Utrecht mint, 19th century

[Vincent B]

   Dear friends,
I'm doing a little research on early machine struck coins. Matthew Boulton began minting coins using steam power in the early 1790s. I've read that production of coins in the Netherlands was centralised during the Napoleonic wars, leaving Utrecht as the sole mint. I'd like to ask you this question: when did the Utrecht mint adopt an industrial mode of production, i.e. the use of steam power, striking coins in a collar, etc.?
   I'd be very happy if you could help me with some information.

Vincent

[Boschboom]

Hello Vincent,

Welcome at this forum. I expect that you will find many coin enthusiasts here that are happy to share information about their hobby with you.
I can't tell you when exactly the mint in Utrecht started to use steam engines, but it certainly was much later than the 1790’s. I’m sure there are a some members of this forum that can tell you more about it.
Recently I’m doing some research myself on the Mint of the Austrian Netherlands at Brussels (1750’s – 1790’s). The coin production of the Austrian Netherlands was centralized at Brussels in about 1775. I have found many files with detailed information at the State Archives in Brussels, e.g. a detailed drawing of a mill to produce coin plates from ingots. This mill was processed by horse power though. Maybe we could share some information about our researches.
 
Lei

[RobKooy (Overleden)]

Hi Vincent,
It has been impossible to establish when exactly the Utrecht Mint introduced steam power.
But modernization of the minting process as such has started rather early.
Around 1690 the first milled coins have been produced by the Utrecht Mint. Of course, the minting presses by that time still were hand (or: horse) powered.
And for many decades (most) part of the production was still made the old (hammered) way.
In 1739 the first Utrecht-struck coins having a corded or flowered edge were introduced.
Rob Kooy

[Boschboom]

In 1997 the Museum of the Dutch Mint in Utrecht published a booklet about the Mint in Utrecht and Brussels between 1819 and 1830. In those years the present countries Belgium and the Netherlands were a united kingdom. In this publication the complete instructions for the staff of both the Utrecht and Brussels Mint can be read. Paragraph 2 of the instruction for the director (in Dutch ‘de muntmeester’) mention the use of steam engines. These instructions are a part of a Royal decree of King William I of the Netherlands, dated 21 December 1821. This means that as early and most likely earlier than the year 1821 steam engines were used at the Utrecht Mint.

Lei

[Boschboom]

A series of oil paintings in the library of the Utrecht Mint show us the production of coins in the late 19th – early 20th century. This picture was taken in the eighties, I haven’t been there since but I expect the library is still the same.
Though the actual steam engines are not on the paintings, the pulleys and the belts of the steam engines are visible. At the time I took the pictures there were still some remains of steam engine parts in the building. Though not in use any longer some pulleys (without the belts) were still there.

Lei

[Vincent B]

   Dear Boschboom,
Thank you very much for the info! I also found some important information in De Muntklapper no. 31, July 2001 (URL: http://www.egmp.nunaar.be/artikels/Muntkl31A.pdf )

[Boschboom]

Hello Vincent,

Thank you for this information. The article in the Muntklapper tells us a lot about the coinage in the Netherlands in the early 19th century. Are you able to read the Dutch text or would you like us to translate some parts of the article?

Lei

[Vincent B]

   Dear Boschboom,
Thank you for your kind offer. I do read Dutch to some extent. I read Danish, English and German - and Dutch happens to be just in between, linguistically and geografically . I can also use Babelfish if necessary.

Best regards,
Vincent

[Boschboom]

@ Vincent,

Just post the specific lines you want to have translated in this topic and I'll see what I can do

Lei