It was an office in the governments of Scotland and England, and later Great Britain and then the United Kingdom, between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Its holder occasionally sat in the cabinet.
During the interregnum (1643–1660), the last Master of the Mint to Charles I, Sir Robert Harley, transferred his allegiance to Parliament and remained in office.
In 1870 the role was amalgamated into the office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, making the Chancellor, by virtue of her position, the Master of the Mint.
[1] Now a private company; the job of Deputy Master is held by the Royal Mint's Chief Executive.