Rarities Mint (Anaheim, CA)

Overview

Rarities Mint was a private precious-metals mint headquartered in Anaheim, California, active from approximately 1984 through 1995. Founded by mint master Ian S. Simpson, the company specialized in .999 fine silver and gold commemoratives, licensed entertainment issues, political memorabilia, and limited-edition collector medals. Rarities Mint became known for producing officially licensed pieces for major entertainment properties including Disney, Warner Bros., Peanuts, E.T., and Star Wars, as well as political and historical commemoratives. The firm’s products are identified by the distinctive interlocking RM mint mark.

Location / Years

Location: Anaheim, California

Years Active: 1984–1995

Leadership

Founder / Mint Master: Ian S. Simpson

Documented personnel associated with major Rarities Mint programs include:

  • Ian S. Simpson — Founder and Mint Master
  • Jack A. Gardner Jr. — Art Director
  • David R. Trottier — Project Director
  • Don Everhart — Sculptor / Engraver

Business Activities

Rarities Mint specialized in the design, manufacture, and marketing of commemorative precious-metal products. The company produced licensed and commemorative issues for:

  • Walt Disney Productions
  • Warner Bros.
  • Universal Pictures
  • Paramount Pictures
  • Amblin Entertainment
  • Lucasfilm
  • Peanuts
  • Ronald Reagan–related commemoratives
  • State of California commemorative programs

The company marketed products directly to collectors while also manufacturing issues for third-party distributors and commemorative programs.

Mint Mark

Mint Mark: RM

Rarities Mint products are identified by an interlocking RM monogram. The mark appears on documented Disney issues, company warranty materials, and political commemoratives including the 1984 Republican National Convention Dallas silver round.

Known Output

Documented products include:

  • 1984 Republican National Convention silver medals and rounds
  • Snow White 50th Anniversary silver and gold commemoratives (1987)
  • Disney “Be Happy” silver rounds
  • Mickey Mouse anniversary issues
  • E.T. commemorative medals
  • Warner Bros. character medals
  • State of California commemorative issues
  • Various .999 fine silver and gold commemorative rounds

Corporate History

Rarities Mint emerged during the mid-1980s commemorative-medal boom and quickly established itself as a producer of licensed entertainment and political memorabilia. The company secured licensing agreements with major entertainment properties and issued a variety of serialized silver and gold collector pieces during the second half of the decade.

A contemporary newspaper report documented that Rarities Mint produced medallions for the 1984 Republican National Convention and held an exclusive Disney licensing arrangement for certain anniversary commemoratives.

During the late 1980s the company became involved in litigation concerning marketing practices associated with commemorative coin sales. Following settlement of those matters, the company reportedly shifted emphasis toward wholesale manufacturing and distribution.

Attribution Notes

The interlocking RM mint mark serves as the primary identifier for Rarities Mint products. The mark is documented on company packaging, warranty materials, and numerous licensed commemorative issues. The presence of the RM monogram on the 1984 Republican National Convention Dallas silver round supports attribution of that issue to Rarities Mint as manufacturer.

Notes

  • Founded in 1984 by Ian S. Simpson.
  • Known primarily for licensed entertainment and commemorative issues.
  • Produced both silver and gold collector pieces.
  • The RM mint mark is consistently used across documented company products.
  • Operations appear to have ceased by approximately 1995.

Coins from this Mint (1)