Cutting press, by Ralph Heaton & Sons, 1882

This machine was built in 1882 by Ralph Heaton 8 Sons for cutting coin blanks up to three at a time. It followed the rolling mill (inventory number 1962-258) in the process of coin manufacture and was succeeded by a coining press.

The ram obtains its reciprocating motion from a metal strap which encircles an eccentrically mounted disc on the driven shaft. A variable throw crank operates a ratchet to drive the feed rollers. The strip passes through guides to position it horizontally, through feed rollers, then through the press and finally through another pair of rollers. The press worked at 175 strokes per minute.