Moonlight Mint - Minting Services

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Moonlight Mint – Minting Services

A typical minting project involves the following steps:

1) Concept and design.

2) 3-D digital sculpting.

3) Die engraving.

4) Blank fabrication.

5) Striking.

6) Post-strike marking & finishing.

7) Packaging and shipping.

At Moonlight Mint, all of these steps are performed in person by Daniel Carr. With design and engraving capabilities far beyond those of most mints, your finished products will excel in aesthetic appeal. Unlike other mints where the designer is often anonymous, having your products created by a well-known artist will increase the market acceptance and market valuation. Daniel Carr is the designer of the New York and Rhode Island state quarters for the US Mint. Numerous examples of other numismatic items created by Daniel Carr can be viewed in the on-line store at www.DC-Coin.com . In addition, everything minted at Moonlight Mint has the added cachet of being struck using a surplus US Denver Mint coin press.

Your artwork can be used although there is no change in cost. The cost is the same whether the design is created by Daniel Carr or by someone else. Moonlight Mint can create dies for use at other mints. However, Moonlight Mint generally will not utilize any dies that were fabricated elsewhere (vintage and/or historic dies excepted). Note that not all proposed projects are undertaken. Certain items of a controversial or offensive nature will be declined. Anything that is significantly similar to any product lines that have been issued (or are planned to be issued) by Moonlight Mint will also be declined.

The following is a guide with general cost estimates for each of the seven minting steps.

(Note that two designs and two dies are needed for a two-sided piece.)
Some non-profit organizations (such as Coin Clubs) can qualify for a 10% discount off the listed prices for design, sculpting, engraving, striking, and marking.

1) Concept and design. 2) 3-D digital sculpting. The design and sculpting phases of a minting project can vary widely, based upon the level of difficulty and detail. Examples of various designs and their approximate costs are listed below. Note that all proposed designs are initially produced in a 3-D digital format. This has many advantages such as ease of revisions. The computer, however, is a tool and is not a substitute for the skill of a sculptor. The software used to perform the digital 3-D surface sculpting was actually written by Daniel Carr himself. Computer-generated renderings are produced for review and approval prior to step 3 (die engraving).
Sample design & sculpture, sorted by complexity/difficulty:	Estimated cost for design & sculpting:

	$200
	$400
	$1,000
	$1,600 [Replication of existing coin or Medal design elements (with revisions)]
	$2,000
	$2,000
	$2,000

3) Die engraving (hardening via heat-treating included). Die engraving is performed digitally using a highly-accurate computer-controlled milling/engraving machine. Before engraving dies, the customer will have the opportunity to review, suggest revisions, and approve the renderings of the 3-D digital sculpture. Once that is done, the die engraving (and thus, the finished product) are guaranteed to look exactly like the approved rendering because both the rendering and the engraving are generated by computer from the same source data. Note that multiple dies can be engraved from the same sculpture. For example, the same basic design can be used for two die engravings, one engraving marked “Copper” and the other “Silver” (for minting two different metals). The cost for multiple versions of the same basic sculpture are usually minimal or completely free.
Die diameter:	Estimated cost for engraving:

16mm	$400
22mm	$425
25mm	$450
27mm	$475
30mm	$550
34mm	$600
39mm	$650
41mm	$700
50mm	$800
63mm	$1000

Odd shapes (Octagon, etc.) (Price applies if special tooling is already available - extra cost if special tooling has to be fabricated)	$750-$1,500

Die finishing:	Finishing Cost:

Fine bead-blasting for satin finish.	$ Free
Polishing for “cameo” proof-like finish.	20% of engraving cost

4) Blank “planchet” fabrication (includes punching, rimming, annealing, and burnishing).

Prices for precious metals can be locked in once funds are received and the metals are actually purchased.
Your precious metals can also be used or exchanged.

Blank diameter and type (round, unless otherwise noted):

Price per blank:

Base Metal (copper)

25mm, 30mm, 39mm

$3 each

999 Silver

16mm 1/20-troy-oz, 25mm ¼-troy-oz, 30mm ½-troy-oz, 39mm 1-troy-oz

Silver (physical) market price (per troy oz)

plus $4 each

999 Silver

50mm 2-troy-oz

Silver (physical) market price (per troy oz)

plus $5 each

999+ Gold

16mm 1/10-troy-oz