The Royal Mint’s new Visitor Centre will open to the public on May 18th, offering unprecedented access to the fascinating processes involved in producing the coins in our pockets.

Visitors will meet the experts on hand to share their knowledge and passion for making coins and there will be the opportunity for people to strike their very own coin as a memento of the visit.

Located in south Wales, visitors to the centre will for the first time ever be able to go behind the scenes at the world’s leading export mint and follow the journey of a coin, from ‘blank to a bank’.

The guided Factory Experience will enable visitors to gain first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing journey and a series of static and interactive experiences will bring the 1,000 year-old organisation’s rich heritage to life.

Anne Jessopp, Royal Mint director of commemorative coin, said “We will be watching with excitement over the next few months as our new Visitor Centre takes shape.

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to a unique behind the scenes experience, showcasing over 1,000 years of coin-making history, and the craftsmanship and innovation for which The Royal Mint is known worldwide.”

A perfect day out for the family, coin enthusiasts, history buffs or those who want a unique insight into one of the country’s oldest institutions , The Royal Mint Visitor Centre caters for everyone.

The new visitor centre has been made possible after The Royal Mint secured a grant of £2.3 million from the Welsh government to carry out the work, contributing to the total £7.7million costs of the project.

The funding will enable the Royal Mint to safeguard 147 jobs within its commemorative coin division while also creating a number of new jobs both in the development and staffing of the visitor centre.

The new Visitor Centre will be a signature development in the south Wales area and incorporate a rich heritage resource alongside live factory working environment.

It will be a truly unique visitor experience with up to 200,000 UK and overseas visitors expected each year.

Announcing the funding during a visit to the Royal Mint, tourism minister Edwina Hart said: “The new visitor centre will be an all year and all weather visitor attraction showcasing a unique product and global brand and will incorporate a rich heritage resource alongside a live factory working environment.

“This project has the potential to be an iconic attraction for Wales.”