Sir Richard Martin

Richard Martin was a goldsmith who served as master of the mint and as alderman, sheriff (1581-1582) and Mayor of London (1589, 1594).

Trained as a goldsmith from youth, Martin served as a prime warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. Appointed as the warden of the Royal Mint, Martin was in charge for overseeing the workings of the mint and the quality of the coinage. In 1582 he was finally promoted as Master of the Mint and he held that position until his detain. Interestingly, he held the offices of warden and master of the mint for almost two decades.

Part of his funds, Martin invested in financing of Sir Francis Drake voyage of circumnavigation (1577-1580) and the expedition which aim was to harass the Spanish ports in the New World (1585-1586). He was knighted by the Queen Elizabeth in 1588-1589.

In 1578 Martin was elected alderman of London but was removed from that post in 1602 due to imprisonment for debts.

He died in 1617.