Coins – Birmingham Manufactures and Industries Foresters Guide Book 1883

Birmingham in the old times had a bad reputation for its skill in making bad money, but now its reputation is equally great for making good. In 1797 the famous Matthew Boulton set up a mint at Soho for making copper coin. The work is now carried on by Messrs. Heaton and Co., at the Mint in Icknield Street, and the pence and halfpence are now made in bronze. The execution is admirable in all respects; and the speed with which coins can be produced is shown by the fact that a million pieces have been made in a single day. It is an interesting sight, and as the machines now work without making any noise, it may be witnessed and the visitor will not be made deaf by the process.

Source: The Foresters’ Guide to Birmingham and Its Neighbourhood. Presented by the Demonstration Committee to the Delegates In High Court Meeting, Assembled in Birmingham, August, 1883.Specially Prepared For the Occasion by John Alfred Langford, LL.D; F.R.H.S. Birmingham: James Upton, Baskerville Printing Works, Great Charles Street. 1883