Isaac Newton
Born 1643 A.D., Died 1727 A.D.

Silver Shilling (12-pence) of George I, 25 mm.
O:  Head of George I
R:  Shields of the house of Hanover
Dated 1723 A.D.  Legends in Latin.
The initials "S.S.C." between the shields on the reverse indicate that the silver was supplied to the mint by the South Sea Company.

Most people recognize Isaac Newton as one of the most influential scientists of all time.

Few people realize that Isaac Newton was in charge of the Royal mint.  In 1696 he became Warden of the Royal Mint, and from 1699 until his death in 1727, he was its Master.  He oversaw the great English recoinage (where large amounts of machine-struck coins replaced the older hand-struck coins which were prone to clipping) and he pursued counterfeiters with great ferocity.  The position was extremely lucrative, as he received a commission on all the coins struck under his supervision (including the one pictured above.)    It was far more lucrative than science.  Having taken up the position at the mint, his creative scientific career was over.

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