The Very Highest Quality Coins...


The Birmingham Mint Coins Index Chard 24 Carat Home Page

A View of the Birmingham Mint in the 19th Century
A View of the Birmingham Mint in the 19th Century

Countries
Birmingham Mint Logo
Birmingham Mint Logo

The Birmingham Mint
The Birmingham Mint went into liquidation in March 2003, after 209 years existence as one of the world's leading mints. It was formed from Matthew Boulton and James Watt's Soho Mint and Ralph Heaton's, taking in the King's Norton Metal Company along the way.
The Soho Mint, under Matthew Boulton's initiative was the foremost mint of its day, mainly due to its industrialisation, and the design, building and installation of innovative and powerful machinery. Boulton was one of the leaders of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt is famous for harnessing steam power.

We note that the mint was acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd in 2003, presumably from the liquidators.

Coin Rarities Start to Appear
One of the most important effects as far as coin collectors will be concerned is that in 2003, a number of very rare coin issues have found their way onto the market. These will have included sample coins similar to printers' proofs, and small quantities of stray coins from aborted production orders. So far we have seen three of these, but there must undoubtedly be others of which we are not aware. Those we have seen so far include:-

  1. 1973 Ecuador 2 Sucres
  2. 1975 Mozambique 1 Centimo
  3. "1794" Pattern Euro Coin Set
More To Come?
We feel sure that a number of other rarities must have already come onto the market, and likely that others will continue to do so. This may include previously unknown patterns of coin issues from long ago, or off-metal strikes from recent times.


Further Birmingham Mint History
We reproduce the following from the Birmingham Mint's website:-

Established in 1794, The Birmingham Mint has, through the years, earned a global reputation for its' high quality products.
The company was closely involved in the rapid growth in the use of coinage around the world during the 19th and 20th centuries. Throughout this time The Birmingham Mint has been responsible for many of the important developments in minting technology.
Today, it is the largest independent Mint in the world and it employs the most sophisticated plant and equipment in its' pursuit of excellence. At the beginning of the 21st century, The Birmingham Mint proudly combines the best of its' traditions with the cutting edge of innovation and expertise in the twin spheres of design and manufacture.
A Short History
Minting Processes
We hope The Birmingham Mint will not object to us repeating their page detailing minting production processes.


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