In a unique New Year's Day event, an eight-year-old boy from Melbourne has secured a place in numismatic history by striking the very first coin of 2026 anywhere on the globe.
A Historic Honour for a Young Australian
More than 500 people gathered at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra on the morning of Thursday, January 1, 2026, all hoping for the chance to create the year's inaugural coin. The coveted honour was won by young Julius Jungerth, who travelled from Melbourne for the special occasion.
"It's really exciting to be the first person to make their coin today. I can't wait to show my friends when I get home," the thrilled youngster said after operating the press.
Celebrating Six Decades of Dollars and Cents
The timing of the event holds profound national significance. 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Australia's historic switch to decimal currency. The nation moved away from the old system of pounds, shillings, and pence, officially adopting dollars and cents on February 14, 1966.
To honour this milestone, the special 2026 one-dollar coin features a commemorative design that pays homage to the original artist. It brings together the iconic Australian animals from Stuart Devlin's 1966 coin designs, including:
- The feathertail glider (sugar glider possum)
- Frilled-neck lizard
- Echidna
- Lyrebird
- Platypus
- Emu
- Kangaroo and the Southern Cross
Connecting Heritage with the Present
Royal Australian Mint Chief Executive Officer, Emily Martin, said the public event was a perfect way to celebrate a change that helped define modern Australia.
"For many Australians, the changeover to decimal currency in 1966 was more than a new way to count - it was a symbol of progress and optimism, as well as striking a piece of our own identity," Ms Martin stated.
She also praised the original designer, noting that Stuart Devlin was known as the designer with the Midas touch, an artist who transformed everyday pocket change into extraordinary pieces of art.
In a symbolic gesture, Julius's historic first coin was set into a handcrafted display featuring a piece of parquetry salvaged from the Mint's own heritage-listed floorboards during recent maintenance, physically linking the nation's monetary past with its present.
Australia's decimal transition is remembered as one of the most successful currency changes in history, aided by the memorable 'Dollar Bill' advertising campaign and enduring coin designs that have been used ever since.
The Mint remains open to visitors throughout the holiday period, inviting the public to mint their own commemorative 2026 coin on the gallery press. For opening hours and more information, you can visit the Royal Australian Mint's official website.
