The William Wyon collection

The gold five-pound piece of 1839 is arguably one of the most beautiful coins in the world.

The fine portrait medal illustrated here by William Wyon is of Sir Joseph Banks, the famous naturalist and President of the Royal Society.

The original design for the China Medal of the early 1840s, by William Wyon, depicted a crowned British Lion standing over a defeated Chinese Dragon.

The designers of coins and medals work in many different ways. Some carve directly into plaster, some model in clay or wax.

As well as the finished struck coin or medal, the museum collection contains pieces that reveal how particular designs evolved.

One of the oldest plaster models in the Royal Mint Museum dates back to the mid-19th century and is as spectacular as the medal to which it relates.

Wyon's enduring reputation rests largely on his coin and medal portraits of Queen Victoria.

In the Museum we have several reducing machines which were once integral to the process of minting.

Find out more about our collection from the people responsible for its care and interpretation.

The history of the Royal Mint is woven into that of Britain itself.

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