The London Mint Office

[Kronos]

Please can someone explain to me what the difference is between the Royal Mint and the London Mint Office. I know the Royal Mint produce the legal tendor coins in the UK, but what part does the London Mint Office play.

Thanks

Mark

Edited December 6, 2007 by Mark Sarul

[Chris Perkins]

None at all!

They're just a business that buy new issues and package them to sell at a profit. I think they may also be involved in producing reproduction coins.

I heard from someone else recently who was under the impression that this outfit was somehow the London representative of the Royal Mint. He had a silver crown that had been gold plated and had a diamond and ruby stuck in it, and couldn't understand why he couldn't sell it for what he paid for it, which was £70! Daylight robbery, as numismatically it has no value other than the metal and bling value!

They are the same as Westminster Collection, who also like to sound official although they are not anywhere near Westminster.

They buy stocks of obscure modern issues and sometimes UK leftovers and sell them to novice collectors or old ladies that read Sunday papers and imagine they might actually go up in value. I frown very strongly upon this activity, even though I am ashamed the say that the Royal mint do it too!

No serious coin collector would ever buy anything from the so called London Mint, or from the Westminster Collection. I don't think either of them can sue me for stating the truth like that!

[Kronos]

No serious coin collector would ever buy anything from the so called London Mint, or from the Westminster Collection. I don't think either of them can sue me for stating the truth like that!

Thanks for the warning Chris, I thought it looked a bit dodgy.