FOI: Mintage Figures

[AndrewSL76]

Following on from a discussion on the forum, I have requested information from the Royal Mint in respect of its Policy and Strategy on mintage figures. I am not sure if I will get a clear response or whether or not their counsel will appropriately respond, but the wait begins as of today. We should have a response within twenty working days from Monday.

Update to follow when the response comes in.

The basis for the request is an attempt to understand what the specific policy or strategy is in relation to decision making on mintage figures. Does, for example, the decision include consideration of profit over and above materials, design and production costs, or does the Royal Mint simply aim to meet and balance costs? A breakdown in decision making may reveal for example that the numbers being produced for a certain design may only break even (taking into account material, design and production costs) when a certain number are sold.

It may be proven, for instance, that the costs payable to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler for the Gruffalo are more than those to the estate of Stephen Hawking - meaning a higher mintage to recover overall costs.

We will hopefully know soon.

Andrew.

[GoodAsGold]

@AndrewSL76 I'm not sure whether you know that the Royal Mint come under the auspices of HM Treasury. Buy any gold from the Royal Mint or Royal Mint Bullion, then the Treasury will know. In times of crisis should the Treasury decide it wants the country's gold, then guess who they'll take it from. Luckily enough, there's "some guy down the pub" who will have bought my coins in the event that the Treasury come asking for their gold back. Thanks to my small collection, I'm sure their wheelbarrow will be well broken after they've already called at the homes of a few other members of this forum 🤑 The attached document won't answer your questions but will give you an insight into the structure. Lots of blank pages to start with. That's where they write down their ideas.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417156/PU1806_-_Royal_Mint_Trading_Fund_Framework_Document.pdf