The Royal Mint unveils the iconic Three Graces Design as part of its Great Engravers Bullion Series

May 31, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

Three Graces Bar Minted Silver 10oz Reverse

The Royal Mint has employed some of the greatest engravers to work on British coinage over its 1,100 year history. Remastered for investors, The Great Engravers minted bullion bar series celebrates their most iconic designs. Inspired by the resurgence of interest in classical art during the early nineteenth century, William Wyon RA recast the daughters of Zeus as three figures representing the recently united nations of England, Scotland and Ireland in his Three Graces design. This design grew to become one of the world’s most sought-after coin designs among numismatists.

The original design has been skilfully reinterpreted on a bullion bar by Royal Mint designer, Daniel Thorne. This new design of the Three Graces symbolises the reputation and history that underpin The Royal Mint’s precious metals offering, whilst breathing new life into a classic design.

Andrew Dickey, Divisional Director of Precious Metals at The Royal Mint comments: “As the UK’s home of precious metals, we are delighted to feature the Three Graces as the next design in our Great Engravers minted bullion bar series, combining intricate and iconic designs with precious metals investment products. Our Great Engravers minted bullion bar series offers an opportunity for investors to own physical gold or silver as part of their investment while also admiring the craftsmanship and details of the bar’s design.”

The Great Engravers Three Graces minted bullion range has been struck on a range of 999.9 fine gold and silver bars. Each bar is finished to The Royal Mint’s bullion standard, with the one-ounce gold and silver bars presented in unique, secure, Royal Mint branded blister packaging.
Each bar is limited in quantity with the bars being priced in line with live metal price.
Numbers quantities are as follows:

• Gold 1oz (4000 units)
• Silver 1oz (36,000 units)
• Silver 10oz (6,100 units)

This isn’t the first time The Royal Mint has remastered the iconic design. In 2021 The Royal Mint remastered the Three Graces on a commemorative coin and the newer versions have already started to command higher prices on secondary market – often fetching up to 10 times their original value.

The Royal Mint has been synonymous with precious metals for over 1,100 years and is the trusted home of precious metals in the UK. The Royal Mint are the primary producer of bullion coins and bars in Britain, as well as offering digital investment opportunities and safe storage, combining a flair for design with expertise in metalwork. The form has evolved from coin to bar to digital asset, including DigiGold and physically backed, exchange-traded commodities, as well as Little Treasures, a gold-backed savings account specifically for children.

To view the full range, visit www.royalmint.com/invest/bullion/three-graces.

The Royal Mint reveals special coin collection celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s reign – featuring The Queen’s signature for the first time on UK coinage.

May 30, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

As people across the world begin to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, has today launched a special three coin collection honouring Her Majesty’s reign.

The first coin in the collection focuses on Her Majesty’s awards and honours, recognising individual service in many forms. The second coin highlights Her Majesty’s work with charities and as a patron, whilst the third and final coin celebrates the Commonwealth, a ‘family of nations’ she has championed throughout her reign.

Each coin in the collection is united by featuring Her Majesty The Queen’s signature in the centre of each design. This marks the first time ever that this has featured on UK coinage during Her Majesty’s reign – a fitting tribute to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “As we celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we are delighted to reveal a coin collection marking Her Majesty’s incredible reign. Each coin design in the collection is united by the inclusion of Her Majesty’s signature, which is the first time this has ever featured on UK coinage during her reign. This special coin collection provides collectors with a wonderful and unique way to mark this incredible milestone in history, making the collection a perfect tribute for anyone looking to celebrate The Queen’s reign.”

The coin collection has been designed by Irish artist and illustrator P. J. Lynch who has represented three key areas of Her Majesty’s reign with richly symbolic designs that were inspired by and feature The Queen’s signature, as a symbol of her personal commitment to others.

P. J. Lynch said of his design, “When creating this series, I initially focused on The Queen’s hands; she is so often shaking hands – it is how she welcomes and communicates with the people she meets. It led me to consider her signature, which is so symbolic, an instrument of state when she signs official documents, but also her personal promise and commitment.”

The coins forming this collection celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s reign, are available as gold Proof, silver Proof Piedfort, silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated editions from The Royal Mint’s website, www.royalmint.com/queens-reign.

The Royal Mint celebrates His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge’s 40th Birthday

May 23, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

Thomas Docherty Studio Shots for Prince Williams 40th – 12

Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, designer and engraver at The Royal Mint, the coin features Prince William’s portrait, depicted at a three-quarter angle to present a dynamic quality, and set amid his Royal Cypher and the number ‘40’ to reflect the stature and maturity of the future King.

Available in a range of base and precious metals finishes, the commemorative design has been struck on the opposite side of his grandmother’s effigy, the fifth definitive portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Jody Clark. On the £5 coin struck in silver and gold, the edge inscription: ‘HRH THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’ complements the theme with an original numismatic feature.

The new range also includes a limited-edition two-coin set featuring a quarter ounce gold celebration coin and a 1982 Sovereign, marking the year the Prince was born. The collection will also include a limited-edition coin made of 5oz of fine gold and minted to the highest quality to mark the special occasion. Combining traditional craftsmanship and innovative laser technology, the high relief finish gives the portrait an enhanced three-dimensional appearance.

The original maker of coins has been trusted to tell the story of monarchs for centuries and the new release is the first UK coin featuring an individual portrait of HRH available at The Royal Mint.

Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “As the trusted maker of coins for the monarchs, we are celebrating His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge’s landmark 40th Birthday with a commemorative coin fit for a future King. The elegant design features a portrait of HRH alongside his Royal Cypher and the number ‘40’, which pays homage to the maturity and grace of the Prince who has become a senior member of the Royal Family, a devoted husband and a loving father of three, through the eyes of the world. Marking this extra special occasion, we have also struck a limited-edition gold coin made with 5oz of fine gold and struck in high relief to elevate the artistry of the design. Our limited-edition precious metal coins combine fine craftsmanship and rarity, making them an attractive keepsake for collectors and investors.”

Speaking of the design, Royal Mint designer Thomas T. Docherty said: “The design strikes a balance between the fresh energy of His Royal Highness being a young dad with the ceremonial nature of his Royal position. A three-quarter angle of the portrait creates a more dynamic portrait rather than a traditional side-on profile. I used certain clay sculpting techniques on a digital platform to achieve the style needed for the design, to translate effectively from two to three dimensions. Using technology, we can now produce designs and sculptures with better efficiency compared to when I began my career 17 years ago. There’s a high level of skills and craftsmanship needed to sculpt designs – the tools are different but the principles remain the same.”

The project has been a labour of love for the 40-year-old father-of-two from Glasgow who moved to South Wales to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University twenty years ago. The experienced coin designer joined The Royal Mint in 2005 and his works include the 2008 £2 coin commemorating the centenary of the 1908 London Olympics, the Remembrance Day 2016 Alderney £5 coin and the 2018 Bicentenery of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein £2 coin.

Thomas added: “Even though our lives are a million miles apart, I understand how it feels to have just turned 40 and to have a young family of my own, so I wanted to ensure I captured His Royal Highness accurately at this stage in his life. I am incredibly proud to have designed and sculpted this coin, it will forever stand as a major achievement and highlight in my career.”

The HRH The Duke of Cambridge range is available from today at The Royal Mint.

The Royal Mint launch ‘886’, a jewellery division using gold recovered from electronic waste

May 20, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint has unveiled a new jewellery division – ‘886 by The Royal Mint’ – which combines its’ 1,100 years of British craftsmanship with the latest technology, using high quality gold recovered from electronic waste.

The jewellery and homeware division takes its name from the period The Royal Mint was founded, circa 886, and the inaugural collection features classic hoop earrings, T-bar chains, simple studs and elegant cuffs. Each piece is crafted from solid gold or silver, using ancient techniques more commonly used in coin and medal-making. The precious metals are struck and pulled rather than cast, increasing the density of the metal.

The expansion into luxury jewellery and homeware will help preserve the rare skills of The Royal Mint’s craftspeople, while promoting sustainable design and manufacturing. Around 70% of the collection is currently produced in-house at The Royal Mint.

With 7% of the world’s gold estimated to be contained in electronic waste, The Royal Mint has announced plans to build a plant in South Wales to recover precious metals from mobile phones and laptops. It is using patented new chemistry – created by Canadian clean tech start-up Excir – to recover over 99% of the precious metals contained within circuit boards.

Construction of the plant is underway, and will be located within The Royal Mint’s highly secure site to provide a stream of precious metals directly into the business. When fully operational in 2023, The Royal Mint expects to process up to 90 tonnes of UK-sourced circuit boards per week – generating hundreds of kilograms of gold per year.

Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver Gordon Summers working on a cufflink, part of the new 886 collection

Sean Millard, Chief Growth Officer for The Royal Mint, said: “886 by The Royal Mint combines the best of our craftsmanship and heritage with innovation – ushering in an exciting new chapter for both The Royal Mint and wider industry. We are here to challenge perceptions around precious metals and help to secure the future of British craftsmanship.”

“Working with our partners Excir, we have introduced world first technology to the UK capable of recovering precious metals from electronic waste in minutes. We estimate that 99% of the UK’s circuit boards are currently shipped overseas to be processed at high temperatures. When fully operational our plant will process tonnes of electronic waste each week, providing a new source of high quality gold direct to The Royal Mint.”

The Royal Mint marks 50 years of Pride UK with first LGBTQ+ coin

May 18, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

Asad Shaykh with 50th Anniversary of Pride 50p

The coin has been designed by Dominque Holmes, an east London artist, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist with a varied artistic background that includes tattoo artistry. The coin design features Pride in London’s values of Protest, Visibility, Unity, and Equality in rainbows. With state-of-the-art colour printing technology, the iconic colours of the Pride progression flag are recreated with special-edition colour versions of the silver and BU coins.

Since the first official Pride UK event in 1972, the Pride UK movement has been one of significant political and cultural importance. Now in its 50th year, Pride UK is more popular than ever and continues to fight against societal oppression and stand up for rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Asad Shaykh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Pride in London said, “It was a privilege to visit The Royal Mint as part of our partnership and see our coin being made.

“It humbles me greatly that the words that I coined for the brand, PROTEST, VISIBILITY, UNITY & EQUALITY – will be on an actual coin, opposite the Queen. This queer brown immigrant has come a long way, powered by hope, love and this city. Nowhere in the world had this been possible, except the UK. Pride in London feels very proud today.”

Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “The 50th Anniversary of Pride UK is a milestone celebration, and it is a privilege to mark 50 years of progress with this 50p coin. This is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Britain’s LGBTQ+ community, with colour printing technology capturing the spirit of Pride UK with its iconic rainbow colours.

“It was an honour to host representatives from Pride in London at The Royal Mint recently to strike their own coins as part of the launch and discuss with them our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the business and show how we are reinventing for the future.”

As part of the launch, The Royal Mint will make a financial contribution to London LGBT Community Pride C.I.C. The 50p will not enter circulation but will be available to purchase via The Royal Mint website this summer. The range includes gold, silver, and brilliant uncirculated versions.

The launch of the new LGBTQ+ coin forms part of The Royal Mint’s wider commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Alongside D&I training for all employees, a network of D&I Champions has been established to support The Royal Mint’s wider vision of celebrating differences for an inclusive future.

This commitment also extends to an LGBTQ+ society for employees at The Royal Mint; established last year. Named ‘Enfys’, the Welsh word for Rainbow, the group has hosted Q+A sessions, shared their personal stories and encouraged visibility and allyship amongst employees.

To find out more information about the 50th Anniversary of Pride 50p and to register for updates please visit The Royal Mint website.

Kenyan-born British artist Michael Armitage to design new £1 coin

May 10, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has named Kenyan-born British artist Michael Armitage as the designer of a new £1 coin which will enter circulation in 2023, marking the 40th anniversary of the modern £1 coin.

The new £1 coin design will be minted at The Royal Mint, who will also release a special collector’s edition to coincide with the launch in early 2023. The new design will celebrate the culture, creativity, heritage and history of the UK in the 21st century.

It is the first change to the £1 since 2017, when a new 12 sided coin replaced the former ‘round pound’ and introduced a range of anti-counterfeit features. The new £1 design will retain these safety measures and feature the fifth effigy of Her Majesty the Queen on the obverse.

The son of a Yorkshireman and Kikuyu mother, Michael Armitage was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1984 and now lives works between London and Nairobi. He trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, London and the Royal Academy Schools. In January 2022, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, elected him a Royal Academician in the category of painting.

Speaking at the official opening of the RCA’s Rausing Research and Innovation Centre, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “I am delighted that Michael will lend his vision to the creation of this new £1 coin design in its 40th anniversary year. This coin will symbolise the rich tapestry of modern Britain and honour our deep heritage and history.”

Coin artist Michael Armitage said: “It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with The Royal Mint on the design of the new £1 coin. It is an honour to be part of the lineage of coin-making in the United Kingdom and I am grateful to the Chancellor and the selection panel for the opportunity to contribute to this history in considering what it is to be part of Great Britain today.”

Chief Executive of the Royal Mint, Anne Jessopp said: “The £1 coin is a symbol of Britain that is recognised around the world. As such we are delighted to work with Michael Armitage to create a new design that celebrates the people of Britain and our diverse culture. It is the first new £1 design since 2017 and will combine our 1,100 years of craftsmanship, with cutting edge design to champion modern Britain.”

Michael Armitage was chosen by an independent panel with expertise in coin design and art. The panel was established to advise the Chancellor on the artistic merits and ideas behind proposals put forward by selected candidates.

Further information on the history and previous designs of the £1 can be found here: £1 Coin | The Royal Mint.