No. LXXXVIII.
An engine, without the least noise, knock, or use of fire, to coin and stamp 100lbs. in an hour, by one man.
NOTE.
Antoine Boucher appears to have been the first engraver who used the fly-press for the multiplying of metallic impressions from an engraved matrix. This ingenious mechanic was employed by Henry the Second of France, and the first money was struck with it in that kingdom about the middle of the sixteenth century; it was soon however laid aside on account of the great expense attendant on its use, and the old method of striking with the hammer was again resorted to. Queen Elizabeth also had milled money coined in England about the same period; but it did not continue for more than ten years; and it was not till 1662, that the screw press was finally established in the mint of this kingdom. The accelerated motion of a screw, although possessing many advantages over the old method, does not appear fully to answer the above description, as the noise attendant on its use is certainly very considerable; it is probable therefore, that the hydrostatic press, or a powerful lever worked by a crank, was intended by the noble author as a substitute for this useful machine.
It appears probable that the insertion of this Article originated in an ignorance of the plan formerly proposed by Boucher, which appears of all others best adapted for the purpose of coining with rapidity, and which was not at that period acted upon in England; on the discovery of which the following Article was substituted by the noble author; and appeared in the first printed edition of the Century.