Mint condition
Based in the heart of the mother city, the world-class Cape Town mint manufactures proof quality coins for numismatic collectors and dealers, societies and organisations, locally and worldwide
Boasting a rich history in the country, the Cape Mint was founded in 1978 by Mauro Pagliari who was born in 1913 in the Italian town of Scanno.
He received his training from Campoli, a well-known master engraver during the 1930’s. As a prisoner of war in India and Ceylon, he drew attention to his remarkable creations of engraved flatware from scrap metal.
Pagliari arrived in 1952 in Cape Town, and as a classically trained master engraver and die-sinker with extensive experience, his skills were sought after. In 1957 he opened The Pagliari Group and in 1978 he started The Cape Mint. He was the first person to open a private mint in the Western Cape.
In 1961 he was commissioned by the first South African Government to produce an 18ct gold Parliamentary Mace. It was to be the largest piece of worked gold in the country. Later, and attesting to their continued high standing amongst competitors, the Pagliari Group went on to share a commission to produce the Parliamentary People’s Mace of the republic of South Africa (2004) as well as the making of the Black Rod for the national council of Provinces of the Republic of South Africa (2005) including the new Parliamentary emblems for the National Assembly and the National Council of
Provinces (2007).
Over the years The Pagliari Group and Cape Mint have created a number of unique projects. The Group was commissioned by the South
African Government to produce a hand-crafted silver rose bowl as a wedding gift to crown Prince Naruhito of Japan (1995), as well as a silver Chalice presented to Pope John Paul II by President Mandela in 1995.
Other achievements for The Cape Mint include presenting President Mandela in 1994 with a 24ct gold Unity medal on his 50th day in office as well as having been commissioned by the Società Italiana per l’edizioni d’ Arte to represent the African continent in creating a Millennium 2000 Aurea medal. It consisted of 24ct gold and was set with 64 diamonds.
The collection formed part of the year 2000 celebrations, and consisted of five medallions.
A fair number of other high-quality medals in gold and silver were also produced, most notable of which were a medal commemorating the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, and a later one commemorating the birth of Prince William. As a community engagement project, The Cape Mint created a range of Islam inspired coins in 24ct gold and sterling silver to help fund the building and maintenance of the Masjidul Quds complex in Cape Town. Following the designs of Tretchikoff, The Cape Mint created a collection of ten gold medallions depicting the Ten Commandments.
For many years, The Cape Mint has been running a fully equipped tool-room and minting facility. Hand modelling, sculpting and engraving as well as many types of machine engraving and etching are carried out under one roof.
A few decades ago, The Cape Mint started making use of computer technology in their designing and manufacturing. In-house training continues to take place. The Cape Mint gained both national and international recognition for their work. In 1980 it was awarded a Commendatore by the Italian Government for their art achievements outside Italy. This was followed in 1988 by a silver Order of Merit by the South African Government as well as an award in 2000 at the Fair of Vincenza in Italy for its lifelong contribution to the precious metal manufacturing industry. From the start, The Cape Mint challenged the labour laws of the time by employing staff members of colour, in artisan and management positions and providing in-house training on all facets of the production processes. The Pagliari group houses the largest and oldest engraving company in the Western Cape.
The Cape Mint recently unveiled the Invictus Medallion Collection in partnership with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the Myplayers organisation. The Invictus Medallion Collection is a range celebrating 25 years of democracy in South Africa. It also symbolises the 25 years of rugby in our democratic state and honours the game of rugby which has been and continues to be a unifying sport for our nation.
The Pagliari group houses the largest and oldest engraving company in the Western Cape.