December 21st 2001.

Next club meeting Monday 6th January 2003.

Meetings are held at the Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

December meeting.

Twenty two members came to the December meeting to hear Mr K Clancy from the Royal Mint speak on the history and use of the reducing machine.

The reducing machine is essentially a three dimensional pantograph system incorporating a milling machine. At one side of the pantograph is a stylus that traces over a model. The movement of this stylus is faithfully reproduced at the other side of the pantograph, where a cutter is positioned. The reduction ratio is obtained by adjusting the position of the fulcrums.

An artist produces a plaster model of the coin or medallion many times larger than the finished item. Through a series of processes a reinforced nickel electrotype is produced. This is placed into one side of the machine. On the other side of the machine the steel blank for the die is placed. The fulcrums are adjusted to obtain the required reduction ratio and as the stylus traces over the electrotype image so the motion is exactly reproduced and cut into the steel blank (ie, it works as a milling machine). Mr Clancy explained there were two fundamental types of machine, one where the model and blank are held stationary and the stylus cutter incrementally rotate across them, the other where the blank and model rotate while the stylus cutter are linearly incremented. He further explained that one of the principal requisites for obtaining quality products from this machine was the skill in making the cutters.

Since the days of these early mechanical machines there have been radical changes. The modern machine consists of a needle scanning linearly across the model, the motion of which is used to generate the computer control of an NC milling machine. No doubt in the future, laser scanning will have a part to play.

Mr Clancy explained the reducing machine was a mid 18th century French invention and the mint purchased its first Janvier reducing machine in 1819. The then master of the mint, William Wesley Pole, and the engraver Benedetto Pistrucci were great supporters of this technology, because a large number of dies could be produced quickly. In fact, for the great re-coinage of 1816 the mint sought the assistance of the Soho mint, and in particular that of James Watt. In his declining years Watt was fascinated by the development of copying machines, some of which still exist today in the BM. It is believed Pistrucci produced some cameo's depicting the bust of George Ill, and these were used directly in the Soho reducing machine to produce the dies for the Bull head coinage. It is well known that the Bull Head effigy was not well received and another smaller more refined effigy was promptly produced. Mr Clancy illustrated some intriguing overlay comparisons that suggest the more refined effigy was in fact derived by modifying the neck and back hair of the Bull Head. Another snippet given during the talk was that the reducing machine was first used in the UK at Soho to produce the dies for the cartwheel 2d.

The talk concluded with some pictures of later reducing machines used in the mint and some comment that the majority of Victorian mint masters were rather indifferent to the use of reducing machines. This may have been due to the dearth of engravers, particularly as the market for cameo's had died out. However, in the 1890's Freemantle and DeSaulles rediscovered the reducing machine and promoted its use.

Many thanks to Mr Clancy for delivering such an interesting and much appreciated talk.

Obituary

It is sad to report the death of past member Barry Greenaway. Barry was well known dealer who specialised in tokens, checks and all things under the heading of para-numismatics. In these areas his knowledge was vast and he is a sad loss to our hobby. Our condolences to his family at this unhappy time.

Future Events

Croydon Coin Auctions - 7th January 2002 (details and catalogue available at www.croydoncoinauctions.co.uk )

Birmingham Coin Fair at National Motorbike Museum, Birmingham - 12th January

Davidson Monk Coin Fair at Commonwealth Institute - 18th January

Past Events

30 years ago, in 1972 Mr D Sellwood spoke about coining techniques and bought along some of the dies he had made and the replicas he had struck.

20 years ago a social evening was held, comprising a numismatic quiz, buffet and display competition. The winner of the competition was Mr D Seekamp with a display of Spanish coins of Alfonso XII and his successors.

10 years ago the club auction was held.


A Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all ours members.