Lady Mayor welcomes Trial of The Pyx to Mansion House
The Royal Mint has today submitted 7,838 coins for testing at one of the UK’s oldest judicial ceremonies, the Trial of the Pyx, which has been held for the first time in its 777-year history at Mansion House in the City of London.
The official residence of the Lord Mayors of the City of London since 1752, in November 2025 Mansion House became home to the first Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley, DBE. A freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Lady Mayor welcomed spectators to the Egyptian Hall, which is based on designs by the classical Roman architect Vitruvius of Roman buildings in Egypt. This is only the second time since 1871 that the Trial of The Pyx has been held outside of Goldsmiths’ Hall, which is designated as the location for the Trial by the Coinage Act of 1870.
L-R: Anne Jessopp, CEO, The Royal Mint; The King’s Remembrancer, Senior Master Cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court; Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan langley; Brigadier Ed Butler CBE DSO, Prime Warden (Chairs the Board) of the Goldsmiths’ Company; Gary Langley.
Tuesday 10 February 2025 – The Royal Mint has today submitted 7,838 coins for testing at one of the UK’s oldest judicial ceremonies, the Trial of the Pyx, which has been held for the first time in its 777-year history at Mansion House in the City of London.
The official residence of the Lord Mayors of the City of London since 1752, in November 2025 Mansion House became home to the first Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley, DBE. A freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Lady Mayor welcomed spectators to the Egyptian Hall, which is based on designs by the classical Roman architect Vitruvius of Roman buildings in Egypt. This is only the second time since 1871 that the Trial of The Pyx has been held outside of Goldsmiths’ Hall, which is designated as the location for the Trial by the Coinage Act of 1870.
The Trial of The Pyx aims to protect consumers by upholding the quality of the nation’s coinage through rigorous independent inspection and testing. As important today as it was at the first recorded public trial in 1248, the modern process ensures that the coins produced by The Royal Mint meet the standards of precision, accuracy and exceptional craftsmanship for which it is internationally renowned.
Alongside a wide range of bullion coins in silver, gold, and platinum, this year’s submission featured a bounty of collectable coins commemorating important achievements, anniversaries, people and characters, available in a variety of metals and finishes. These include celebrations of the 15th anniversary of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved children’s character, Zog; 50 years of Liberty; 200 years of the modern railway and 350 years of the Royal Observatory. While the Royal Mint’s popular Music Legends series welcomed new additions from Iron Maiden, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.
As well as UK coins, occasionally interesting pieces produced for other countries enter the trial. This year, an example of which is the "ΕΛ" 22ct gold Sovereign for Greece a limited-edition piece celebrating a 15-year collaboration between Piraeus Bank and The Royal Mint, featuring a privy mark symbolising "Hellas".
A handful of the "ΕΛ" 22ct gold Sovereign. A limited-edition piece celebrating a 15-year collaboration between Piraeus Bank and The Royal Mint.
A sample of all new coins struck by The Royal Mint – whether currency or collectable – is submitted to the Trial of the Pyx each year. The coins are rigorously checked for fineness and quality by an independent jury which has been made up of goldsmiths since 1248, before undergoing scientific analysis by the London Assay Office.
The Trial was opened by the King’s Remembrancer, Senior Master (Jeremy David) Cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court, who will also deliver the verdict once testing and analysis have been completed later in the year.
“For over 700 years, the Trial of the Pyx has served as the ultimate test of our craftsmanship. This ceremony represents far more than tradition; it is a public commitment to excellence that we are proud to uphold. Every coin submitted whether circulating currency, commemorative pieces or bullion demonstrates our dedication to precision and quality across everything we produce.”
“ating back to the 12th century, my role is to answer for the purity of the nation’s coins, a responsibility I take extremely seriously. The Trial of the Pyx brings together history, science and accountability in a way that few other ceremonies can match. From the coins in your pocket to collector pieces and investment bullion, each is held to the most rigorous standards through this remarkable judicial process.”
“As we prepare to celebrate our 700th Anniversary with a transformational update to our home, Goldsmiths’ Hall, we are very grateful to the Lady Mayor and the team at Mansion House for supporting the Goldsmiths’ Company in the delivery of one of our most important responsibilities – ensuring the integrity of the nation’s coinage. From pounds and pennies found in pockets and piggy banks across the UK, to 22ct gold sovereigns that are as popular internationally as they are at home, members of the public can rest assured that the coins produced by the Royal Mint have today undergone thorough inspection for quality by a jury of Goldsmiths. These coins will then undergo stringent independent testing for precision and accuracy by the London Assay Office. We are very proud to continue this duty which we have undertaken since 1248.”
“The Trial of the Pyx, one of the United Kingdom’s oldest judicial ceremonies, is a powerful reminder of how the City of London continues to unite deep-rooted tradition and responsibility with modern excellence and innovation. As a member of the Goldsmiths’ Company and a juror at last year’s Trial, I’m really pleased that, for the first time in its 777-year history, the ceremony could be held at Mansion House. The Trial stands as a reminder of the extraordinary craftsmanship behind the nation’s coinage, safeguarding quality, protecting consumers, and upholding public trust.”