Students design commemorative coins

Every graduate will be given a unique commemorative coin to mark the first awards ceremonies of Glyndŵr University.

The 50mm diameter coins, minted in a polished silver coloured metal, have been designed by students from the North Wales School of Art and Design (NWSAD).

The face is based on an original seal which the Welsh scholar and leader Owain Glyndŵr used in official correspondences, in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The design on the reverse has been inspired by a coin that was discovered locally and was manufactured during his lifetime.

Lillian Chapman, Emily Lowery and Samantha Moore, students on the BA (Hons) Applied Arts programme at Glyndŵr University, produced the coin designs.

Cerys Alonso, Senior Lecturer in Applied Arts at NWSAD, helped coordinate the project along with Steve Keegan, Subject Leader for Applied Arts.

She said: “It was a terrific opportunity for the students to contribute to an exciting new era for Glyndŵr University and a great experience for everyone involved.

“The commission of the commemorative coins was set to form part of the students’ assessment towards their degree so in that sense it was of real value as well.

“It took eight weeks for the designs to be completed and they were then approved by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott before being put into production.”

Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “It’s great to be able to give the graduates a special gift to mark attending the first graduation ceremonies at Glyndŵr University. The art students have put a lot of research and work into designing the coins. I’m sure Owain Glyndŵr would be delighted to know that his seal is still being used 7 centuries after he first used it.”

The university is named after Owain Glyndŵr in honour of the famous Welshman’s enterprising spirit. Born near Wrexham around 1355, he was proudly Welsh and dedicated his life to building a prosperous European nation. He dreamt of a Wales with its own government and its own universities.

Glyndŵr University was formed in July when the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI) was granted full university status.