Striking Gold: 100 Years Of The Perth Mint
By John Mcilwraith
Published by Gold Corporation: East Perth 1999 1st Edition
With Dustjacket
"Striking Gold: 100 Years of The Perth Mint commemorates the centenary of one of Australia's most significant institutions, tracing the history of the Perth Mint from its establishment in 1899 to its hundredth anniversary in 1999. Written by John McIlwraith and Anthea Harris and published by Gold Corporation, the book recounts how the Mint was founded during the great Western Australian gold rushes to refine the rich output of the colony's goldfields and strike sovereigns for the British Empire. Lavishly illustrated and thoroughly researched, it documents the evolution of the Mint from a colonial branch of the Royal Mint into an internationally respected precious metals refinery and producer of bullion, coins and medallions.
The authors explore the many challenges and transformations experienced by the Mint over its first century, including two world wars, the decline and revival of Western Australia's gold industry, the Depression years, and the dramatic technological advances that revolutionised refining and coining processes. Beyond its industrial achievements, the book brings to life the human side of the institution through accounts of its colourful officials and employees, the introduction of female workers, the creation of famous Nugget coins, workplace traditions, practical jokes and even attempted frauds. These stories combine to create a vivid portrait of an institution that has remained at the heart of Australia's precious metals industry for generations.
More than a corporate history, Striking Gold is an important contribution to the broader story of Western Australia's economic development and the enduring significance of gold in Australia's national identity. As historian Geoffrey Blainey observed, while countless books have been written about the goldfields themselves, comparatively little had been recorded about the place where that gold was refined and transformed into coin and bullion. This handsome first edition, complete with its original dustjacket, remains a desirable reference for collectors of numismatics, mining history and Western Australian heritage."
