The Royal Mint Experience

Explore 1,100 Years of History

With a journey beginning over 1,100 years ago, infused in the marvels and discoveries of British coinage history, The Royal Mint Experience features centuries of stories. With its unique and awe-inspiring displays, The Royal Mint Experience tells the story of when and where a coin was struck, and how it reaches our pockets. Featuring some of the rarest coins in British history, it provides visitors with a unique look back in time through the coins and memorabilia of yesteryear.

The Royal Mint experience features six different zones for you to explore, including ‘The Royal Mint and the World’, ‘Making Money’, ‘The Other Side of The Royal Mint’, ‘From Blank to Bank’, ‘The Meaning of Coins’ and ‘Coins and Collecting’. Each zone provides the opportunity to explore the origins of The Royal Mint and trace our journey from the Tower of London to Llantrisant, South Wales.

Exhibition

The exhibition starts at our origins in the ninth century, when our oldest and most notable coin was struck: Alfred the Great’s silver penny. As the exhibition travels through the ages, it highlights the involvement of Sir Isaac Newton as Master of the Mint, the renowned production of commemorative medals produced for Elizabeth I, and the largest project that The Royal Mint has ever faced: decimalisation.

The experience gives you a detailed insight into the history and the process of making a coin; it also highlights the importance of coinage through the eras, including the tone and heritage of a generation, exemplifying art, religion, technology and politics.

The Importance of Coinage

A coin can have historical and political significance. Coins can represent the monarch’s country to others and help capture an era, including a reign. Through the centuries, each monarch has understood this importance and worked to preserve its value. A coin is a small artefact, but it can tell a larger-than-life story, providing insight not only into British history but also that of many other countries around the world.