The Royal Mint can produce five billion coins every year. That enormous figure includes coins for circulation as well as commemorative designs which have an eclectic focus, from a full English breakfast to the Angel of the North. The government-owned organisation dates all the way back to 886, and was originally run from the Tower of London until it moved to London’s East End at the start of the 19th century. In the 1960s, it moved to a 35-acre site in Llantrisant, Wales (about 30 minutes from Swansea) where it employs more than 900 people, and has two internal design teams. While it primarily creates coins and medals for the UK, it also exports designs to over 60 countries.

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