Matthew Boulton, Father of Modern coin Making

 Matthew Boulton created the Soho Mint  in his manufactory  in 1788. Containing eight  steam engine  driven machines, each capable of striking 70 to 84 coins per minute with perfectly round, all of equal diameter and exactly concentric with the edge. Much faster machines, operated by fewer persons, for less expense and most importantly minting much beautiful coins than any other  in the market. 

 steam engine  driven machines

The machine kept an account of the number of pieces struck. The steam machinery strikes an inscription on the edge and two faces in only one cycle unlike older machinery which required two or three cycles for each coin. In addition to copper coins, silver coins were also struck for the British colonies, and various medals and trade tokens were also consulted.

In 1797, Soho mint was awarded a contract for striking official cartwheel one and two pence coins. Weighing one ounce and two ounces respectively, they were very large and thick.  

Being so large and thick, they were difficult to counterfeit because they required a steam-powered coin press those were only owned by Matthew Boulton and James Watt. Soho Mint alone  struck some 45 million pennies, twopenny pieces and halfpennies produced  between 1797-1799.

Name of Soho Mint appear on famous Cartwheel two penny

These pennies, twopenny pieces and halfpennies were designed by the leading European medals, Küchler.Partners Boulton &Watt later supplied steam powered press to the Royal Mint and mints abroad. Mathew Boulton is certainly credited to be the father of present coinage.

Condition of British Coins in 18th Century

Watt, in his eulogy after Boulton's 1809 death, stated:

‘’In short, had Mr. Boulton done nothing more in the world than he has accomplished in improving the coinage, his name would deserve to be immortalised.’’


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