History
Metals used in Modern British Coins
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What are the metals used in coins? Gold and silver are no longer used and the cheaper metals alloys used have also been changing.
Edgar Bertram Mackennal, Sculptor (1863-1931)
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Bertram Mackennal was a coin designer, known especially for the portrait and other coin designs of King George V.
Colloquial Names of British Coins and their Origins
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Over the years most British coins have picked up colloquial names, nicknames such as quids, bobs and tanners. Some of these terms are so old that their etymology is no longer clear, but here are a few of the more famous names.
Branch Mints of the Royal Mint
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Branch Mints of the Royal Mint. The story of the Royal Mint Branch Mints in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Thomas Simon, Engraver (1618-1665)
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Thomas Simon (1618-1665) was the Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint from 1649 to 1660. He was a noted medallist, die and seal engraver and gem engraver.
Newton and the Counterfeiter Book Review
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Book review: Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) is one of the best known scientists in the planet, but for the last 30 years of his life he was Master of the Mint. As part of his duties was to deal with counterfeiters, and it is then that he came up against maybe the greatest counterfeiter and con-man of his time, William Chaloner.
Establishment of Melbourne Mint 1872
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The history and reasons for the establishment of the Melbourne Mint in 1872.
The Tower Mint, London 1279-1812
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While the Royal Mint can find its origins dating back to 886AD and King Alfred the Great, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to a the Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London.