Collector News

Two Hundred Years of the Crowned Shield

4th November 2024

As we mark 200 years since Jean Baptiste Merlen’s Royal Arms first graced our flagship coin.

The Rarest UK £2 Coins

21st August 2023

In this article, we will explore the history behind the coin and discover the nine rarest £2 coins to be produced by The Royal Mint.

The Rarest 50p Coins

17th April 2023

A select few of these superb coins have become some of the rarest 50p coins ever struck by The Royal Mint.

Animals on Coins

27th August 2024

Our Animals on Coins Collection is a fun and accessible way to discover the joy of collecting.

Trial of the Pyx

25th July 2024

Established more than 700 years ago, the Trial of the Pyx is one of the oldest judicial procedures that still exists today and is an integral part of everything The Royal Mint does.

Uncover the Stories Behind Your Collections

7th September 2023

Each coin comes with a story, steeped in the history of how it was made and why that theme became commemorated on coinage.

Coin Names and Nicknames

10th August 2020

We present to you a selection of our best attempts at referencing and researching the murky history of coin nicknames.

Discover the Joy of Collecting

7th September 2023

Whatever your interest, we can help you commemorate your passions through fascinating coin collections and discover your next greatest find.

What is a Die Trial Piece?

16th January 2024

A die trial piece is a coin-like piece that we produce when we are developing new coins and techniques at The Royal Mint.

Rare Coins

8th November 2023

The Royal Mint has been creating coins since AD 886 some of these coins could possibly be rare and might be very valuable.

Guide to getting a fair price for a coin

7th September 2023

If you have a coin and are unsure about its history, rarity or authenticity we offer a range of services at The Royal Mint.

The Decimal Debate

10th October 2017

Decimalisation had been the subject of passionate debate for centuries. As early as the sixteenth century, mathematicians and others had seen the advantages of a decimal system.

The UK Coins That Were Never Made

31st October 2017

Britain adopted decimal currency in 1971 but the process of designing the new coins actually began ten years earlier.

The Undated 20p Coin

14th August 2018

In November 2008 a number of 20p coins were incorrectly minted, resulting in the coins being undated.

Making The Change To Decimal Coinage

11th October 2017

The changeover to decimal currency was no small task: the public and businesses of Britain required all the necessary information to make the changeover as smooth as possible.

Maundy Money

16th January 2020

The first Maundy money ceremony took place in the reign of Charles II, when the king gave people undated hammered coins in 1662.

A New Design For The Nation’s Coins

11th October 2017

The first decimal coins that appeared in the United Kingdom back in 1968. 40 years later, in 2008, we wanted to update the coins with a fresh set of designs.

Christopher Ironside’s Designs

11th October 2017

Britain’s first decimal coins were designed by the sculptor Christopher Ironside FSIA FRBS OBE. We asked his widow, Jean, what it was like to live through that momentous time.