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.

One (1) 50 dollar coinUnited States, 1851Obverse Image: Eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield, with a ribbon in its beak.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA / 1851 / 887 THOUS / FIFTY DOLLSReverse Image: Engine-t
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 dollar coin
United States, 1851
Obverse Image: Eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield, with a ribbon in its beak.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA / 1851 / 887 THOUS / FIFTY DOLLS
Reverse Image: Engine-turned design.
Reverse Text: N/A
Description
As early as 1850, agitation began in Congress for the establishment of a San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. This action was blocked by people from New York-who wanted a branch in their own state-and from Georgia and Louisiana-who argued that any California operation would represent unfair competition to the branch mints in Dahlonega and New Orleans.
The opposition won, and San Francisco would go without a mint for another four years. But it did get an odd sort of hybrid, the United States Assay Office of Gold, striking an odd sort of money-a gigantic, fifty-dollar ingot that would also do duty as a coin. The arrangement was made by the Treasury Department under a contract with Moffat & Company, private assayers and gold coiners in San Francisco.
Augustus Humbert came west to oversee the operation, which got under way at the end of January 1851. For most of the next two years, Humbert's fifty-dollar "slugs" were the principal accepted currency in California. He was eventually allowed to turn his attentions to the production of smaller, and altogether more useful, coins, ten- and twenty-dollar pieces. And his operation finally laid the framework for a formal, normal branch Mint, which began the production of ordinary federal coinage in the spring of 1854.
date made
1851
mint
United States Assay Office of Gold
ID Number
NU.68.159.1142
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1142
One (1) 20 dollar coin, proofUnited States, 1853Obverse Image: Eagle with shield, arrows, and branch; ribbon in beak.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / 900 THOUS.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin, proof
United States, 1853
Obverse Image: Eagle with shield, arrows, and branch; ribbon in beak.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / 900 THOUS. / LIBERTY
Reverse Image: Engine-turning design.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD / SAN FRANCISCO / CALIFORNIA. 1853.
Description
This was the final production of the provisional United States operation in San Francisco. A formal branch U.S. Mint was set up soon and began operations in the spring of 1854. A few proof strikes of the 1853 double eagle are known, including this coin.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1853
mint
United States Assay Office of Gold
ID Number
1985.0551.0720
catalog number
1985.0551.0720
accession number
1985.0551
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850
maker
Baldwin & Company
Baldwin & Company
ID Number
1985.0441.2198
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.2198
National bank note proof from the Columbia National Bank of Washington DC, $10-10-10-20. Charter number 3625. The $10 note features the image of Ben Franklin flying a kite on the left and an image of an eagle and Liberty grasping a lightning bolt on the right.
Description
National bank note proof from the Columbia National Bank of Washington DC, $10-10-10-20. Charter number 3625. The $10 note features the image of Ben Franklin flying a kite on the left and an image of an eagle and Liberty grasping a lightning bolt on the right. The $20 note features an image of the Battle of Lexington on the left and Liberty marching with a flag on the right. The bank was chartered on January 1, 1887. There are thirty-two large size notes and thirty-nine small size notes issued after 1929 known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
ID Number
NNC.297219.00543
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00543
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1868Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1868Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1868
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1868
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0975
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0975
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1885Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1885Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1885
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1885
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.0704
accession number
255927
catalog number
NU85796.02
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1862Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1862Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1862
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1862
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
1985.0441.0617
catalog number
1985.0441.0617
accession number
1985.0441
One (1) 50 dollar coin, Panama-Pacific International ExpositionUnited States, 1915Obverse Image: Bust of Minerva/Athena facing left.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / MCMXVReverse Image: Owl perched on pinecones.Reverse Text: PANAMA-PACIFIC
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 dollar coin, Panama-Pacific International Exposition
United States, 1915
Obverse Image: Bust of Minerva/Athena facing left.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / MCMXV
Reverse Image: Owl perched on pinecones.
Reverse Text: PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION / SAN FRANCISCO / E PLURIBUS UNUM
Description
Designed by Robert Aitken, the round and octagonal coins were part of an elaborate attempt to raise money for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. That celebration was held in San Francisco between February and December, 1915. In turn, the exposition was intended to commemorate the completion and opening of the Panama Canal in the previous year. Dolphins were friendly companions of the vessels making the trip from one ocean to another, via the new Isthmian waterway.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1915
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Aitken, Robert
ID Number
1985.0551.0777
catalog number
1985.0551.0777
accession number
1985.0551
In 1904, California-born Amadeo Giannini, son of Italian emigrants from near Genoa, opened the Bank of Italy in San Francisco. The bank loaned money to immigrants and established its reputation in rebuilding San Francisco after the earthquake of 1906.
Description
In 1904, California-born Amadeo Giannini, son of Italian emigrants from near Genoa, opened the Bank of Italy in San Francisco. The bank loaned money to immigrants and established its reputation in rebuilding San Francisco after the earthquake of 1906. All the loans during that effort were repaid according to Giannini.
In 2004, the institution celebrated its centennial in Rome as the Bank of America. It is one of the largest corporations in the world. It is also the foremost issuer of credit cards after its merger with MBNA, as well as the foremost lender to small businesses in the United States.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NNC.297219.00535
accession number
297219
catalog number
NNC*297219.00535
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1881Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1881Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1881
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1881
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.1003
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1003
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1902Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1902Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1902
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1902
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.1273
catalog number
NU*255927.1273
accession number
255927
National bank note proof of the Second National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 2038. $5-5-5-5, 1925. The portrait on the left is Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third President of the United States.
Description
National bank note proof of the Second National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 2038. $5-5-5-5, 1925. The portrait on the left is Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third President of the United States. His grandfather was also President and his father was a member of the House of Representatives. This bank was chartered on September 3, 1872. There are forty-seven large size notes and thirty-three small size notes issued after 1929 known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
ID Number
NNC.297219.00541
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00541
National bank note proof of the American National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 6716. $5-5-5-5, 1922. The portrait on the left is Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third President of the United States.
Description
National bank note proof of the American National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 6716. $5-5-5-5, 1922. The portrait on the left is Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third President of the United States. His grandfather was also President and his father was a member of the House of Representatives. This bank was chartered in April, 1903 and closed on October 31, 1922. There are twenty-six large size notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
ID Number
NNC.297219.00547
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00547
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1880Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1880Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1880
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1880
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.1002
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1002
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1884Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1884Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1884
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1884
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.1008
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1008
Mintage: 141,468The year 1854 was the first time that gold coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The 1854-S quarter eagle and half eagle are extremely rare. Most of the production for the year focused on double eagles.
Description (Brief)
Mintage: 141,468
The year 1854 was the first time that gold coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The 1854-S quarter eagle and half eagle are extremely rare. Most of the production for the year focused on double eagles. The issue was widely distributed and many of the coins seen today are rather heavily worn. A large group of 1854-S double eagles were found in the wreckage of the S.S. Yankee Blade. The treasure was undocumented, but it is believed that around 200 to 300 coins were discovered. Most of the coins were high-grade examples with surfaces that are lightly etched from exposure to seawater. A Proof example of the 1854-S double eagle resides in the Smithsonian Collection.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
1984.1046.0440
catalog number
1984.1046.0440
accession number
1984.1046
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1877Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1877Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1877
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1877
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.0303
catalog number
NU*255927.0303
accession number
255927
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1925Obverse Image: Full-length Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and olive branch in left.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1925
Obverse Image: Full-length Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and olive branch in left. Capitol Dome in lower left; rays of sun in background; stars around rim.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / S / 1925
Reverse Image: Eagle flying with sun behind.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST
Edge: E PLURIBUS UNUM divided by stars.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0388
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0388
National bank note proof from the National Capital Bank of Washington DC, $50-100. Charter number 10316. The $50 note features the portrait of John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury from 1877 to 1881, and Secretary of State from 1897 to 1898. The $100 note depicts John J.
Description
National bank note proof from the National Capital Bank of Washington DC, $50-100. Charter number 10316. The $50 note features the portrait of John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury from 1877 to 1881, and Secretary of State from 1897 to 1898. The $100 note depicts John J. Knox, Comptroller of the Currency from 1872 to 1884. National bank notes usually had four signatures on the faces; two Treasury officials and two signatures of officers in the bank that issued the notes. This proof sheet shows an interesting feature that occurred occasionally during the 1920’s where the bank would instruct the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to engrave the bank officers’ signatures, in this case Charles Boyer as Cashier and John Poole as President. This bank was organized on January 15, 1913 and changed its title to Federal-American on October 31, 1922 when this bank absorbed the American National Bank, Charter 6712 on that date. The title change was certainly the occasion for producing this plate a month after the change occurred. This was the only bank in D.C. to issue Series of 1902 plain backs in these denominations of $50 and $100. The bank went into receivership October 31, 1933. There are eleven large size notes with the new bank title and twenty-five notes with the earlier title known among collectors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
1905
1885
1896
1893
1891
ID Number
NNC.297219.00551
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00551
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin, proof, Panama-Pacific International ExpositionUnited States, 1915Obverse Image: Allegorical figure, Columbia, seated on a hippocampus, or mythological sea horse, and holding a caduceus.Obverse Text: PANAMA - PACIFIC EXPOSITION / 1915 / SReverse Image: L
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin, proof, Panama-Pacific International Exposition
United States, 1915
Obverse Image: Allegorical figure, Columbia, seated on a hippocampus, or mythological sea horse, and holding a caduceus.
Obverse Text: PANAMA - PACIFIC EXPOSITION / 1915 / S
Reverse Image: Left facing American eagle standing on a standard or plaque.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / 2 1/2 DOL
Description
This and several other commemorative pieces were created at the San Francisco Mint to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal and the exposition held in its honor. This Smithsonian specimen is the only known proof.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1915
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
maker
Barber, Charles
Morgan, George T.
ID Number
1985.0551.0780
catalog number
1985.0551.0780
accession number
1985.0551
National bank note proof from the National Metropolitan Bank of Washington DC. Charter 2382. $5-5-5-5, 1906. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 soon after he was elected. This note was from the Series of 1882.
Description
National bank note proof from the National Metropolitan Bank of Washington DC. Charter 2382. $5-5-5-5, 1906. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 soon after he was elected. This note was from the Series of 1882. This bank was first chartered on April 15, 1878. It was liquidated on March 28, 1907. There are fourteen notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
1905
1885
1896
1893
1891
1914
1906
ID Number
NNC.297219.00554
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00554
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1874Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1874Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1874
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1874
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1874
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.297035.0003
accession number
297035
catalog number
71.91.683
National bank note proof of the Franklin National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 10504. $10-10-10-20, 1914.
Description
National bank note proof of the Franklin National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 10504. $10-10-10-20, 1914. The $10 note shows a portrait on the left of William McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States, who was shot at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo and died September 14, 1901. The $20 note shows a portrait of Hugh McCulloch who was Comptroller of the Currency during the Civil War and later served as Secretary of the Treasury. These notes were from the Series of 1902. This bank was organized on April 3, 1914. Twenty-four large size notes and twenty-eight small size notes after 1929 are known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
1905
1885
1896
1893
1891
1914
ID Number
NNC.297219.00552
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00552
National bank note proof of the National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 3425. $10-10-10-20, 1920.
Description
National bank note proof of the National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 3425. $10-10-10-20, 1920. The $10 note shows a portrait on the left of William McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States, who was shot at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo and died September 14, 1901. The $20 note shows a portrait of Hugh McCulloch who was Comptroller of the Currency during the Civil War and later served as Secretary of the Treasury. These notes were from the Series of 1902. This bank was chartered in 1885. Fifty-three large size notes and 117 small size notes after 1929 are known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
ID Number
NNC.297219.00542
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00542

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