British Gold Lunar Coins
Gold Lunar Coins from the British Royal Mint
The British Royal Mint produces a range of gold bullion coins called the Gold Lunar series. These coins celebrate the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar and are issued in both gold and silver. The coins are legal tender in the United Kingdom and their purity and weight are guaranteed by the British government.
The Gold Lunar coins are made from 999.9 fine gold and are available in various sizes, ranging from 1/20 oz to 1 kg. Each coin features an image of the animal associated with that particular year of the lunar calendar, along with the Chinese character for that animal.
The Gold Lunar series was first introduced in 2014 with the Year of the Horse coin, and a new coin is issued each year to mark the beginning of the lunar year. The series is expected to continue until the Year of the Pig in 2019, after which a new series may be introduced.
The Gold Lunar coins are highly collectible and are popular among both investors and collectors. They are often purchased to diversify investment portfolios and to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
British Royal Mint’s History
The British Royal Mint has a long and fascinating history dating back over a thousand years. Here are some of the key events and milestones in the history of the mint:
- The origins of the Royal Mint can be traced back to the 9th century when King Alfred the Great established a mint in London to produce silver pennies.
- The mint was officially granted a Royal Charter by King Edward I in 1279 and was given a monopoly on the production of coins in England.
- In the 16th century, the mint moved to a new location on Tower Hill in London, where it remained for over 500 years.
- During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, the Royal Mint underwent major modernization and expansion, introducing new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of coin production.
- In the 20th century, the Royal Mint played a key role in the war effort, producing coins and medals for the armed forces, as well as providing secure storage for gold reserves.
- In 1967, the mint moved to a new purpose-built facility in South Wales, which remains its current home.
- Today, the Royal Mint is a government-owned company that produces coins and medals for the UK and other countries, as well as providing secure storage and processing services for precious metals.
Throughout its long history, the Royal Mint has played a vital role in the economy and culture of the United Kingdom, and its coins and medals are prized by collectors and investors around the world.
The British Royal Mint produces a wide range of products in addition to the Gold Lunar coins. Here are some of the most popular:
- Gold Sovereigns: The Gold Sovereign is a classic British gold coin that has been in production since 1817. It features an image of the reigning monarch on the obverse, and the image of Saint George slaying the dragon on the reverse.
- Britannia Coins: The Britannia is a series of gold and silver bullion coins that feature the image of Britannia, a female personification of Britain. The coins are available in a range of sizes and are popular among investors and collectors.
- Commemorative Coins: The Royal Mint produces a wide range of commemorative coins to mark special events and occasions, such as royal weddings, anniversaries, and important historical milestones.
- Queen's Beasts Coins: The Queen's Beasts is a series of gold and silver bullion coins that feature the 10 heraldic beasts that stood guard at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
- Silver Lunar Year Coins: In addition to the Gold Lunar coins, the Royal Mint produces a range of Silver Lunar Year coins, which also feature the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar.
These are just a few examples of the many products offered by the British Royal Mint, which has a rich history of producing high-quality coins and medals for collectors and investors around the world.
