A commemorative coin produced in Birmingham will be presented to President Donald Trump after a university professor was inspired by a US reality TV show.

Professor Julian Beer, deputy vice-chancellor of Birmingham City University (BCU), was watching Pawn Stars, a show which centres on life at a Los Angeles pawn shop, when a rare coin called the Large Eagle Washington Centfeatured.

Prof Beer said he found himself captivated by its history and Birmingham's connection to the coin.

He decided to have 400 coins reproduced by BCU's school of jewellery to give to delegates attending the British American Business Council (BABC) conference in Birmingham this week.

The first two commemorative coins minted are being presented to US Ambassador Robert Johnson at the conference's gala dinner tonight at Birmingham Town Hall, with one for him to pass on to President Trump.

All other delegates attending the conference will also be presented with the coin as a memento.

The coins were cast in pewter by the AE Williams family who are based in Digbeth and whose works features in TV shows such as Poldark and Game of Thrones.

They have been making the alloy since 1779.

The original Large Eagle Washington Cent was one of two coins commissioned in 1791 by Birmingham firm W and Alexander Walker and designed by engraver John Gregory Hancock.

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