THE ROYAL MINT MUSEUM

It’s hard to be brief about the treasures held safely for the nation behind the anonymous door that opens to The Royal Mint Museum, but I’m going to try, so here are some snippets:

The Museum holds a cabinet said to be Sir Isaac Newton’s cabinet when he was Master of the Mint from 1699-1727; pistols from the Tower of London that provided the security of those times and literally thousands of coins from all over the world. Plasters of coins and medals from the late 19th Century, wax impressions of the Great Seals of the Realm and other official Seals from the start of the 20th century, are all preserved here.

One of the great treasures, the Waterloo Medal Roll, lists the names of all those who fought at the Battle of Waterloo. Medal-making is an area of our work that is perhaps not very well-known. It began here in 1817 when we made the Waterloo Medals, and continues to this day with production of medals for the Armed Forces and many other organisations.

However, not all the treasures are locked away in the Museum. Around us on site are historic items brought to Llantrisant from our previous homes at the Tower of London and Tower Hill. Here are the ones that impress me most:

A Royal Mint Seal made by engraver John Croker in about 1709 is part of a small foyer exhibition and, although not ancient, the plaster of the Great Seal of the Realm, created in 2000 by James Butler RA, hangs in the Board Room as its artwork is so well-regarded.

Our talented Designers and Engravers say they take daily inspiration from an antique desk that sits in their work-room. Legend has it that was used by Benedetto Pistrucci, the Italian artist responsible for the famous 1817 ‘St George and the Dragon’ design on Sovereign coins.

To read the complete article, see: Life Inside The Royal Mint – History & treasures surround us! (blog.royalmint.com/life-inside-the-royal-mint-history-treasures-surround-us/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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