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The Royal Mint has launched a series of coins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mini.
The Mini, which became a British design classic and an icon of the Swinging Sixties, is the first car to be represented across a complete set of Royal Mint coins.
The Mint has produced 2,000 sets consisting of four £5 coins in silver proof, with designs featuring the Mini’s motorsport success, its 1960s influence and its design characteristics. The sets cost £175.
It has also produced a range of £1, £5 and £10 coins in silver and gold proof, with prices ranging from £9.95 to £275.
Dave Knight, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, said: “The Mini’s design has truly stood the test of time, proving itself to be as great a British icon as Concorde, red telephone boxes and double-decker buses.
“For this reason, we felt compelled to pay tribute to Sir Alec Issigonis’ revolutionary Mini.”
He added that the Mint expected the designs to be one of its most popular coin sets to date.
Ok I’m back after a nightmare week packing and sorting stuff to move house – shame (or is it a blessing?) that I can’t fit much in my mini and have to organise help to deal with all the rubbish (or treasure in my kids eyes *lol*).
I’ve just been looking on youtube at some mini videos and thought you might like this one featuring an interview with Monty Watkins, Editor of Mini World magazine – and of course lots clips of beautiful classic minis
Do you have a classic mini video you’d like to share with me? Leave a comment!
I love classic mini’s – my first car was a beaten up little 850 called My Little Flower and I’ll tell you the story about her some time soon. I’ve just been perusing the web for a brief history on the mini and came across this article that may be of interest to you… enjoy
Mini – The Evolution Of A Driving Legend
By Paul Mcindoe
The Mini has been a style icon even since its original inception in 1959.
The combination of a cute and quirky little car which was not only great around town, was owned and driven by the rich and famous, but was also one of the most easily affordable vehicles available for the normal person in the street to both buy and maintain, propelled this automotive icon into being one of the most popular British-made cars ever.
From the time the first groundbreaking 850cc Morris Mini Minor rolled off the production line on 26 August 1959, the Sir Alec Issigonis’ designed Mini was destined for a big future.
The original mini from 1959 came about as Issigonis was challenged by The British Motor Company (BMC) to design a car to answer the problems resulting from the European fuel crisis caused by the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
While German aircraft designers like Messerschmitt, Heinkel as well as Isetta came up with tiny bubble cars in response, the head of BMC wanted a new car which was to be small at just four feet wide, by ten feet long and four feet high but which could comfortably seat four adults and take their luggage without any problems.
Founded by Sarah Cairncross to perv over mini photos, exchange sage classic mini advice and get in touch with all the other mad mini waving owners out there!
Sarah is the proud owner of Li’l Bish formerly known as Secret Lady named by her previous owner, the lovely Mr Tickle) – a classic Mini Cooper Sport in [...]more →
The Royal Mint has launched a series of coins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mini.
The Mini has been a style icon even since its original inception in 1959.