Explore the origins of The Royal Mint alongside our 1,100-year history, their links with the Tower of London and the story behind their move to Wales.
Their exhibition starts right back in the 9th century, with a look at some of The Royal Mint’s oldest and most notable objects, beginning with a silver penny of Alfred the Great, which was struck at the time of the resettlement of London after its occupation by the Vikings.
From there, they take you on a journey through the ages, looking at how coins were first produced, the involvement of Sir Isaac Newton as Master of the Mint, the commemorative medal produced for Elizabeth I and how The Royal Mint moved from the Tower of London to Tower Hill, before moving to Llantrisant, where it resides today.
Guided tour
To begin your tour, one of their hosts will guide you to their video introduction area. Here, you will gain an insight into the beginnings of The Royal Mint, the heritage behind their values, and the craftsmanship that goes into creating the coins in your pocket. After the short video, your host will be available to answer any questions you may have.
During the early part of your tour, you will learn more about the manufacturing process that goes into creating the coins in your pocket. You will learn about all of the different methods we take to ensure that their extraordinary coins are amongst the most secure in the world.
Your host will guide you to parts of The Royal Mint that are only accessible to the public as part of the guided tour. You will be able to witness first-hand our workforce producing coins and following the measures we abide by. You will also learn all about the machinery we use, the state-of-the-art equipment that helps us, and the processes of creating a coin.
During the tour, you will be given the opportunity to strike your own coin and take it home with you. This is available for a small fee and is the only place in the United Kingdom where you can do this. The design of the coin alters, depending on what theme we are celebrating at the time of your visit. People who have visited The Royal Mint Experience before, for example, struck a rare, 2018-dated Sir Isaac Newton 50p coin.
Their exhibition area is home to some of the most important and historical artefacts in the 1,100-year history of The Royal Mint. Some coins and items here are amongst the rarest in the world and your host will help you learn about their history, and how they have come to them at The Royal Mint Experience. You are free to explore our exhibition area at your own pace.
All visits are required to be pre-booked with a timeslot.
OPENING TIMES:
01/04/23-31/03/24
Daily, 09:15hrs-16.15hrs
