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The Birmingham Mint
The Birmingham Mint went into liquidation in March 2003, after 209 years existence as one of the world's leading mints. It was formed from Matthew Boulton and James Watt's Soho Mint and Ralph Heaton's, taking in the King's Norton Metal Company along the way.
The Soho Mint, under Matthew Boulton's initiative was the foremost mint of its day, mainly due to its industrialisation, and the design, building and installation of innovative and powerful machinery. Boulton was one of the leaders of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt is famous for harnessing steam power.
We note that the mint was acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd in 2003, presumably from the liquidators.
A View of the Birmingham Mint in the 19th Century
Coin Rarities Start to Appear
One of the most important effects as far as coin collectors will be concerned is that in 2003, a number of very rare coin issues have found their way onto the market. These will have included sample coins similar to printers' proofs, and small quantities of stray coins from aborted production orders. So far we have seen three of these, but there must undoubtedly be others of which we are not aware. Those we have seen so far include:-
1. 1973 Ecuador 2 Sucres
2. 1975 Mozambique 1 Centimo
3. "1794" Pattern Euro Coin Set
Obverse and Reverse of 1973 Ecuador Dos Sucres
More To Come?
We feel sure that a number of other rarities must have already come onto the market, and likely that others will continue to do so. This may include previously unknown patterns of coin issues from long ago, or off-metal strikes from recent times.
President Joaquim Chissano on Obverse & Protea on Reverse of 1975 Mozambique 1 Centimo
Obverse & Reverse of "1794" Pattern 1 Euro by Birmigham Mint
Further Birmingham Mint History
We reproduce the following from the Birmingham Mint's website:-
Established in 1794, The Birmingham Mint has, through the years, earned a global reputation for its' high quality products.
The company was closely involved in the rapid growth in the use of coinage around the world during the 19th and 20th centuries. Throughout this time The Birmingham Mint has been responsible for many of the important developments in minting technology.
Today, it is the largest independent Mint in the world and it employs the most sophisticated plant and equipment in its' pursuit of excellence. At the beginning of the 21st century, The Birmingham Mint proudly combines the best of its' traditions with the cutting edge of innovation and expertise in the twin spheres of design and manufacture.
A Short History
* 1794 Ralph Heaton I forms a company in Slaney Street Birmingham.
* 1808 - 1812 Moves to Shadwell Street.
* 1810 Ralph Heaton II apprenticed to Thomas Willetts as a Die Maker.
* 1817 Ralph I gives Ralph II tenement and shop at the corner of Bath Street and Shadwell Street.
* 1847 Business becomes Heaton and Son.
* 1850 Ralph II purchases equipment from Soho Mint. The equipment is moved to Bath Street.
* 1860 Icknield Street site bought.
* 1862 Move to Icknield Street. The Proprietorship of Ralf Heaton III begins.
* 1887 Contract to build and equip Canton Mint.
* 1889 On the 22 March the company becomes a Limited Liability Company. The company name is changed from Heaton and Sons to "The Mint Birmingham Limited". Ralph Heaton III retires with the proviso that his son, Ralph Heaton IV, be taken on as General Manager.
* 1891 Ralph Heaton III dies at the age of 64 on the 10th of November.
* 1901 Kings Norton Metal Company produces Century Commemorative medal for employees.
* 1911 - 1912 Birmingham Mint loses monopoly with Royal Mint coinage. Shares contracts with Kings Norton Metal Company.
* 1918 Kings Norton Metal Company becomes part of Nobel Industries.
* 1919 Last Issue with Heaton "H" mark.
* 1920 Ralph Heaton IV retires after bringing the company through the hard times of the First World War. Mr W.E. Bromet, the husband of Heaton's sister Constance, succeeds him as Managing Director.
* 1926 Nobel Industries becomes I.C.I. Metals division.
* 1930's Mr W.F. Brazener becomes General Manager in May of 1935, at the same time Ralph Heaton V is appointed as Secretary to the Company. This marks the end of the Heaton Family's stewardship of the company. Kings Norton move to Witton, centre of I.C.I. Metals Division. Becomes known as Kynoch Mint.
* 1960 Mr Brazener retires on the 30th of April. He is replaced by William Raymond Pearce King on the 1st of May.
* 1962 Imperial Metal Industries, including Kynoch Mint, separated from I.C.I.
* 1964 Consortium established, Royal Mint, Birmingham Mint and Kynoch Mint to bid for minting work.
* 1973 In April of this year Mr King turns over responsibility for Group operations to Mr Colin Perry.
* 1977 I.C.I. sells its' sharehold in Imperial Metal Industries. Kynoch Mint renamed IMI Mint.
* 1988 Birmingham Mint purchases Green Duck Corporation in USA. Birmingham Mint Group restructured into 4 divisions.
* 1991 IMI acquire a controlling interest in Birmingham Mint Group plc after a contested take-over bid. IMI Mint moves to Birmingham Mint site. Company Name changes to The IMI Birmingham Mint Ltd. Commissioning of Nickel Plating Line for nickel-plated coin blanks and coins.
* 1993 Purchase of Casino Tokens inc. USA.
* 1998 3i plc acquires a majority shareholding from IMI. Company name reverts back to "The Birmingham Mint Ltd".
* 1999 American companies closed down due to structured changes in the U.S. Casino token market.
* 2000 The Birmingham Mint Ltd secures biggest ever-single order, over £45 million Sales Value, to supply German Mints with 1 & 2 Euro Coin Blanks. Strikes 50 million 2 Euro coins for another European National Mint.
* 2001 Company sold by 3i to former CEO. Roland Vernon and colleagues. Backed by GE Capital Finance.
* 2003 Acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd
Copyright
All our images and text are copyright property of Lawrence Chard and Chard Coins. This page is taken from our original "24carat" website.
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Other Guides
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The British Royal Mint
The London Mint Office
The Birmingham Mint went into liquidation in March 2003, after 209 years existence as one of the world's leading mints. It was formed from Matthew Boulton and James Watt's Soho Mint and Ralph Heaton's, taking in the King's Norton Metal Company along the way.
The Soho Mint, under Matthew Boulton's initiative was the foremost mint of its day, mainly due to its industrialisation, and the design, building and installation of innovative and powerful machinery. Boulton was one of the leaders of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt is famous for harnessing steam power.
We note that the mint was acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd in 2003, presumably from the liquidators.
A View of the Birmingham Mint in the 19th Century
Coin Rarities Start to Appear
One of the most important effects as far as coin collectors will be concerned is that in 2003, a number of very rare coin issues have found their way onto the market. These will have included sample coins similar to printers' proofs, and small quantities of stray coins from aborted production orders. So far we have seen three of these, but there must undoubtedly be others of which we are not aware. Those we have seen so far include:-
1. 1973 Ecuador 2 Sucres
2. 1975 Mozambique 1 Centimo
3. "1794" Pattern Euro Coin Set
Obverse and Reverse of 1973 Ecuador Dos Sucres
More To Come?
We feel sure that a number of other rarities must have already come onto the market, and likely that others will continue to do so. This may include previously unknown patterns of coin issues from long ago, or off-metal strikes from recent times.
President Joaquim Chissano on Obverse & Protea on Reverse of 1975 Mozambique 1 Centimo
Obverse & Reverse of "1794" Pattern 1 Euro by Birmigham Mint
Further Birmingham Mint History
We reproduce the following from the Birmingham Mint's website:-
Established in 1794, The Birmingham Mint has, through the years, earned a global reputation for its' high quality products.
The company was closely involved in the rapid growth in the use of coinage around the world during the 19th and 20th centuries. Throughout this time The Birmingham Mint has been responsible for many of the important developments in minting technology.
Today, it is the largest independent Mint in the world and it employs the most sophisticated plant and equipment in its' pursuit of excellence. At the beginning of the 21st century, The Birmingham Mint proudly combines the best of its' traditions with the cutting edge of innovation and expertise in the twin spheres of design and manufacture.
A Short History
* 1794 Ralph Heaton I forms a company in Slaney Street Birmingham.
* 1808 - 1812 Moves to Shadwell Street.
* 1810 Ralph Heaton II apprenticed to Thomas Willetts as a Die Maker.
* 1817 Ralph I gives Ralph II tenement and shop at the corner of Bath Street and Shadwell Street.
* 1847 Business becomes Heaton and Son.
* 1850 Ralph II purchases equipment from Soho Mint. The equipment is moved to Bath Street.
* 1860 Icknield Street site bought.
* 1862 Move to Icknield Street. The Proprietorship of Ralf Heaton III begins.
* 1887 Contract to build and equip Canton Mint.
* 1889 On the 22 March the company becomes a Limited Liability Company. The company name is changed from Heaton and Sons to "The Mint Birmingham Limited". Ralph Heaton III retires with the proviso that his son, Ralph Heaton IV, be taken on as General Manager.
* 1891 Ralph Heaton III dies at the age of 64 on the 10th of November.
* 1901 Kings Norton Metal Company produces Century Commemorative medal for employees.
* 1911 - 1912 Birmingham Mint loses monopoly with Royal Mint coinage. Shares contracts with Kings Norton Metal Company.
* 1918 Kings Norton Metal Company becomes part of Nobel Industries.
* 1919 Last Issue with Heaton "H" mark.
* 1920 Ralph Heaton IV retires after bringing the company through the hard times of the First World War. Mr W.E. Bromet, the husband of Heaton's sister Constance, succeeds him as Managing Director.
* 1926 Nobel Industries becomes I.C.I. Metals division.
* 1930's Mr W.F. Brazener becomes General Manager in May of 1935, at the same time Ralph Heaton V is appointed as Secretary to the Company. This marks the end of the Heaton Family's stewardship of the company. Kings Norton move to Witton, centre of I.C.I. Metals Division. Becomes known as Kynoch Mint.
* 1960 Mr Brazener retires on the 30th of April. He is replaced by William Raymond Pearce King on the 1st of May.
* 1962 Imperial Metal Industries, including Kynoch Mint, separated from I.C.I.
* 1964 Consortium established, Royal Mint, Birmingham Mint and Kynoch Mint to bid for minting work.
* 1973 In April of this year Mr King turns over responsibility for Group operations to Mr Colin Perry.
* 1977 I.C.I. sells its' sharehold in Imperial Metal Industries. Kynoch Mint renamed IMI Mint.
* 1988 Birmingham Mint purchases Green Duck Corporation in USA. Birmingham Mint Group restructured into 4 divisions.
* 1991 IMI acquire a controlling interest in Birmingham Mint Group plc after a contested take-over bid. IMI Mint moves to Birmingham Mint site. Company Name changes to The IMI Birmingham Mint Ltd. Commissioning of Nickel Plating Line for nickel-plated coin blanks and coins.
* 1993 Purchase of Casino Tokens inc. USA.
* 1998 3i plc acquires a majority shareholding from IMI. Company name reverts back to "The Birmingham Mint Ltd".
* 1999 American companies closed down due to structured changes in the U.S. Casino token market.
* 2000 The Birmingham Mint Ltd secures biggest ever-single order, over £45 million Sales Value, to supply German Mints with 1 & 2 Euro Coin Blanks. Strikes 50 million 2 Euro coins for another European National Mint.
* 2001 Company sold by 3i to former CEO. Roland Vernon and colleagues. Backed by GE Capital Finance.
* 2003 Acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd
Copyright
All our images and text are copyright property of Lawrence Chard and Chard Coins. This page is taken from our original "24carat" website.
Was This Guide Useful?
If you found this guide interesting, informative or useful, please spare few seconds of your time to vote for it by clicking on the "Yes" button below, thanks.
Other Guides
You may be interested in viewing our other guides:-
The British Royal Mint
The London Mint Office
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Guide created: 09/17/06 (updated 09/23/09)
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