It will surprise no one that, with the rise of cashless payments and digital transactions, the production of coins has been dwindling for a decade. Until now.

The Royal Australian Mint has recorded a mysterious rise in demand for its cash in the past year, and distrust of modern technology in tighter economic times is a likely cause.

According to new figures, the mint sent more than 247 million coins into circulation in the 2015-16 financial year. The $140 million value of this cash was the largest in six years. In 2014-15, it was down at $106 million from a high of $169 million in 2005-06.

The organisation's annual report notes an "unexpected surge in demand for circulating coins in Australia with revenue exceeding budget by 24 per cent". Demand fell 25 per cent in the three years to 2015.