UK Royal Mint to make gold commemorative coins in India, after 100 years

Britain’s Royal Mint has started to manufacture gold sovereign coins in India for the first time in almost 100 years.Indian residents haven’t been able to buy these commemorative sovereigns since 1918, when the Royal Mint operated a branch in the country, producing 1.3 million coins a year.The first production run will be for 50,000 pieces and will be available in the market immediately, the Royal Mint said in a statement coinciding with British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit.The commemorative sovereigns will be produced by Indian gold producer MMTC-PAMP using tools and techniques developed by the Royal Mint in its South Wales facility. India is the world’s largest gold consumer, with gold coins playing a big role at weddings and festivals all through the year.

Managing Director, Pamp SA, MehdiBarkhordar (left) and Chief Executive, Royal Mint, Adam Lawerence, unveil the Royal Mint's gold sovereign commemorative coin in New Delhi.