How are silver coins made?

Silver coins have been minted as a form of currency for over 2,600 years. Today, the production process has been refined and improved through various innovative methods. Below is an explanation of the current production process for silver coins.

Designing the Coin

When a decision is made to mint a new coin, the first step is to create a new design. This is done by a designer who must balance aesthetics with technical feasibility. The design on paper will look different once transferred to metal, as the use of relief has limitations. Many designers draw inspiration from existing coin designs, and certain themes are often repeated within series. Additionally, coins such as those from the Netherlands must include authenticity features like the mintmark, master mark, and edge lettering.

Modeling the Die

The next step in the process is modeling the die. Historically, this was done using a plaster model to create a master die, which served as a template for the working die. Today, this process is much simpler. A computer is used to create a working die directly using a laser. Coin production requires two dies—one for the obverse (front) and one for the reverse (back) of the coin.

Melting and Processing the Silver

Once the dies are ready, the silver is processed into large metal rolls. These rolls are then shaped into long, narrow strips using a press. From these strips, round blanks—flat, design-free discs—are punched out. For collector coins, the blanks are inspected for damage and polished before moving on to the next step.

Coin Pressing

The blanks are then sent to the coin press, where immense pressure is applied to strike the obverse and reverse designs onto the blank simultaneously. At this point, the design becomes visible. Coins intended for circulation are collected in large bins, while collector coins are carefully removed from the press and placed into capsules.
It’s important to note that coins used as currency are not made of silver. Euro coins, for instance, are composed of combinations of copper, aluminum, zinc, tin, nickel, and brass, depending on their denomination.

What to Consider When Buying Silver Coins

If you’re purchasing silver coins to protect your wealth, carefully consider the quality of the coins you want to buy. Additionally, note the distinction between silver coins that have the status of legal tender and those that do not. If you are unsure about these differences, feel free to contact us for advice.

Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide investment advice and this article should not be considered as such. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.