Royal Canadian Mint | Ottawa

The Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa is the original and historic home of Canada’s coin production. It’s where artistry, precision engineering, and national history meet. Beyond coins, it also produces precious metal collectibles, gold bullion, and medals—including Olympic medals and foreign currency.

Overview

Location: 320 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

Established: 1908

Operated by: Crown Corporation of the Government of Canada

Specializes in: Collector coins, investment-grade bullion, medals, and foreign coinage

Not to be confused with: The Winnipeg facility (which produces Canada’s circulating coins)

Historical Significance

Originally a branch of Britain’s Royal Mint.

Became fully Canadian-controlled in 1931.

Known for minting Canada's first domestically produced coin (a 1-cent piece in 1908).

Has played a key role in crafting coins and medals for Canada and dozens of other nations.

What You’ll See on a Visit

Guided Tours

Offered in both English and French.

Tours explain:

The coin-making process (from blank to finished coin)

How designs are created and engraved

The history of Canadian currency and iconic coins

View real-time work behind secure glass walls in the production area.

Learn about how the Mint creates gold and silver bullion, intricate collector coins, and commemorative items.

Notable Displays

Pure gold bars and coins—including the famous 99999 purity gold coin.

A gold bar you can try lifting (secured, of course)—weighs about 28 pounds (roughly 13 kg).

Olympic medals made for Vancouver 2010 and other major events.

Rare and record-breaking coins, such as the Million Dollar Coin, a 100-kg, 99.999% pure gold coin (face value $1 million, but worth much more).

Boutique & Collectibles

The on-site Mint Boutique offers:

Limited-edition collector coins

Commemorative items

Mint-branded souvenirs

Many of the coins feature themes like wildlife, Indigenous culture, Canadian history, sports, and space.

Fun Facts

The Ottawa Mint produced British sovereigns and Indian rupees in its early years.

It set a world record for the purest gold ever produced—99.999% purity.

It also mints coins for dozens of other countries, including New Zealand, Colombia, and Norway.

Visitor Info

Tours typically run year-round (check ahead for seasonal availability).

Security is tight due to the high-value materials—no photography inside the production area.

The facility is fully accessible and family-friendly.

Located near major Ottawa landmarks like the National Gallery of Canada, ByWard Market, and Rideau Falls.

Why Visit

The Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa is a unique attraction that combines national pride, technological craftsmanship, and real Canadian treasure. Whether you're a coin collector, history buff, or just curious about how currency is made, the Mint offers a close-up view of precision and legacy in action.