1920-1950 AD., Great Britain, Birmingham mint medal, Steel alloy

Great Britain, Birmingham mint medal, ca. 1920-1950 AD.,
Steel alloy (25 mm / 5,58 g),
Obv.: THE MINT, BIRMINGHAM / LIMITED , arms with a male (a smith) and a female standing figure beside, beneath ribbon inscribed FORWARD.
Rev.: MANUFACTURERES OF / NON FERROUS ALLOYS / IN / SHEETS / STRIP WIRE / BLANKS TUBES / STAMPINGS, ETC / AND / COINAGE , around and in linear circle.
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The Birmingham Mint, a coining mint, originally known as Heaton's Mint or Ralph Heaton & Sons, in Birmingham, England started producing tokens and coins in 1850 as a private enterprise, separate from, but in cooperation with the Royal Mint. Its factory was situated in Icknield Street, on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter. It was created by Ralph Heaton II, using second-hand coin presses bought from the estate of Matthew Boulton. It was formed from Matthew Boulton and James Watt's Soho Mint and Ralph Heaton's, taking in the King's Norton Metal Company along the way.
The Soho Mint, under Matthew Boulton's initiative was the foremost mint of its day, mainly due to its industrialisation, and the design, building and installation of innovative and powerful machinery. Boulton was one of the leaders of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt is famous for harnessing steam power.
In later years, the plant became increasingly busy with the introduction of the Euro within the European Union; the mint produced several million €1 and €2 coins. However, a slump in trade and contractual agreements between them and the Royal Mint resulted in the sale of the mint in late 2003. The Mint was acquired by JFT Law & Co Limited who still produce and sell commemorative coins and medals from a website. Substantial parts of the plant and machinery were subsequently purchased by an Indian company, Lord's Security Mint Limited. The Pobjoy Mint purchased the newest high speed presses plus new tooling.
The Birmingham Mint went into liquidation in March 2003, after 209 years existence as one of the world's leading mints.
Most of the complex, excluding the Icknield Street block and the rear, retaining, wall, was demolished in April 2007.The mint was acquired by JFT Law & Co Ltd and Stirchley Machine Tools Ltd in 2003, presumably from the liquidators.