The Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt (Bavarian State Mint) in Munich traces its history to around 1158, making it one of the oldest mints in Europe. Today, alongside German circulating and commemorative coinage, it strikes bullion and collector coins for other issuing authorities to its exacting standards.
Its best-known international product is the Somali Elephant, a .9999 gold (and silver) series issued in the name of Somalia but produced in Munich, famous for a new elephant design each year and for the Mint’s clean, high-relief strike quality. The Bavarian State Mint’s reputation for craftsmanship is why coins it produces compete on quality with the major sovereign mints.