Northwest Territorial Mint – Auburn Washington Private Mint History

Overview

Northwest Territorial Mint was a large private mint headquartered in Auburn, Washington that produced bullion rounds, commemorative medals, and challenge coins for collectors, corporations, and government clients. For approximately three decades, it operated as a contract mint, bullion refiner, and custom medal manufacturer. NWTM produced struck bullion rounds, bars, commemoratives, and high-volume challenge coins for military, corporate, and civic clients.

Operations ceased following bankruptcy proceedings in 2016 after federal fraud convictions involving senior management.

Years of Operation

Founded: Mid-1980s
Ceased operations: 2016

Founding & Ownership

Privately owned corporation
Principal executive during later years: Bernard Ross Hansen
Defunct (bankruptcy liquidation, 2016)

Bullion Products

.999 fine silver rounds and bars
Fractional silver rounds
Silver bars (various weights)
Gold bullion issues
“Stagecoach” divisible silver bars

Contract & Custom

Military challenge coins
Law enforcement medals
Corporate commemoratives
Event and promotional medals

NWTM functioned primarily as a commercial contract mint while also marketing proprietary bullion designs.

Mint Mark

Commonly “NWTM”
Placement varies (often lower reverse field)
Some contract products omit visible mint identification

Manufacturing Characteristics

Struck (not cast) production
Reeded or plain edges depending on issue
Bullion satin to proof-like finishes
Standard .999 fine silver purity markings on bullion

Attribution

Confirmed attribution requires either:

Visible NWTM mint mark, or
Documentary evidence (contracts, marketing materials, or die-match analysis).

Because NWTM produced large volumes of third-party contract work, absence of a mint mark does not automatically exclude NWTM manufacture but requires supporting evidence.

Legal & Historical Notes

Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 1, 2016
Federal investigation resulted in convictions for wire and mail fraud
Assets liquidated during court-supervised proceedings