The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 30, July 29, 2007, Article 25

ROYAL MINT EXHIBIT AT THE TOWER OF LONDON

John P Andrew forwarded the following press release on the Royal
Mint's new display as part of the Tower of London's 'Hands on History'
exhibition. Situated in the Arms and Armouries section of the
exhibition, the Royal Mint display will celebrate its connection
to the Tower and the role coin design has played in reflecting
British military life throughout the ages.

"A fascinating new exhibition, 'Hands on History', celebrating ten
centuries of the Tower's history and the Royal Armouries' collection,
which will incorporate a key display on the Royal Mint, its history,
and the manufacture and symbolism of selected coins.

"Coin collectors may want to make a point of visiting the Tower
of London this summer. Starting from 26 July, the Tower plays host
to a fascinating new exhibition, 'Hands on History' a celebration
of ten centuries of the Tower's history and the Royal Armouries'
collection, which will incorporate a key display on the Royal Mint,
its history, and the manufacture and symbolism of selected coins.

"'Hands on History' encourages visitors to go beyond the usual static
museum experience by allowing them to touch and feel items including
bows, swords, muskets and helmets.  Visitors will also have the
chance to handle enlarged coinage portraits of William I, Edward III,
Edward VI, Charles I and George II, and also view replicas of the
coins, while being guided through a 500 year history of the Royal Mint.

"In addition, the Royal Mint's section of the exhibition will
demonstrate the role that coin design has played in British military
history by explaining the symbolism of several coinage designs through
the ages.  Visitors will also learn about the skills and methods
involved in the manufacture of coins, from the hammer-struck
techniques of Norman times to the screw presses of the eighteenth
century.

"Kevin Clancy, Royal Mint Museum Curator, said: 'Over the centuries
the Tower of London has enjoyed many different roles ranging from
record office to observatory, and from a place of execution to a
zoo. Having spent 500 years at the Tower of London, the Royal Mint
is very much part of its history. We are delighted to be involved
in such an innovative and engaging exhibition which highlights
the Royal Mint's strong links with the Tower.

"The longevity of the Tower of London's role as home to the Royal
Mint is only surpassed by its relationship with the Royal Armouries.
The histories of the Royal Mint, the Royal Armouries and the Tower
of London are inextricably linked which helps to explain why these
organisations have come together through Hands on History.'"

"The Royal Mint has a history dating back over 1000 years.  By the
late thirteenth century the organisation was based in the Tower of
London, and remained there for over 500 years. In 1810 the Royal
Mint moved out of the Tower to premises on London's Tower Hill.
In 1967 the building of a new Mint began on its current site in
Llantrisant, South Wales."

[Sometimes procrastination is a good thing.  I was at the Tower of
London in my first week in town, but didn't go in for the tour.
I'm frantically trying to schedule activities for my final weeks in
London, and I hope to get into the Tower to see and report on this
new exhibit.  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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