Coins, Currency, and Medals

The museum possesses one of the largest and most diverse numismatic collections in the world. Its diverse holdings represent every inhabited continent and span more than three millennia. The collection includes coins, paper money, medals, tokens, commodity and alternative currencies, coin dies, printing plates, scales and weights, financial documents and apparatuses, credit cards, and objects that reflect established and emerging digital monetary technologies worldwide.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this souvenir coin in 1930. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this souvenir coin in 1930. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a full-sailed frigate on water, and an inset image of a man in Pilgrim garb. The legend reads: : MASSACHUSETTS TERCENTENARY 1630-1930.
Reverse: Image of the Old Powder House tower. The legend reads: TERCENTENARY SOUVENIR/1630-1930/ OLD POWDER HOUSE SOMERVILLE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1630
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1630
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The number 3 is penned on the obverse.
Obverse: The legend reads: QUINCALLA Y FERRETERIA
Reverse: The legend reads: TRUJILLO Y SUBINA/ 10/ EL COMETA
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1587
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1587
Numismatists, people who study or collect coins, generally categorize Civil War Tokens into three themes: patriotic, store cards, and sutler tokens. As with this coin, patriotic themed coins displayed patriotic slogans and images. Advertisements were not printed on these tokens.
Description
Numismatists, people who study or collect coins, generally categorize Civil War Tokens into three themes: patriotic, store cards, and sutler tokens. As with this coin, patriotic themed coins displayed patriotic slogans and images. Advertisements were not printed on these tokens. This specific token has an image of the Union flag with the words, “THE FLAG OF OUR UNION” on one side and another popular patriotic statement on the other side, “IF ANYBODY ATTEMPTS TO TEAR IT DOWN/SHOOT HIM/ ON THE SPOT.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863
ID Number
2001.0009.0343
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0343
One (1) Civil War tokenUnited States, 1861Obverse Image: Man with a large hat, bandanna around his neck, and a shirt decorated with stars.Obverse Text: I AM READY / 1861Reverse Image: Approximately forty (40) stars.Reverse Words: THE UNION MUST & SHALL BE PRESERVEDEdge: SmoothThe
Description (Brief)
One (1) Civil War token
United States, 1861
Obverse Image: Man with a large hat, bandanna around his neck, and a shirt decorated with stars.
Obverse Text: I AM READY / 1861
Reverse Image: Approximately forty (40) stars.
Reverse Words: THE UNION MUST & SHALL BE PRESERVED
Edge: Smooth
Description
There are numerous examples of Civil War Tokens that display sentiments in favor of the Union. Many of the patriotic series Civil War Tokens were issued in New York. The lack of tokens in the South has been attributed to the fact that the majority of private minters were located in the North. This token depicts a pro-Union stance: “I AM READY” and “THE UNION MUST & SHALL BE PRESERVED.” Once these tokens were circulated, they would remind their user of the Union’s justifications for war and buoy up nationalist spirits.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1861
ID Number
2013.0023.006
accession number
2013.0023
catalog number
2013.0023.006
This particular Civil War Token depicts a patriotic theme.
Description
This particular Civil War Token depicts a patriotic theme. The obverse, front of the coin, depicts a profile image of George Washington while the reverse, back, shows two hands shaking between laurel sprigs and the words “PEACE FOREVER.” One hand is labeled as the North and the other hand is labeled as the South.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863
ID Number
1977.0779.108
catalog number
1977.0779.108
accession number
1977.0779
Approximately one million pieces of Lindenmueller Currency were struck during the course of the Civil War Token’s short lifespan. Tokens were generally used for buying goods and fares on trains. Since Civil War Tokens could not be redeemed for U.S.
Description
Approximately one million pieces of Lindenmueller Currency were struck during the course of the Civil War Token’s short lifespan. Tokens were generally used for buying goods and fares on trains. Since Civil War Tokens could not be redeemed for U.S. currency, the system had inherent flaws. This was evident when New York’s Third Avenue Railroad requested that Lindenmueller redeem his tokens which they accepted as payment for fares. Lindenmueller laughingly declined to pay out the Third Avenue Railroad who then took their issue to the Federal Government. In 1864 Congress passed an act that forbade any private businesses or individuals to produce money. This act essentially shut down the production of Civil War Tokens.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863
associated date
1863
ID Number
2001.0009.0661
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0661
This ¾ real token was produced by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This ¾ real token was produced by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: BELIN
Reverse: The legend reads: ¾ DeREAL
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1661
catalog number
1981.0296.1661
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: QUINCALLA Y FERRETERIA/PONCE
Reverse: The legend reads: TRUJILLO Y SUBINA/ 10/ EL COMETA
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1662
catalog number
1981.0296.1662
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when the sales tax was less than a cent.
Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri, with “1” in the center. The legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 1.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1549
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1549
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when the sales tax was less than a cent. There is a hole in the center of the token.
Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri, with “1” in the center. The legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 1.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1550
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1550
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when the sales tax was less than a cent. There is a hole in the center of the token.
Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri. The legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 5/ 5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1551
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1551
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this hard times token around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this hard times token around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse Profile image of Lady Liberty facing left.: The legend reads: E PLURIBUS UNUM/1841.
Reverse: The legend reads: MILLIONS FOR DEFENCE/NOT ONE CENT/FOR TRIBUTE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1841
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1615
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1615
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when Missouri’s sales tax was less than a cent.
Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri. Legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 5/ 5.
Reverse: Image of the state of Missouri. Legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 5/ 5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1542
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1542
One (1) beard token, novodelRussia, 1705Obverse Image: Nose, mustache, and beard with border around.Obverse Text: ДЕНГИ ВЗИТЬІ (Money Collected)Reverse Image: Double headed eagle with leaf border around.Reverse Text: АΨЕ ГОДУ (Year 1705)This jeton or beard token was issued in 170
Description (Brief)
One (1) beard token, novodel
Russia, 1705
Obverse Image: Nose, mustache, and beard with border around.
Obverse Text: ДЕНГИ ВЗИТЬІ (Money Collected)
Reverse Image: Double headed eagle with leaf border around.
Reverse Text: АΨЕ ГОДУ (Year 1705)
Description
This jeton or beard token was issued in 1705 by Peter I. Better known as Peter the Great and a member of the Romanov dynasty, he ruled Russia from 1689-1725. Peter l founded Saint Petersburg in 1703 and brought Western culture to Orthodox Russia. In his new city, men were expected to shave their faces and wear western clothes. Anyone wishing to remain bearded had to pay a tax and carry this token as proof.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1705
associated person
Peter I
ID Number
NU.NU61634
catalog number
NU61634
accession number
210914
The encased postage stamp was used as a form of currency during the war.
Description
The encased postage stamp was used as a form of currency during the war. The idea stemmed from the fact that stamps had an inherent value, but if they were passed around without any sort of protection they became soiled and worthless, not to mention the adhesive backing caused problems after multiple transactions. John Gault solved this problem by using a brass disk and cardboard piece that served as a backing while a disk of clear mica lay on top of the stamp. A brass frame secured the components together, thus, allowing the stamp to be viewed and protected. This encased postage stamp depicts George Washington and is worth ten-cents. The back bore the encasement patent date, “AUG 12, 1862,” and “J. GAULT.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862
ID Number
2001.0009.0696
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0696
This Civil War Token depicts a portrait of General G. B. McClellan on the obverse and the Knickerbocker Currency logo on the reverse. Knickerbocker Currency was stuck by William H. Bridgens, the same man who was the die-cutter for Lindenmueller Currency.Currently not on view
Description
This Civil War Token depicts a portrait of General G. B. McClellan on the obverse and the Knickerbocker Currency logo on the reverse. Knickerbocker Currency was stuck by William H. Bridgens, the same man who was the die-cutter for Lindenmueller Currency.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.72.118.75
accession number
302411
catalog number
72.118.75
In the beginning of 1862, citizens went on a hoarding frenzy as high inflation plagued the market after the outbreak of the Civil War. Their target: coins of gold, silver, and copper.
Description
In the beginning of 1862, citizens went on a hoarding frenzy as high inflation plagued the market after the outbreak of the Civil War. Their target: coins of gold, silver, and copper. The hoarding problem was so extreme that the government halted the minting of coined money and by the end of 1862 there were hardly any metallic coins in circulation. This was acutely felt by business men and customers alike since coinage in small denominations was most commonly tendered at that point in time. In order to alleviate the situation, merchants and tradesmen sought alternatives to government issued small change. Privately issued tokens, typically one cent and made of copper and similar in size to government issued coinage, were used instead and by late 1862 these Civil War Tokens were circulating in Cincinnati and New York. This particular token’s text, “FOR PUBLIC ACCOMODATION,” reflects the pecuniary problem that was happening at that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863
ID Number
NU.72.118.76
accession number
302411
catalog number
72.118.76
Although most Civil War Tokens were made out of copper, like this specimen, they were struck in other materials as well. Tokens made out of brass, silver, lead, and rubber are known to numismatists.Currently not on view
Description
Although most Civil War Tokens were made out of copper, like this specimen, they were struck in other materials as well. Tokens made out of brass, silver, lead, and rubber are known to numismatists.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864
ID Number
NU.71.167.45
catalog number
71.167.45
accession number
296443
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this El Salvadorian one-real coin around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this El Salvadorian one-real coin around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: HACIENDA/1Real/SANTA EMILIA.
Reverse: Image of a tree. The legend reads: BLANCOY MERLOS/1880/SAN SALVADOR
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1668
catalog number
1981.0296.1668
accession number
1981.0296
One (1) Talbot, Allum and Lee cent tokenNew York, 1795Obverse Image: Liberty with a capped staff standing in front of large package.Obverse Text: LIBERTY & COMMERCE / 1795Reverse Image: Ship.Reverse Text: AT THE STORE OF TALBOT ALLUM & LEE NEW YORK.Edge Text: WE PROMISE TO PAY TH
Description (Brief)
One (1) Talbot, Allum and Lee cent token
New York, 1795
Obverse Image: Liberty with a capped staff standing in front of large package.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY & COMMERCE / 1795
Reverse Image: Ship.
Reverse Text: AT THE STORE OF TALBOT ALLUM & LEE NEW YORK.
Edge Text: WE PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ONE CENT
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1795
ID Number
1985.0441.0021
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.0021
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880s
maker
unknown
ID Number
NU.NU71216
accession number
247633
catalog number
NU71216
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
ID Number
NU.77.51.121
catalog number
77.51.121
accession number
1977.0777

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