101 Uses of Coins
Episode 1
Big Ben's chimes are iconic and coins keep it on time. Coins also balance flavours in cooking. We explore their roles from Big Ben to Victorian kitchens with insights from Big Ben's caretaker.
Podcast
Coins are a form of payment, but we will be taking a closer look at how else they have been used. From mementos with an emotional story, or worn as jewellery, to being given nicknames and having been invested with the power to heal or bring good luck, they have stopped bullets in wars and helped balance the workings of the nation’s timekeeper.
Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or search 'The Secret Life of Coins' wherever you get your podcasts.
Season 2
Guests
Throughout this series we’ve been joined by special guests from national institutions, museums, and research networks. Find out more about each of our podcast guests on this page.
Season 1
Maritime Imagery
Episode 1
Whether in warships or life saving, Britain’s naval heritage has had a lasting impact on its currency for centuries. In this episode, explore the story of British naval history through coins of the past.
Britannia
Episode 2
From pub signs to punk art, the robed and armed female figure of Britannia permeates British identity. Find out how this Classical figure developed through coinage and medallic art to become a figure of the nation.
Maritime Trade
Episode 3
The golden age of sail gave way to a world of global trade, where gold and silver could be sailed internationally for vast profit. Explore how the money made from and used for this trade shaped British history.
Life on Board
Episode 4
Whether sailing, trading or something less legitimate, those who lived and worked on the seas expected payment for their labour. How would sailors have been paid, and more importantly when?
Shipwreck
Episode 5
The allure of shipwrecks has drawn treasure hunters and historians alike, but what happens to the cargo they carry? This episode uncovers what happens when gold and silver are recovered from beneath the waves.
Booty!
Episode 6
Pirates, privateers and general rogues of the sea have been long associated with chests overflowing with coins. But did they really make their fortunes in shining silver, and are there chests of treasure out there waiting to be found?
Bonus episodes
Go behind the scenes of the Royal Mint Museum’s first podcast series, Coins and the Sea, with extended cuts of interviews with our fantastic guests.
Glossary
Got a question about some of the coin or sea terminology in use in an episode? Check out the glossary for more information.