Sixpences made from recycled silver pass the Trial of the Pyx
The King’s Remembrancer, Senior Master Cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court, has today pronounced a positive verdict on the 6,432 coins submitted in February by The Royal Mint at the Trial of the Pyx – one of the United Kingdom’s oldest judicial processes.
A limited run of collectible sixpences made from X-Ray silver are among the coins that have passed the Trial of the Pyx, one of the UK’s oldest judicial processes.
The 700-year-old process aims to protect consumers by upholding the quality of the nation’s coinage through rigorous testing – as important today as it was at the first recorded public trial in 1248.
The Verdict is the last stage of the Trial, which was opened in February and is presided over by the King’s Remembrancer, Senior Master (Jeremy David) Cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court.
The Royal Mint submitted 6,432 coins for testing, including the sixpences made from recycled silver, a selection of limited-edition coins for collectors, and gold bullion coins in the form of the 22ct Sovereign and the 24ct Britannia.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who as Master of the Mint is held responsible for the result, has received a positive verdict on the coins submitted at this year’s Trial of the Pyx.
Thursday 15 May 2025 - The King’s Remembrancer, Senior Master Cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court, has today pronounced a positive verdict on the 6,432 coins submitted in February by The Royal Mint at the Trial of the Pyx – one of the United Kingdom’s oldest judicial processes.
Among the submissions was a silver sixpence made from silver recovered from expired medical and industrial x-ray films. Reintroduced by The Royal Mint in 2016 as a decimal coin, the silver sixpence is traditionally thought to bring luck and good fortune when given as a gift at weddings, birthdays, christenings and anniversaries. The x-ray silver sixpence was released in a limited run to promote the revival of “Stir Up Sunday” – a Victorian tradition where a silver sixpence would be placed into the Christmas pudding mix, before family members took turns to stir the pudding and make a wish – their production forms part of the Mint’s commitment to pioneering sustainability across its businesses.
Alongside gold bullion coins in the form of the 22ct Sovereign and the 24ct Britannia, this year’s submission featured a range of collectable coins designs for the young, and the young-at-heart. Available in a variety of metals and finishes, these include a 20th birthday celebration of the Gruffalo’s Child, new additions to The Royal Mint’s Harry Potter and Star Wars collections, and a trio of designs based on the myth and legend of Robin Hood.
Today’s verdict marks the end of a three-stage process, which began in February, when a jury of Goldsmiths’ Company members carefully counted and weighed a randomly selected sample of all new coins from The Royal Mint’s 2024 production. After adjourning for three months to allow the London Assay Office time to thoroughly test the coins, the King’s Remembrancer then delivers the verdict at Goldsmiths’ Hall, where both the Trial and the Verdict have taken place annually since 1871.
The Trial - which was first conducted in 1248 - fulfils a legal requirement imposed by an Act of Parliament (Coinage Act 1971) to conduct an examination by jury to ascertain that the coins of the realm, produced by The Royal Mint, are of the correct weight, size, and composition. As Master of The Royal Mint, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is held responsible for the outcome.
Richard Reid, Prime Warden (Chairs the Board) of the Goldsmiths’ Company commented:
“Today’s verdict – which follows robust scientific testing by the London Assay Office – highlights the Royal Mint’s dedication to quality, accuracy and craftsmanship, and underscores the Goldsmiths’ Company’s centuries long commitment to protect consumers by ensuring the integrity of their coinage – a responsibility that we have proudly held for more than 700 years.”
Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive and Deputy Master of The Royal Mint said:
“The Trial of the Pyx has tested the integrity and quality of Britain’s coinage for centuries and is an important part of our history. Our future focuses on bringing sustainability to the fore in our industry, and for the first time coins crafted from silver recovered from medical and industrial x-rays were submitted to the Trial for testing. The successful verdict at this year’s Trial of the Pyx reaffirms the exceptional standards that have defined The Royal Mint for over 1,100 years.”
Dan Thomas, Head of Lifestyle Operations at The Royal Mint and The King’s Assay Master said:
“The Trial of the Pyx stands as one of our nation’s most significant protections of standards, and I am pleased to report that the coins examined have successfully met the exacting requirements prescribed by law. In my role as King’s Assay Master, I’ve witnessed first-hand the meticulous testing of weight, composition and dimensions that each coin must pass. This successful verdict isn’t merely procedural; it ensures that the public can have absolute confidence in the integrity of our coinage.”
Photography Copyright Paul Read Photography 2025