The production process of commemorative coins: from raw material to legend

      Have you also been curious about how these commemorative coins with different contents and colors are produced? Today, let's unveil the mysterious production process of commemorative coins, and see how these small metal discs are made from scratch to become valuable collectibles.

The first stage: selection of raw materials
       The first step in the production of commemorative coins is the selection of raw materials. This is a very important step. Coins can be made from a variety of materials, including iron, copper, nickel, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, bronze, aluminum and bimetallic, each of which gives the coin a different appearance, texture and value. Although each material is different, they all also reflect the unique story and meaning of the commemorative coin.

Stage 2: Design and Engraving
       The design stage is the "soul" of coin production. Designers need to come up with a special design to express the theme of the commemorative coin, so that the commemorative coin will have a distinctive aesthetic and commemorative value.
      Every year, the U.S. Mint creates and designs a commemorative coin around the theme of Lady Liberty. To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Mint, the U.S. Mint debuted a special commemorative coin in 2017 - the Black Statue of Liberty Commemorative Coin. This particular design triggered a great deal of impact and also made the designers of the commemorative coin famous!

Stage 3: Mold Making
       Once the design of the coin is finalized, the next step is to make the mold. The quality of the mold directly determines the detail and beauty of the coin.
       Some special coins are made with complicated details and high craftsmanship. In order to achieve this exquisite effect, the mint factory will use high-precision laser engraving technology to create perfect molds to ensure that each coin can display the shocking scene of the picture.

Stage 4: Stamping and Molding
       Once the commemorative coin molds have been made, the stamping and molding process begins. In this stage, the metal sheet is put into a stamping machine and the pattern is embossed onto the metal sheet through tremendous pressure. Many commemorative coins come with a variety of patterns, varying from characters, animals, scenes, etc. These images require the use of high-pressure stamping technology, and each coin is stamped several times to ensure clear patterns and rich details.

Stage 5: Polishing and Plating
       After stamping and molding, the commemorative coins need to be polished and plated to make their surfaces smooth and shiny. Many commemorative coins will undergo multiple polishing processes after stamping and molding to make their surfaces as smooth as mirrors. Some versions are also gold-plated to make the coins look even more magnificent. The exquisite craftsmanship of polishing and plating is also one of the important reasons that make commemorative coins become treasured by collectors.

Stage 6: Quality Inspection and Packaging
       The final step is quality inspection and packaging. Each commemorative coin must undergo strict quality inspection to ensure that there are no flaws. At the end of production, the commemorative coins will undergo a rigorous quality inspection. The factory will use advanced testing equipment to ensure that each commemorative coin meets high standards. Coins that pass the inspection are beautifully packaged to ensure that they are not damaged during transportation and storage.

From Metal to Legend
       The process of producing commemorative coins is not very complicated, but it is full of wisdom. Each commemorative coin undergoes a metamorphosis from metal to legend. Perhaps the next time you pick up a commemorative coin, you will be able to visualize the process of its magnificent transformation!