Struck at the Soho Mint in 1797
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In 1788 Boulton established his Soho Mint, producing high-quality coins and medals.

In 1797, after years of lobbying, he was awarded the contract to produce the British copper coinage.

The first copper coins that Boulton minted for the British Government are know as 'cartwheels', because of their large size and raised rims. The reason they were so large was because the weight of the coins were equal to the value of their copper content.

Between 1797-1799 alone c.45 million pennies, two-penny pieces and halfpennies, designed by the leading European medallist, Conrad Heinrich Küchler, were produced at the Soho Mint.

In addition to producing coinage, Boulton & Watt also re-equipped the Royal Mint and mints abroad.

Boulton’s contribution to the creation of reliable British coinage was arguably his most significant legacy. After his death in 1809, James Watt wrote: ‘had Mr B. done nothing more in the world than what he has done in improving the coinage, his fame would have deserved to be immortalized.’