Attila Vinczer’s Story
My journey in the trades began at a tender young age of 9 when I started working after school and Saturdays at my late father’s jewellery shop in Toronto. Peter S. Vinczer, Founder of The Premier Canadian Mint 67 years ago, set in my eyes and soul the alure of making things when I was barely a toddler. At the age of 12, instead of buying me a 10 speed bike, my father allowed me to use his shop to manufacture the Hungarian Boy Scouts belt buckles. A $700 contract that netted me a profit of $450 and enough to buy a $375 Monte Carlo 10 speed racing bike, I still ride nearly 50 years later.
Thought about becoming a dentist, but found a job at Cam Tool & Die, where Árpád Takács gave me a chance to learn the art of Tool & Die Making. Worked 6 months for free. My remuneration was a chance to learn during a deep recession, 1979/1980. Expanded my knowledge at Exco Engineering in Mould Making and copy milling. At Van Tak Tool & Die, built several dies, including a 14 tone, complex progressive transfer system die. Went into business at the age of 21, earning my first million by age 27.
Was hired at 21 to build a plant, manufacturing the RAM rechargeable battery. Produced hundreds of dies to manufacture over 400 different NSNs, badges and insignias for the Canadian Military leading to specializing in minted products. Was invited by the Royal Canadian Mint to bid on making the Toonie Coin Blank in 1992. Successfully bid on manufacturing 100 million coin blanks for the Philippine Central Bank. Designed and built a production line that made 13,500 coin blanks per minute. Currently working on a new coin blank production line to manufacture 100,000 parts per minute. Recent focus is to acquire a Junior Mine to expand our precious metals coin blank and minting operations.
