The Mint

Financed with 45,000 gallons of rum, Governor Macquarie's 'Rum Hospital' provided 200 beds for convict patients.

Today the Mint houses Sydney Living Museums' head office, venue hire spaces, a restaurant and caf�, and is also home to the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection.

Constructed between 1811-1816 in the former southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, the Mint was known as the Rum Hospital, built by private contractors in exchange for an exclusive license to import rum.

It was the first branch of the Royal Mint to be built outside of England, established on the site as a result of the discovery of gold in New South Wales. The former hospital wing became the offices for Mint staff and residence to the Deputy Mint Master.

The rear of the building was converted into the coining factory, consisting of locally quarried sandstone and prefabricated cast iron columns, girders and roofing components imported from England.

Upon the new Commonwealth Mints opening in Canberra in 1926, the Mint was shut down and the buildings home to numerous government departments and various law courts.

The Mint was transferred to the Historic Houses Trust in 1998 and the Macquarie Street building is open to the public containing a small display on the history of the site, a cafe, meeting rooms and facilities for the Members of the Historic Houses Trust.

Following a major redevelopment, the Coining Factory now houses the Trusts head office and the important Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection.

Please note The Mint is not a coin museum.