Danbury Mint
Private mint known for collectibles and die-cast vehicles.
Danbury Mint is a private company that sells collectibles, ranging from medals and ingots to plates, bells, sculptures, and die-cast vehicles. It is especially recognized for its 1:24 scale die-cast cars, including a now-discontinued replica of James Bond’s DB5.
The mint was established in 1969 in Westport, Connecticut, by Ralph Glendinning and Ted Stanley as a part of Glendinning Companies. Its debut product was a set of medals honoring the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Over time, the company produced many commemorative items—such as figurines, collector plates, dolls, and die-cast cars—tied to historical events and figures. Examples include items related to Shirley Temple, Princess Diana, Barack Obama’s inauguration, Corvettes, Hummel figurines, and gold Christmas ornaments.
In 1970, Danbury Mint’s first sister division, the Postal Commemorative Society, was launched; it was renamed PCS Stamps & Coins in 2006 to better reflect a move from stamps toward coin-related products. Both divisions were incorporated as MBI in 1973. Two years later, in 1975, Easton Press became MBI’s third division, and MBI was separated from Glendinning Companies to operate as an independent entity.
Quick Facts
- Founder
- Ralph Glendinning / Ted Stanley
- Founded
- 1969
- Hq Location
- Norwalk, Connecticut
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Danbury Mint was founded in Westport, Connecticut, by Ralph Glendinning and Ted Stanley in 1969, as a subsidiary of Glendinning Companies. Their first product was a series of medals commemorating the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The company historically marketed medals and ingots produced by others exclusively for them, and later expanded into numerous other collectible offerings including plates, bells, sculptures, dolls, and die-cast cars. Its first sister division was formed in 1970 under the name Postal Commemorative Society, which was changed to PCS Stamps & Coins in 2006 to reflect a shift in product mix from stamps to coin-related products. In 1973, both divisions were incorporated as MBI. In 1975, Easton Press was formed as MBI's third division, and MBI was spun off from Glendinning Companies as a separate company.
Reader's Guide
Danbury Mint's significance lies in its broad range of commemorative items spanning historical events and figures, from the Apollo 11 moon landing to Shirley Temple, Princess Diana, Barack Obama's inauguration, Corvettes, Hummel figurines, and gold Christmas ornaments. The company is particularly notable among collectors for its 1:24 scale die-cast vehicles, especially the now discontinued James Bond's DB5. Its corporate structure evolved through the creation of sister divisions—Postal Commemorative Society (later PCS Stamps & Coins) and Easton Press—and the incorporation of these divisions as MBI in 1973, which was later spun off from its original parent. This organizational history reflects the company's adaptation from medals and stamps to a wider collectibles market. The Danbury Mint's legacy is tied to its role as a producer of licensed, themed collectibles that appeal to hobbyists and commemorative buyers alike.
Did You Know?
- The company is well known for its 1:24 scale die-cast vehicles, including a now discontinued James Bond's DB5.
- In 1973, Danbury Mint and its sister division Postal Commemorative Society were incorporated as MBI.
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