It takes center stage at the Super Bowl.
It graces the 50-yard line and determines who will get the kick-off in the championship game. But, before it ever travels to Arizona the Super Bowl coin is expertly crafted in Central Florida.
The Highland Mint in Melbourne etches the heads and tails into the decision-making coin.
It’s a job Vince Bohbot said the company has been doing for nearly three decades.
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The Executive Vice President of The Highland Mint joined Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden on Florida’s Fourth Estate to talk more about it.
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Bohbot said it all started in 1993 when he took over what he calls “a failing business” and turned it around.
“(The Highland Mint is) kind of like the U.S. mint except we are minting investment grade rounds and not currency and we are privately owned,” he said.
Everything is done at their Melbourne location including melting silver, framing and packaging.
“Every component that we use is made in the USA. So whether it’s the wood; it’s sourced in the U.S., whether it’s paper; it’s sourced in the U.S., whether it’s metal; it’s sourced in the U.S. — and so we were very proud of that side of our business,” Bohbot said.
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He said his company doesn’t just make the Super Bowl coin.
“We also sell replicas of the coin.”
He said those generate royalties and sales for the NFL.
The company isn’t just responsible for the big game.
“We make the flip coin for every NFL game and the postseason — there are special coins made for each week,” Bohbot said.
If you plan on heading to the game Bohbot said the Melbourne-based company also frames tickets and coins.
“That’s a really big seller,” he said.
You can learn more about The Highland Mint on Florida’s Fourth Estate. You can download the podcast from wherever you listen to podcasts or watch anytime on News 6+,