Behind The Scenes At The Royal Mint | Minting the New Angel Coins

Key Concepts

• The Angel Coin: A historic gold coin featuring St. Michael slaying a dragon, symbolizing good triumphing over evil.
• Touching for the King’s Evil: A medieval/Tudor/Stuart era ceremony where monarchs touched sufferers of scrofula (a form of tuberculosis) while holding an Angel coin, believing in the monarch's divine healing power.
• Bullion Security Features: Advanced anti-counterfeiting measures including micro-text, tincture lines, and latent images.
• Proof vs. Bullion: Proof coins are struck individually with high-quality finishes for collectors; bullion coins are produced in high volumes for investment, requiring durable designs that minimize visible defects.
• Die/Punch: The hardened steel tools used to strike designs onto coin blanks.

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1. The History and Symbolism of the Angel Coin

The Angel coin, first introduced in the 1460s, is a significant piece of British numismatic history. Its design depicts St. Michael slaying a beast (the devil), representing the triumph of good over evil.

• Divine Association: During the medieval and Stuart eras, the coin became central to the "Touching for the King’s Evil" ceremony. Because the monarch was considered divinely appointed, they would touch the coin while blessing those suffering from scrofula. The coin was often pierced and worn as an amulet of protection.
• Modern Interpretation: The Royal Mint has released a modern version of the Angel, maintaining the original Latin inscription: "By thy cross, O Christ the redeemer, save us." The modern design incorporates radiating lines behind the angel to simulate "divine light," bridging historical reverence with contemporary minting techniques.

2. Minting Processes and Technical Craftsmanship

The video highlights the evolution of coin production from the 1600s to the present day.

• Historical Hammering: In the 17th century, coins were struck by hand. A die (engraved with the design) was secured into a block of wood, a blank metal disc was placed on top, and a second die was struck with a hammer.
• Engraving Skill: Chief Engraver Gordon Summers notes that a standard apprenticeship for an engraver takes five years, with ten years required to become "competent." Engravers must balance artistic vision with the technical reality of how a design will look once struck under high pressure.
• Modern Production: Today, the Royal Mint uses advanced technology to ensure quality. For bullion coins, they utilize textured backgrounds and radiating lines to hide surface imperfections (like fingerprints or dust) and to serve as sophisticated security features that are difficult to replicate.

3. The Britannia and Market Strategy

The Silver Britannia is described as the Royal Mint’s "business card" to the global investor market.

• Security Innovation: To combat counterfeiting, the Britannia features micro-text, tincture lines, and a latent image shield. These features provide investors with the assurance of authenticity and metal purity.
• Accessibility: Recognizing fluctuating metal prices, the Mint has expanded its range to include fractional products (e.g., 1/10 oz coins) to ensure accessibility for all levels of investors.
• Anniversaries: The Mint is preparing for the 2027 milestone, marking the 40th anniversary of the Gold Britannia and the 30th anniversary of the Silver Britannia.

4. Notable Quotes

• On the Angel Coin’s origin: "This comes completely out of left field... it doesn't really fit in with the design pattern of the coins of the era. It’s just comes out of nowhere." — Chris Barker, Royal Mint Historian
• On the role of an engraver: "The main objective is having the balance between art and then what will look good whenever it’s struck... even with 5,000 coins behind me, it’s still every new coin a challenge." — Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver
• On the "Instant Classic" status: "Some designs are a really good solution to a theme. Some of them are just pure beautiful. This one [the Angel] combines beauty and classicism as well." — Gordon Summers

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The Royal Mint successfully balances its deep historical legacy with modern industrial demands. By reviving the "Angel" coin, they leverage a 600-year-old story of protection and divine symbolism, while their work on the Britannia series demonstrates a commitment to high-tech security and market accessibility. The transition from hand-hammered 17th-century coins to modern, high-volume bullion production reflects a continuous evolution in craftsmanship, where the primary goal remains the creation of "instant classics" that serve both as reliable investments and pieces of art.