous of the early prominent Australians.
Thought to be either a victim of Police Harassment or, conversely, a brutal cold-blooded murderer, the story of Ned Kelly and his capture following a gunfight in Glenrowan has become part of Australia’s folklore. Depicting Ned’s famous ‘bulletproof” helmet this 99.9% PURE SILVER coin also pays tribute to the Old Melbourne Gaol where Edward “Ned” Kelly met his ultimate demise in 1880. Such is Life!
A highly detailed, premium collectable, the 2015 Ned Kelly Silver Coin has been struck by The Perth Mint on behalf of Melbourne Mint in Proof quality – the highest of all minting qualities – to a ridiculously small Limited Edition of just 5,000 coins. Measuring 20mm in diameter, each of these Tuvalu Legal Tender coins is set into a detailed, numbered presentation card, confirming the specifications and the limited edition of this fascinating silver collectable.
The Melbourne Mint’s Ned Kelly Commemorative issue is due for release worldwide on March 2, 2015 at a recommended retail price of A$24.95.
