Shire Post Mint

Overview

Shire Post Mint is a family-owned company specializing in hand-engraved solid metal coins, primarily officially licensed fantasy coinage from properties like The Lord of the Rings, A Song of Ice and Fire, and others, alongside original designs such as moons and pizza coins.¹² It operates from a facility in West Fork, Arkansas, using antique coin presses and 19th-century techniques, with products sold online and through US retail partners, including a gift shop and mini-museum at the site.¹²

History

Shire Post Mint was founded in 2001 by Tom Maringer, who purchased an antique coin press and applied his coin collecting passion and knife-making metalworking experience to create coins using hand-engraving and one-at-a-time pressing techniques from the 1800s.¹² After years of research and building an online following, George R.R. Martin commissioned coins for A Song of Ice and Fire, leading to growth and international recognition.¹² In 2021, the company moved to a new 7,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in West Fork, Arkansas, and acquired Rare Elements Foundry, founded in 2013 by Miya Sohoza and Kerry Bodenbender.¹³

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in-house at the company's facility in West Fork, Arkansas, using hand-engraved steel dies and antique coin presses to strike solid metals one at a time, replicating 1800s techniques.¹² The family-run operation includes self-taught engravers with experience in metallurgy and machining.² In 2021, it acquired Rare Elements Foundry to expand capabilities.³

Notable Products

• A Song of Ice and Fire Coins - Coins commissioned by George R.R. Martin, marking early licensed success.
• The Lord of the Rings Coins - Officially licensed J.R.R. Tolkien coins central to fantasy lineup.
• Mistborn Coins - Officially licensed Brandon Sanderson coins from the Mistborn series.
• Conan the Barbarian Coins - Officially licensed coins from the Conan fantasy property.
• Pizza Coins - Original design coin among custom fantasy items.

Reputation

Shire Post Mint is recognized internationally for high craftsmanship, attention to detail, and authentic historical minting techniques in fantasy coinage.¹² Enthusiasts and professionals value its officially licensed products from major fantasy IPs and family-owned, small-scale operation.¹⁴ No significant criticisms noted in available sources.¹²