Royal Mint

The former Royal Melbourne Mint stands at the corner of William and La Trobe Streets in Melbourne. It opened in 1872 as a branch of the British Royal Mint. Until 1968, it struck gold coins, silver pieces, and special editions before production moved to Canberra. Designed by J. J. Clark, the building is considered one of the finest 19th-century government buildings in Australia. Its restrained Renaissance-style facade recalls Italian palazzi, and details such as the paired Ionic columns draw on models from Rome and Venice.

Today the heritage-listed building houses the Hellenic Museum, which has presented Greek art, history, and culture since 2007. Inside, you can gain insights into the Greek way of life and its traditions. The historic setting of the former mint provides a fitting backdrop for this cultural exhibition. The building is part of Victoria's heritage and was added to the register of historic sites in 1988.

In addition to the museum offerings, the large ground-floor hall now also hosts civil wedding ceremonies, giving the place a lively social function. The colorful coats of arms on the gates, created by the wood carver Walter Langcake, adorn the entrance and recall the British colonial era. Today the building is part of the management of former state-owned properties and is home to various tenants who use the historic complex.