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Day of the Mint 2023

Started by eurocoin, April 16, 2023, 08:14:04 PM

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eurocoin

The Royal Dutch Mint just informed me privately that on 10 June a physical edition of the Day of the Mint will take place. Finally after many years, the Royal Dutch Mint will open its doors again for the public. The company will provide further information to the public in due course.

eurocoin

#1
Royal Dutch Mint released more information about the Day of the Mint. The program can be found here. It looks rather disappointing. Unlike previous years there is no guest of honour, and there will be no rare and popular products on sale, but what is absolutely outrageous is that it will not be possible to enter the production area. Instead, on the first floor, likely through a window, people can witness the production from a 10km distance. I will express great disappointment about this to the mintmaster.

chrisild

Thanks for the link to the program. This year I cannot go to the Day of the Mint anyway, but so far I have not even seen the building (interesting architecture, it seems). So in 2024 I may go and combine the visit and an "excursion" to downtown Utrecht, or rather the other way round. This way the trip as a whole will not be disappointing, no matter what the KNM does or has to offer.

Not being able to get very close to the production areas is a little sad, yes. But mints are high security areas, insurance charges may be involved, who knows. What I find a little weird: They explain where visitors can park, but that's it. Trains, buses, pah. I looked things up, and apparently there is a bus connection (47 Utrecht<>Houten) with a stop not too far from the mint. May come in handy next year. ;)

Figleaf

Not sure in which building the event is taking place, but if it is the "old" mint building, it's in very easy walking distance of the Utrecht Central Station.

Other sights in Utrecht (they'll still be there next year):
  • Railroad museum. Really good fun.
  • Canal quays. They are on two levels. Great on a sunny day with your favourite drink
  • If it's sunny anyway, rent a bike and do a tour along the river Vecht.
  • Music machines museum. (Van speelklok tot pierement) Fun, but sometimes a bit loud
  • Bishops museum. Great if you're into martyrdom and torture.
  • Dom tower. Just a tower, but once the highest structure in the country

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

chrisild

Quote from: Figleaf on June 08, 2023, 04:14:24 PMNot sure in which building the event is taking place, but if it is the "old" mint building, it's in very easy walking distance of the Utrecht Central Station.

Hmm, the KNM is in Houten ;) and that is also where the Dag van de Munt will be. But thanks for the tips regarding Utrecht!

quaziright

In my visit to the Netherlands last year, Utrecht was surprisingly underwhelming. I noticed the area around the central station was humming with life, but as you went closer to the historic centre, it kinda went dead. Don't get me wrong, still very beautiful, but just a depressed vibe to it. The tower was under scaffolding when I was there last July and I believe probably still is. I didn't choose to go up it as I've had my share of going up towers and getting a 360 view. The church tower in Delft on the other hand is absolutely worth going up

chrisild

Quote from: quaziright on June 09, 2023, 02:24:00 PMI noticed the area around the central station was humming with life, but as you went closer to the historic centre, it kinda went dead.

Funny, one time I was there, "downtown" around Oudegracht for example was very busy. I just have not had the time so far (i.e. my plans/schedules were different) to see more. That will certainly change. ;)

eurocoin

#7
It was a quite nice event. After having arrived in Houten by train, I went to the mint by public transport mini bus. Houten abolished almost the entire regular bus service. Instead, one can now order a mini bus in an app.

It was way less busy than normal. I struck a visitor's medal and met mintmaster Van Ravenswaaij for the second time. A mint employee told me that this was more of a test edition and that partial access to the production area could possibly be introduced again in the future (it was already considered for this edition).

Although the production area was only visible from behind a long glass wall, mint employes were standing by to answer questions. Currently circulation production was taking place for Israel, Jamaica and Sierra Leone. Next week production will begin for Aruba. And next month the production for the Netherlands will start. These countries are nothing out of the ordinary really, which is nice as it confirms that there is a good view of the production at RDM.

The 2022-dated Belgian 5 euro cent with new mintmastermark and commemorative 2 euro coins in circulation quality were all delivered to the Belgian government, with the last administrative paperwork for the Belgian government in regard of the 5 euro cent order having been completed yesterday.

chrisild

Quote from: eurocoin on June 10, 2023, 01:40:55 PMA mint employee told me that this was more of a test edition and that partial access to the production area could possibly be introduced again in the future (it was already considered for this edition).

Sounds good! :like:  So ... DvdM 2024, here I come! At least it will be on my agenda; this year I knew it would not work out.

As for public transport, yes, in smaller cities in DE we have such on-demand services too. Problem is that many places have their own apps. Ah well, if the weather is nice, I can just walk from the Houten or the Castellum train station. ;)

krishna

Quote from: eurocoin on June 10, 2023, 01:40:55 PMIt was a quite nice event. After having arrived in Houten by train, I went to the mint by public transport mini bus. Houten abolished almost the entire regular bus service. Instead, one can now order a mini bus in an app.

It was way less busy than normal. I struck a visitor's medal and met mintmaster Van Ravenswaaij for the second time. A mint employee told me that this was more of a test edition and that partial access to the production area could possibly be introduced again in the future (it was already considered for this edition).

Although the production area was only visible from behind a long glass wall, mint employes were standing by to answer questions. Currently circulation production was taking place for Israel, Jamaica and Sierra Leone. Next week production will begin for Aruba. And next month the production for the Netherlands will start. These countries are nothing out of the ordinary really, which is nice as it confirms that there is a good view of the production at RDM.

The 2022-dated Belgian 5 euro cent with new mintmastermark and commemorative 2 euro coins in circulation quality were all delivered to the Belgian government, with the last administrative paperwork for the Belgian government in regard of the 5 euro cent order having been completed yesterday.
Mouth watering, appetite wetting
Awesome

eurocoin

Some photos I made. Was very difficult due to the reflection of the sun on the glass. In contrary to the previous building which had a lot of separate rooms, this is one big hall for almost everything.

351454017_3477307185930321_1247272305512617498_n-min.jpg

351236657_1327014834569434_6717795920081974036_n-min (1).jpg

Figleaf

Funny. I almost missed the presses standing in a half-forgotten corner.

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

chrisild

 ;D

And thank you for the photos, eurocoin!

redlock