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 Replies: 68 / Views: 6,357 |
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New Member
Canada
44 Posts |
I have a pretty narrow focus on my numismatic collection. It is focused on the Heaton/Birmingham Mint advertising, specimen and pattern pieces. I do have a couple of web sites dedicated to this. It is a catalogue of the different pieces I have located or seen. I had a Facebook page that provided more insight. Unfortunately it was hacked and no help from Meta to get it back. I will be posting information on this site. Thank you to the site operators and moderators for this opportunity to reach more numismatists. My first posting on this subject will be the piece that got me hooked on this line of numismatics.  This advertising piece can be found in Aluminum, White Metal and Bronze. They are around 25mm in diameter. White and bronze have a plain edge and the aluminum has a reeded edge. All have a medal axis. They were made in the mid 1880's when Ralph Heaton and Sons changed to a limited company 'The Mint, Birmingham Limited'. This then led me to the only book that touched on the subject and that was 'A Numismatic History of the Birmingham Mint' by James O. Sweeny. The book concentrates mostly on the coins issued by the mint for countries around the world. There is a small section about advertising tokens with only a few pieces listed. Over the past 15 years I have been fortunate to catalogue over 180 pieces. I hope others will enjoy this thread and will post anything related to the topic. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5238 Posts |
I'm impressed. It is amazing how much depth there can be for a relatively small area of numismatics.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Very interesting. Good read, thank you for posting.  Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
945 Posts |
To my surprise I find I have a couple of pictures to contribute to this thread. Sadly I think I sold the items a while ago, so all I have left are these photos. I hope they are interesting.   |
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Moderator
 United States
187496 Posts |
Very interesting! |
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New Member
 Canada
44 Posts |
The Taylor and Challen pieces are very popular and some of the rarer pieces can command a price in excess of $5000. The Birmingham Mint piece is a relatively common piece. You can find it made of cupro nickel or pure nickel. The pure nickel one is magnetic. It is usually found with a smooth edge, around 25mm in diameter and a medal alignment. Even then there are rare strikes of that piece. Any metal outside of a white metal is extremely rare. You can also find the odd one with a reeded edge and and rarer yet one minted with a coinage alignment. The weight can vary quite a bit on these pieces. The heavier/thicker cupro nickel pieces can be found to have some edge lettering on them. Here is one that has all 3 rare characteristics. It is copper with a reeded edge and is of coinage alignment.  |
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Moderator
United States
187496 Posts |
Quote:
Here is one that has all 3 rare characteristics. It is copper with a reeded edge and is of coinage alignment. Very nice! |
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New Member
Canada
44 Posts |
The Birmingham Mint provided coins to almost 100 different countries and territories. From Africa to Central America, Europe to Asia they made millions of coins for the world economy. According to 'A Numismatic History of the Birmingham Mint', in 1887 and 1888, while still known as Ralph Heaton & Sons, they helped build the first modern mint in China. The Canton Mint had over 90 presses and was the largest mint at the time. Here are some examples of test and advertising tokens directly related to their business with the Chinese government.    Edited by bhmtokens
02/17/2025 11:06 am
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Moderator
United States
187496 Posts |
Nice examples! I have a feeling you have a lot to show us. I look forward to your continued sharing!  |
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New Member
Canada
44 Posts |
The Birmingham Mint made a number of modern advertising and trial pieces. Unfortunately, much of the background information on these pieces was lost when the mint closed in 2003. This next piece included a insert with background information. "This commemorative medal was manufactured through IMI's fully integrated process from casting to striking in their High Security Alloy - HS2. This alloy has proved to be very acceptable because it has a pleasing white/yellow colour, it has excellent coining characteristics and it is difficult to counterfeit. - XVII Mint Directors Conference, Helsinki, Finland, June 5-9, 1994"  |
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Moderator
United States
187496 Posts |
A lovely example! |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
375 Posts |
That's really interesting. I also have one of those, and a brochure of theirs which is undated but has a picture of a Bruce Rushin cupronickel obverse dated 1975. Here's two pics of the advertising piece...   |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
375 Posts |
Oops! "One of those" refers to the original post from bhmtokens, not the lovely HS2 example, beautiful though it is!
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Moderator
United States
187496 Posts |
Quote:
I also have one of those, and a brochure of theirs which is undated but has a picture of a Bruce Rushin cupronickel obverse dated 1975. Here's two pics of the advertising piece... Quote:
Oops! "One of those" refers to the original post from bhmtokens, not the lovely HS2 example, beautiful though it is! Understood.  Nice example! |
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New Member
Canada
44 Posts |
Thanks Spyro. Nice example. If you have an opportunity to scan and post the brochure, I would love to see it.
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New Member
Canada
44 Posts |
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Replies: 68 / Views: 6,357 |
Posted 02/14/2025 11:17 pm
