Royal Mint coins set to sell for thousands
THE November fine art sale at Anthemion Auctions in Cardiff features an amazing selection of coveted and collectable coins produced by the Royal Mint. A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures coins to be used as currency, and the Royal Mint is one of the world’s leading facilities, producing all UK currency and exporting currency to more than 60 countries worldwide.
In the late 1960s the Royal Mint facility moved from London to Llantrisant. It is owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury, and as well as being the nation’s contracted currency supplier, it produces medals, commemorative coins, planchets and precious metal bullion. The production of bullion is an important part of the operation of the mint, with sales of bars and coins to both investors and the general public making up half of its revenue. The minting of bullion coins began in 1957, as a measure to provide
authentic sovereign coins, which suffered from frequent counterfeiting. Coins were released every year alongside proof samples, which were historically made for archiving and checking the dies, but nowadays are often produced in number specifically for coin collectors (numismatists).
In the sale on November 25, a Royal Mint 1998 UK gold proof four-coin sovereign collection, which includes a half sovereign, sovereign, double sovereign and five pounds, is estimated to sell for between £2,500 and £3,000. The extensive coin lots also include brilliant uncirculated five pounds gold coins, which are enormously sought after by collectors, and estimated to realise between £1,000-£1,500 each, as well as a cased gold proof crown to commemorate the golden wedding anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip, also estimated at £,1000-£1,500.
One of the lots with particularly high global interest levels is a 1996 Bermuda gold proof triangular 180-dollar coin, with a rare design and commemorative subject of the Bermuda triangle. This highly soughtafter piece is expected to realise between £4,500 and £5,500.
The auction also includes historical British and international currency, as well as medals and a wide selection of militaria alongside jewellery, silverware, oil and watercolour paintings and works of art.
The catalogue is available to view and bid on via www.the-saleroom.com