Coin collecting is a rewarding and accessible hobby that starts with a single coin and grows with curiosity, knowledge and discovery. Understanding the details can deepen your appreciation and help you build a meaningful collection.
Whether you’re drawn to unique designs, historical significance or the thrill of the hunt, every collection is as individual as the person behind it. Building your collection begins with learning the basics — identifying different coin types, understanding key terminology and discovering what makes certain coins special.
Whether you’re checking your change for hidden treasures or exploring new releases here at the Mint, this page will guide you through everything you need to know about coin collecting and growing your collection.
Past issue coins
For coins from years gone by, you will need to go through coin dealers. We’ve made a list of Australian and international Mint-accredited distributors on our coin distributors page.
Selling coins
To sell coins, it’s best to contact a professional Coin Distributor. They will need to see the coin to assess its condition before giving you a valuation. Do some research beforehand to help you figure out if you’re getting value for money. You can’t sell your coins to the Mint. That’s because we don’t buy back coins, and we don’t accept deposits of coins directly from individuals, organisations or businesses.
Coin Valuations
At the Mint, we don’t value coins because there are a lot of complexities involved such as a coin’s rarity, condition and interest by other collectors.
A good place to start is by doing a bit of research. You might be able to get a rough value from Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values.
Some professional Coin Distributors can also provide valuations for coins.