We arrived two hours earlier than our designated slot. I had read about the exhibition taking a couple of hours, I suggested to GO that perhaps we just walk around and wait for our tour to start. I watched people queue up by security and followed them. I understood the need to check our bags, it was the Royal Mint after all.
Bag checked I walked through the scanner and retrieved my things. There was only one door so I passed through to find a little theatre, I sat down and waited for GO. "What's going on ?" He asked, I wasn't really sure, I only wanted to have a look around the exhibition, but before we could leave a tour guide arrived and began telling his about the history of coins. This isn't my area of interest so I politely nodded along, and smiled waiting for him to check our tickets, no one checked.
The next thing we knew we were being ushered across the road to the mint. We were being talked through the process. "Were on the bloody tour!" I whispered to GO anxiously. "Just keep our heads down and hope no one notices." I said casually. Great plan... "What is written on the side of a £2 coin?" The guide asked. Complete silence, then GO looks around raises his hand and says, "Standing on the shoulders of giants!" No chance of blending in now.
We were told the history of the coin making process and why the Kew Garden 50p coin is so valuable (See below). I has to admit that I wasn't looking forward to the visit, it was definitely one for GO. Even I have to admit that I found it interesting. I am such a magpie that the minute I saw the cases of coins being loaded into sorting machines I was hooked.
Once we had seen the process, we were taken to a room where we could strike our own £1 coin. I don't know what I was expecting, perhaps a large hammer and press, but I was rather disappointed when all I was given was a big red button to press. We weren't even give an opportunity to personalise our coins, now I understand why people are selling them on EBay.
On our return to the exhibition centre, we learned that the reason the Mint was moved to Wales was down to the security risk that having it in London posed. Then we were allowed o wander to our hearts content. I started to take videos of the displays, designed my own coin, and used the magnifying glass to find the inscription on the side of the coins. I lost GO, when I retraced my steps I found him surrounded by other numismatists, who were asking about coins and his collections. He was like a coin god.
As we left I decided to fill in the visitors book; Lovely tour, very interesting Keith (our guide) was very knowledgeable and really brought the history of coins to life. Great experience even if we did managed to get onto a tour two hours earlier than we should have, oops! GO while paying for his souvenirs, saw our guide reading my comment and giggling.
We were told the history of the coin making process and why the Kew Garden 50p coin is so valuable (See below). I has to admit that I wasn't looking forward to the visit, it was definitely one for GO. Even I have to admit that I found it interesting. I am such a magpie that the minute I saw the cases of coins being loaded into sorting machines I was hooked.
Once we had seen the process, we were taken to a room where we could strike our own £1 coin. I don't know what I was expecting, perhaps a large hammer and press, but I was rather disappointed when all I was given was a big red button to press. We weren't even give an opportunity to personalise our coins, now I understand why people are selling them on EBay.
On our return to the exhibition centre, we learned that the reason the Mint was moved to Wales was down to the security risk that having it in London posed. Then we were allowed o wander to our hearts content. I started to take videos of the displays, designed my own coin, and used the magnifying glass to find the inscription on the side of the coins. I lost GO, when I retraced my steps I found him surrounded by other numismatists, who were asking about coins and his collections. He was like a coin god.
As we left I decided to fill in the visitors book; Lovely tour, very interesting Keith (our guide) was very knowledgeable and really brought the history of coins to life. Great experience even if we did managed to get onto a tour two hours earlier than we should have, oops! GO while paying for his souvenirs, saw our guide reading my comment and giggling.
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