In The Fatal Coin , Bow Street Runner Dan Foster encounters a ruthless gang of highwaymen and counterfeiters operating out of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, England. In the course of his investigation, he comes across the work of Birmingham industrialist Matthew Boulton, who manufactured copper coins for the British mint. Here I take a look at some of the history behind the story… Matthew Boulton (1728–1809) Matthew Boulton, entrepreneur, manufacturer, engineer and scientist, was born in Birmingham. He made his money in what was known as the “toy trade”, which included the manufacture of goods in silver and gold such as snuff boxes and inkstands, and steel goods such as buckles, cork screws and candle snuffers. At his works in Soho, Birmingham, Boulton produced buttons, silver plate and ormolu. Many of of these goods were exported to France. He worked with James Watt on the development of the steam engine, financing the work as well as working on the design, and opene...