In 1852, a Grand-Ducal decree ordered the issue of copper coins in denominations of 10, 5 and 2 ½ centimes: “small change” for minor transactions. At this time, the right to coin currency had a highly symbolic value for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, but it was above all the prospect of currency exchange profits that motivated the political decision. Ultimately, it was not until 1854 that the first denominations were finally in circulation. The punches shown here, testimonials of this activity, are unique industrial objects: they were an essential instrument in the coining process and are now an invaluable heritage for the Grand-Ducal coining industry.

Strangely, although the coins were struck in Brussels, the dies have the hallmark of the Utrecht mint (an Aesculapius staff) and its director, John van der Wall Bake (a Roman sword). Officially, the dies were destroyed except for these examples, which had been handed over to the Luxembourg government archives. Their trace had been lost until 2006, when the Treasury and Budget Minister had the numismatic collection of Luxembourg’s Banque et Caisse d’Épargne de l’État transferred to the MNHA. Slightly rusty, the set was restored for the opening of the redesigned tour through the numismatic collection in 2015.

Several subsequent issues seem to have used these coining dies at the Paris and Brussels mints (1860, 1865, 1870, 1901). In 1908, a series of 2 ½ centimes coins was produced in Brussels. The matrices used for the manufacture of these particular coins then seem to have been separated from the others, and only two dies with the digits 2 and ½ have been preserved.