Royal Mint (Spain) Complete Guide

The Royal Mint of Spain, also known as the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, is the official mint of Spain. It's been in operation since 1808.

The Royal Mint of Spain is responsible for producing coins and medals, including the Euro coins used in Spain. The mint is also in charge of the production of other numismatic products.

The Royal Mint of Spain is headquartered in Madrid, with other facilities located in other parts of the country.

The Royal Mint in Spain has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Philip V, the first Borbòn King of Spain, decided to make minting coinage a State monopoly at that time.

In the 19th century, there were seven public mints located in various cities across Spain, each with its own cypher and signs. Madrid was one of the cities with a public mint.

The peseta became the national currency in 1869, and only the Royal Mint in Madrid was still in operation. This marked a significant change for the Royal Mint.

The Royal Mint merged with the Stamp Factory in 1893 to create the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre. This merger brought together two separate establishments under one roof.

Banknote production for the Bank of Spain began in 1940, and a new building was used for this purpose.

The Royal Mint of Spain has a rich history that spans over 550 years, making it one of the oldest mints in the world. It all started in 1467, with the first mint being established.

The first mint didn't last long, though - it was shut down by the king of Spain just six years later, in 1473. This pattern of building and closing mints continued throughout Spain's history.

The Royal Mint of Spain has had several different locations over the years, with new mints being built and old ones being replaced. For example, King Phillip II established a new mint in 1591 along the Eresma River.

Unfortunately, this mint eventually failed and had to relocate to a goldsmith's workshop. It's a good thing that the Royal Mint of Spain has been able to adapt and evolve over time.

In 1614, an official third mint was built in Madrid, which lasted until 1861 when it was replaced by a fourth mint. This fourth mint was built to replace the outdated equipment being used in the Mint of Madrid.

The fourth mint merged with the Stamp Factory in 1893, and it remained this way until 1964 when it would reform into the Royal Mint of Spain we know today.

The Royal Mint of Spain has two operational plants, one in Madrid and the other in Burgos, where banknotes are printed.

The Burgos plant is home to the paper mill where banknotes are produced. Some of the Royal Mint's product lines are ISO 9001 certified.

The Royal Mint's involvement in banknote production is a result of the European Central Bank's new guideline, which requires the national quota of euro banknotes to be produced at a printing works owned by the issuing central bank or through a competitive tender.

The Royal Mint of Spain is a multifaceted organization with a wide range of responsibilities. Today, it handles the production of Euro coins for circulation.

It's also involved in creating gold and silver coins for coin collectors, which can be a great way to invest in precious metals or simply start a unique collection. The Royal Mint of Spain produces a variety of coins that can be a fun and educational hobby.

The organization is also responsible for creating medals, which can be used to commemorate special events or achievements. The Royal Mint of Spain has a long history of producing high-quality medals that are treasured by collectors and institutions alike.

One of the Royal Mint of Spain's most important roles is creating secure documents for passports and other identification documents. This requires the highest level of security and precision to ensure that the documents are authentic and reliable.

Today, the Royal Mint is a bit more complex than you'd think. Two plants, in Madrid and Burgos, are currently operational.

The Burgos plant is where the paper mill that prints banknotes is located. Some of the FNMT-RCM's product lines are ISO 9001 certified.

In 2015, a new company called Imprenta de Billetes, S.A. (IMBISA) was created to produce Euro banknotes. This was in response to a new guideline from the European Central Bank that required a change in how euro banknotes are produced.

The company, IMBISA, is 80%-owned by the Banco de España and 20%-owned by FNMT-RCM. This ownership structure may remain in place until December 31, 2017.

Here are some key facts about the Royal Mint and its operations:

The Royal Mint of Spain has a long history of producing notable coins, including the classic Spanish Escudo and Peseta. These coins have unique features and mintage dates.

The Royal Mint of Spain releases commemorative euro coins each year, often celebrating significant events or individuals. One notable example is the 92.5% silver 10-euro coin issued in 2020 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan's voyage around the world.

Some commemorative coins have unique features, such as the 92.5% silver 10-euro coin celebrating scientist Margarita Salas, which was issued on March 8, 2024.

Here are some notable commemorative euro coins produced by the Royal Mint of Spain:

Mintmarks play a significant role in the world of coins and commemorative pieces. They can provide valuable information about the coin's origin, production, and authenticity.

Lazarus Christian Hopfgarten, a notable Mint Master, worked at the Royal Mint of Spain from 1625 to 1626. He was also responsible for minting coins at Moritzberg from 1622 to 1625.

A mintmark is essentially a small logo or symbol that indicates where and when a coin was produced. It can be a letter, a combination of letters, or even a symbol.

Here's a list of some notable mintmasters and the mints they worked at:

The obverse of a coin is the front side, and it's often where you'll find the most interesting designs. The obverse of the coin we're discussing shows the Pillars of Hercules, a symbol of Spain and its historical strength beyond any border.

The Pillars of Hercules are a prominent feature on the obverse, and they're often seen as a representation of the country's power and influence. This symbol is widely recognized around the world.

At the top of the coin, the legend FELIPE VI REY DE ESPAÑA appears in a circular direction, listing the name of the Spanish monarch. This is a common way to display the monarch's name on coins.

The lower part of the coin bears the legend 1 ONZA 999,9 ORO, which indicates the coin's weight and purity. This information is essential for collectors and investors.

Commemorative Euro Coins are a great way to collect a piece of history. The Royal Mint of Spain releases new commemorative euro coins each year, making them a popular choice for collectors.

Some notable commemorative euro coins include the Margarita Salas coin, which was issued on March 8, 2024, to celebrate scientist Margarita Salas. This 92.5% silver 10-euro coin is a beautiful addition to any collection.

The Ferdinand Magellan Commemorative Coin is another popular choice, issued in 2020 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Magellan sailing around the world. It's made of 92.5% pure silver and is a stunning example of the Royal Mint of Spain's craftsmanship.

The Royal Mint of Spain also issues commemorative coins for special events and anniversaries. For example, the 200th Anniversary of National Police coin was issued in the first quarter of 2024. This 2-euro coin is a great way to commemorate a significant event in Spanish history.

Here are some examples of commemorative euro coins issued by the Royal Mint of Spain:

The Royal Mint of Spain has been the setting for a thrilling TV show, Money Heist.

The Mint plays a major role in the first season, where a group of skilled criminals, led by the enigmatic Professor, infiltrate the building to print billions of euros while holding hostages.

The exterior shots of the Mint in the show were not actually filmed at the Mint itself.

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) was used as the primary filming location for outside shots.

The Mint is located at a busy intersection in Madrid, making it a challenging location to film.