1400–1800 | The Royal Mint

1489

The First Sovereign
is Struck

Henry VII orders a ‘new money of gold’ to establish the might and power of his reign. The coin struck is the Sovereign and it is still known as the coin of the monarch today. More than 500 years later, it is one of our flagship coins.

1662

Modernised Methods
of Production Begin

After spending years exiled in Europe, Charles II returns to the throne and influences the introduction of new production methods at The Royal Mint, with coins being manufactured using horse-drawn rolling mills and screw presses instead of being struck by hand.

1696

Isaac Newton Becomes
Warden of the Mint

On the recommendation of Charles Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Isaac Newton is appointed Warden of The Royal Mint; he becomes Master of the Mint in 1699, a post he holds until his death in 1727.