collector coins
Numismatics is the science, study or collection of coins, medals, and similar objects. It is believed to be the oldest hobby known.
People have been collecting coins for over two thousand years — as long as coins have existed. For some, coin collecting is a hobby and for others it is a driving passion. But for all of them, coin collecting is a challenging and satisfying pastime. Anyone can get involved easily and inexpensively.
There are many reasons why people choose to collect coins. Many collectors simply appreciate the coins beauty and enjoy creating a unique and valuable heirloom to pass onto future generations.
Others appreciate the historical value of coins. Coins reflect changes in society, culture and technology and through them we are able to trace history. As Australian numismatic authority Greg McDonald says:
There's something in being able to hold coins in your hands which could have belonged to Julius Caesar or have been in the pocket of someone on the First Fleet.
For whatever reason people choose to collect coins they all agree that it is a pastime that is interesting, rewarding and timeless. Numismatics never goes out of style, and it is a hobby that produces a valuable heirloom for centuries.
Every year the Royal Australian Mint releases new and exciting coins through the Mint Issue - a free quarterly magazine, sent to our direct mailing list customers in Australia, which is full of new releases and interesting information. To join our mailing list, please telephone us on 1300 652 020 (for the cost of a local call within Australia) or subscribe online. For international customers, please visit our online shop to view our products and place an order on-line.
The Royal Australian Mint manufactures coins for numismatists (people who collect coins) with various finishes such as:
- proof
- uncirculated; and
- frosted uncirculated (more commonly known as "frunc").
Proof
Proof coins are the masterpieces of our craftsmanship. Clean, good quality steel is used to make proof dies. The die impression is grit-blasted with very fine zirconium sand to give the surface a frosted finish - the common term for this is sand-blasting. The surrounding background is then highly polished.
Hand polishing of the sections of the die face is performed under a microscope and takes two to three hours. To achieve a mirror-like finish, different grades of diamond lapping paste are applied to the surface and polished with wooden sticks (usually soft birch wood). This is followed by polishing with a soft felt pad attached to a dental drill.
The entire face is covered with clear tape and then, using a fine scalpel, the tape is cut away leaving the design exposed. This area is sand blasted again and given an even frosted appearance and a clean sharp profile around the impression.
After polishing, the die is chrome-plated or titanium nitride coated to resist damage from minute foreign particles and to extend the die life. This in turn reduces the number of times the die is refurbished.
Proof coins are manually and individually coined in a specially designed and air conditioned environment. Laboratory coats, hair ties, gloves, sticky mats on the floor, lint free material to wipe dies, and fans continually blowing air across the die in the coining presses are some of the measures taken to minimise the risk of blemishes on the coins.
On each manually operated press, using forces of up to 360 tonnes, we can produce about 500 proof coins per day.
Within the coining press a collar is used to restrain the blank. The size and shape of the collar determines the shape of the finished product.
Operators, with gloves and/or tongs, place the blank onto the coining press and strike it up to 4 times. The number of strikes is dependent on the size and the depth of relief. The die is wiped with alcohol, to remove any dust, before the next coin is struck.
The operator inspects each coin and then Quality Control randomly examines coins within every batch. If one fault is found the entire batch is thoroughly examined.
Finally, proof coins made from bronze, cupro nickel, aluminium bronze and sterling silver are sprayed with a nitro-cellulose lacquer to protect against oxidation. The coins are inspected once more.
Proof coins are usually packed into capsules and high quality display packaging; along with information about the coins.
Uncirculated
Uncirculated coins are manufactured in much the same way as circulated coins except for the following:
- More attention and time is given to the preparation of the die surface finish,
- The coins are struck with greater pressure than the circulating coins to improve the sharpness of the design.
- More care and attention is applied at each step in the coining process to minimise damage, consequently a much lower production rate of about 30,000 coins per press per day is achieved.
- Uncirculated coins are packaged individually into plastic sleeves, presentation folders or occasionally presentation cases.
Frosted uncirculated ("frunc")
Frosted uncirculated ("frunc") coins are very similar to uncirculated coins but with the following differences:
- The background or 'field' of the die is finely sand-blasted and the impression is polished to a bright finish. This creates a contrast that enhances the detail of the actual design.
- The frosted and polished areas are in reverse to that on a proof coin, so that the image has a polished appearance, and the field is frosted.