To celebrate Britain’s ancient royal heritage, The Royal Arms or Shield has appeared on the reverse side of £1 coins since 2008 – but did you know that 6 other UK Coins have different parts of the shield displayed? It’s very obvious when you put them together like this:
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has been in existence for 1100 years, although the minting of coins goes back much further - to the Iron Age (c. 750BC - AD43). During the Roman occupation (AD43-410) unsurprisingly it was Roman coins that were in circulation in Britain. In Anglo-Saxon times, before the Norman Conquest of 1066, there were as many as 70 places around the country minting coins, but by the 13th Century minting was chiefly done in London.
In 1279 the mint moved into arguably the most secure place in the country - The Tower of London - where it remained for over 500years! In the early 19th Century the Royal Mint vacated the Tower for new premises close by on Tower Hill which could accommodate the new steam-powered machines. Then finally in the late 1960s in readiness for decimalisation in 1971, the Mint began the move away from London to its present site at Llantrisant in South Wales.
In 1279 the mint moved into arguably the most secure place in the country - The Tower of London - where it remained for over 500years! In the early 19th Century the Royal Mint vacated the Tower for new premises close by on Tower Hill which could accommodate the new steam-powered machines. Then finally in the late 1960s in readiness for decimalisation in 1971, the Mint began the move away from London to its present site at Llantrisant in South Wales.
The Royal Mint at the Tower
Historic Royal Palaces, in collaboration with the Royal Mint Museum, has put together an exhibition at the Tower of London entitled "Coins & Kings" which explores the story of the Mint during its Tower years.
The exhibition is located on the site of the original Mint (in Mint Street oddly enough) and comprises objects from the museum, interactive displays, and fascinating stories about some of the people and events which took place there. A King's Ransom; the Jewel Thief; even Isaac Newton features. Then there's the story of a mint worker falling into a deep and rather long sleep - not even a King could wake him.
The exhibition is located on the site of the original Mint (in Mint Street oddly enough) and comprises objects from the museum, interactive displays, and fascinating stories about some of the people and events which took place there. A King's Ransom; the Jewel Thief; even Isaac Newton features. Then there's the story of a mint worker falling into a deep and rather long sleep - not even a King could wake him.
The Tower of London features in my Highlights of London Tours, or if preferred I can arrange a specific visit and guided tour of this historic site. (Contact)
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