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Engraver  Tommy

“ It took two years to perfect engraving the Queen's hair! ”
Who?

Tommy Docherty, 28

My job
I'm a coin designer and engraver for the Royal Mint
What's it feel like to create a coin?
To design and produce something long lasting is amazing. People collect coins and pass them down through generations, they tend not to come in and out of fashion. There are 1 million of my 2008 £2 coins out there which feels special.
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My best bits

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  • At the moment I’m up to my eyeballs in designs for a load of new coins for Morocco!
    sun, 23 jan 11
  • Among other things, I’ve been working on a Thunderbirds model, which was really tight to deadline!
    tue, 23 nov 10
  • I've been working on a computer programme to design a set of coins for the people of Uruguay!
    fri, 24 sep 10
  • Had a cracking day in the office. The music was on as we worked, and the banter was spot on. It hardly seemed like work!
    tue, 23 mar 10
  • Have you seen the brilliant medals at the Winter Olympics?! Amy Williams was on the news with hers and it's really impressive.
    mon, 29 mar 10
  • We're producing limited edition coins to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Coronation Street! I don't watch it but have been modelling Rovers Return all morning so know it inside out now...
    thu, 17 jun 10

My career path:

  • Product Design Course
    This is where I found the course where I learnt the design process, model making, research skills and presentation techniques. There are lots all over the UK!
  • Engineer Training Program
    While working I spent two years honing my hand skills, my engraving techniques and plaster modelling skills on an internal program.
  • 3D Computer Course
    Training specific to the software we use at The Mint. This helped me enormously while I was learning on the job.

Ask me about my job

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Previous month
February

The Royal Wedding coins are selling really well. Without sounding like an advert, it's probably because the Royal Mint is the only place you can buy official products that have been approved by Buckingham Palace...

thu, 17 feb 2011

...We’ve sold out of some William & Kate commemorative coins – the gold ones went like hot cakes! There are still some silver coins left though. Get them while you can – they won’t hang around for long!

thu, 17 feb 2011

Obviously we work on lots of different designs at the Royal Mint. Sometimes an ornate coin design is more appropriate than a more simple one...

sat, 05 feb 2011

...The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee for example is a subject that features a lot of history so we need to include quite a lot of detail...

sat, 05 feb 2011

...One of my colleagues, Sheena, has just done a design of the Royal Garter Star, which is quite a clean design, but at the same time it's quite detailed because of the diamond work and the jewelry on the Garter Star.

sat, 05 feb 2011
 
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CloseWho?

Tommy Docherty, 28

You went to University but learned most of your skills on the job is that true?
I learnt the process of design on my Uni course, but learnt engraving completely from scratch since I left. This job has given me a whole new skillset.
How have you found the on the job training?
I find learning new skills exciting so it's been a lot of fun picking up new techniques as I go along. Engraving metal and adding detail to tiny items are just two things I've loved learning.
What qualities do you need most in your job?
Attention to detail is essential! You can't afford to ignore anything because you're working on gold, silver and platinum and people are paying a lot of money for what you do. You need it to be perfect!
What's it feel like to create a coin?
To design and produce something long lasting is amazing. People collect coins and pass them down through generations, they tend not to come in and out of fashion. There are 1 million of my 2008 £2 coins out there which feels special.
Tell us about that £2 coin that you won an award for?
It commemorates the 1908 London Olympics. I researched the design for a long time and used details picked up from the original medals, it came together beautifully. My mum got it in her change a while back and phoned me straight away all excited!
Would you recommend a career in design and engraving?
Without a doubt I'd recommend it to anyone! There is lots of scope for being creative and I love the variety it brings too. From medical, to political, to sports our practical and design work is different every day. It's fun and rewarding.
What's your involvement in London 2012?
London 2012 is a massive thing for us at The Mint. We’ve already started producing coin sets in silver and gold and the winners from a public competition to design 50 pence pieces based on the individual sports are being unveiled at the moment.
Would more practical lessons and qualifications at school have helped you?
Both art & design and craft & design gave me a great base to move on with into this career, but nothing at school was as technical as what we do here. However, getting that hands-on experience at school definitely helped my confidence working with materials.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced so far?
Learning how to engrave the hair on the Queen's head was a nightmare for two years, I just couldn't perfect it! In many ways it would have been easier if she had straight hair but I’ve got the hang of it now!
Have you got any advice for a teenager who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Get on a good design course and see if you enjoy it. Really try and focus on the specific area of design that appeals to you. Work hard, immerse yourself in it, and have fun!
CloseWho?

Tommy Docherty, 28

What's a typical work day like for you Tommy?   Steven Perkins
From 8.30 to 2pm I concentrate on design work which normally means sitting on the computer playing around with the details. Then, in the afternoons I get on the bench and do steel work with my tools. My days go very fast!
Do you make coins for other countries too?  Lisani
Yes we do. I think we've made coins for over 60 countries at the last count! I never expected that to be the case but I love it.
Where do you normally get your creative inspiration from? Danny Parker 
I like to research into a subject, whether it be reading books, visiting museums or browsing the web, you gain a real feel for it. I find that only by doing this I can start to develop ideas.
I enjoy all forms of woodwork, metalwork etc and would like to develop my skills. What’s the best suggestion you can make please? James  
Possibly a foundation course in Art and Design or Crafts…these would help develop your skills in design as well as making, they may also introduce you to some new subjects such as sculpture, ceramics and jewelery!
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