Newsletter: September 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Royal Mint Museum Newsletter. Read on to find out what the Museum team have been working on this month.
The Secret Life of Coins Podcast
The Royal Mint Museum podcast returns with a brand-new season and this time we’re diving into the unexpected and intriguing world of coins beyond their everyday use. The Secret Life of Coins explores the quirky, surprising and sometimes mysterious roles coins have played throughout history.
From buying a coffee to saving in a money box, coins are part of daily life—but they’ve also been used in ways you might never imagine. Season 2 uncovers stories that reveal how coins have influenced culture, technology and even timekeeping.
The first episode kicks off at one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks: Big Ben. While its chimes are familiar to millions, few know that a humble coin plays a crucial role in keeping the clock running precisely on time. It’s a fascinating blend of engineering and tradition that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a coin collector, or simply curious, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on the small objects we often overlook.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly via the Royal Mint Museum website:
www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/podcast/101
What’s the most surprising use of a coin you’ve come across?
Work Experience
The Museum recently welcomed a student on a work experience placement. Indigo is studying for her A-Levels in West Wales and has had a long-standing interest in coins as well as museums. She wrote the following account of her time with us:
“I’ve recently had the pleasure of doing a week of work experience with the team at the Royal Mint Museum. I’ve been interested in coins and museums for most of my life so this was a very exciting opportunity.
I don’t yet know which part of museum work I am the most interested in and this opportunity gave me some insights into how each member of the team works day-to-day. I found that I was particularly engaged in doing research work about people who previously worked at the Mint and learning about conservation work.
Overall, I was very happy about this experience and working with everyone was a delight. I have definitely learned things I didn’t know about how museums work and this experience has helped to further my interest and knowledge in pursuing a career in this sector.”
The team really enjoyed working with Indigo and particularly admired her passion and enthusiasm for the subject.
Royal Mint Museum at BANS Autumn Weekend
This September, our Operations Manager, Chris Barker, and Digital Engagement Lead, Susie Sandford, had the pleasure of attending the British Association of Numismatic Societies’ Autumn Weekend in the charming city of Lichfield. The event brought together a wonderful mix of numismatic enthusiasts and experts for a weekend full of engaging talks and shared interests.
Speakers offered insightful, whimsical and fact-filled perspectives on everything from personal names on coins and medals, to the story of the Crystal Palace in medals, and the coinage and posthumous issues of Henry III. Delegates also got a hands-on look at the Medieval Coin Hoards of Britain and Ireland project, alongside fascinating sessions on military tokens, silver bullion coins, coin grading and collecting US Morgan Silver Dollars.
Beyond the talks, attendees enjoyed visiting Lichfield’s historic gems, including the homes of Erasmus Darwin and Samuel Johnson and the awe-inspiring Lichfield Cathedral.
On Saturday, Susie gave a behind-the-scenes peek into the Royal Mint Museum store, sharing stories of conservation, counterfeiters and the artistry of medallists like Benedetto Pistrucci. She shone a spotlight on our tooling collection—an unsung treasure trove of craftsmanship and history.
It was a fantastic weekend of learning, connection and celebration of numismatic heritage.
Girlguiding for STEM Day
In September, our Outreach Manager, Amy Williams, was delighted to take part in the Rhondda Cynon Taff Brownies and Rainbows STEM Day – a vibrant event that welcomed around 315 young participants. The day was packed with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and excitement around science, technology, engineering and maths.
As part of the event, the Museum hosted drop-in sustainability workshops, where Brownies had the opportunity to build miniature working wind turbines. These turbines were designed to power small LEDs, giving the girls a tangible sense of how renewable energy works. The activity was a hit, combining creativity with engineering in a fun and accessible way.
At the end of the day, the Brownies proudly earned STEM-themed badges to celebrate their achievements. In a lovely twist, our Outreach Manager was also honoured with a volunteer Girlguiding badge in recognition of her contribution to the event.
This collaboration highlights the Museum’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. We’re proud to support initiatives that make learning fun and meaningful – and we look forward to future partnerships with local youth organisations.
