The Mint
Formerly the ‘Rum Hospital’ and the Sydney Royal Mint, this site is rich in history
10am–5pm
About the building
Building information
The Mint is the oldest surviving public building in the Sydney CBD. Built in 1816, it was originally the southern wing of a general hospital for convict patients, and was known as the ‘Rum Hospital’, having been built for a cost of 45,000 gallons of rum.
The hospital closed in the 1840s. Following the discovery of gold in NSW in 1851, the British government established a Sydney branch of the Royal Mint in the southern wing. The building was converted into offices and a Bullion Office for receiving gold, and new buildings constructed to the rear contained the factory for processing the gold into coins.
Today, the site is home to Museums of History NSW’s head office, the Caroline Simpson Library, the Bullion Store cafe and various venue hire spaces.
Visitors can explore the rooms of the former hospital where colonial surgeons and apothecaries once lived and examine the archaeological remains of the Sydney Royal Mint in the courtyard and rear buildings.
1816
ArchitectUnknown
AlterationsCaptain Edward W Ward and Joseph Tricket, 1855; FJMT and Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners, 2004
AwardsRoyal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards – Sulman Medal for Public Architecture, 2005
Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards – Greenway Award for Conservation, 2005
Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Awards) – Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, 2005
Find out more about this building here
The Mint
10 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Entry details
The ‘Rum Hospital’ building, courtyard and entrance of the rear building
10am–5pm
Members hour: MHNSW Members receive exclusive access from 9am–10am
4.30pm
Need to Know
There is a ramp to the side of the ‘Rum Hospital’ building that provides access to the ground floor. The first floor is accessed via stairs only. The courtyard and rear building are accessible. Due to the heritage nature of the site, there are uneven surfaces throughout the site and hospital building
Cafe: Bullion Store. Members get 10% off food and drink
Talks, tours and more
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