A mint was established in the Saxon burgh of Brycgstow by the 10th century and the town rose to prominence in the Norman era. By the 13th century Bristol had become a busy port. Woollen cloth and wheat were exported, and wine from Gascony and Bordeaux, along with Spanish sherry and Toledo steel were major imports. There is also evidence of extensive trade with Iceland, Ireland, France and Spain. A stone bridge was built across the Avon, c. 1245-7 and between the years of 1240 and 1247 a Great Ditch was constructed in St Augustine's Marsh to straighten out the course of the River Frome and provide more space for berthing ships.

Being an important city, Bristol had one of several provincial mints. The mint in Bristol was housed in various buildings at different times. An indenture by William Turnmire, Master of the Tower Mint, dated 8th December 1279, named a mint in Bristol to hold twelve furnaces. It actually opened in on 2nd January 1280 with the Mint Keeper being the Constable of the Castle, Peter de la Mare. At the time it was probably easier to move bullion around rather than transport coins from a central, national mint.

The mint in Bristol wasn't in full time use, it would produce enough coin for local needs then cease production. So, when the mint was opened in 1280 it only operated for less than two years before being shut down again in the autumn of 1281. During that period it had minted around £40,000 worth of coins. New quarters were built for mint working in 1300 inside the castle and another minting took place between then and 1302. Until then, the mint the Bristol Mint struck only silver coins (halfpennies, pennies, half-groats and groats). The mint was then closed until 1465.