Coins, Currency, and Medals - Overview
The Museum possesses one of the largest numismatic collections in the world. The collections include over 1 million objects, comprising coins, medals, decorations, and pieces of paper money. Among the many great rarities here are some of the world’s oldest coins, created 2,700 years ago. But the collection also includes the latest innovations in electronic monetary exchange, as well as beads, wampum, and other commodities once used as money. A special strength lies in artifacts that illustrate the development of money and medals in the United States. The American section includes many rare and significant coins, such as two of three known examples of the world's most valuable coin, the 1933 double eagle $20 gold piece.
"Coins, Currency, and Medals - Overview" showing 14 items.
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United States, Twenty-Five Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped Liberty head right, date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This pattern incorporates all of the designs to be introduced on circulating quarters in the following year. However, the clouds on the pattern design were removed before production commenced. Two specimens of this pattern exist, both at the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1761]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2079
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2079
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Fifty Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This is one of a series of pattern half dollars by Charles E. Barber. The obverse design is essentially identical with the format adopted for coinage in 1892. The reverse is different, and the clouds above the eagle never appeared on circulating coinage. This pattern is unique.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2080
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2080
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Pattern half dollar, 1891
- Description
- In this unconventional design Barber experimented with a standing Liberty surrounded by rays and an eagle perched behind her. This pattern was never adopted.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2081
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2081
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Fifty Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. The reverse reintroduces the clouds above the eagle, but in a more stylized way. Two pieces are known, both in the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1764]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2083
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2083
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Fifty Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. The reverse reintroduces the clouds above the eagle, but in a more stylized way. Two pieces are known, both in the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1764]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2084
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2084
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Fifty Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Eagle, stars and clouds above, all within wreath. Both known patterns with these designs are in the National Numismatic Collection. [reference no. Judd 1765]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2085
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2085
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Pattern half dollar, 1891
- Description
- For this reverse, Barber portrayed a second eagle within a wreath, a design that was extremely cluttered. These two coins are the only known.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2086
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2086
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Fifty Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Eagle, stars and clouds above, all within wreath. Both known patterns with these designs are located in the National Numismatic Collection. [reference no. Judd 1765]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0441.2087
- catalog number
- 1985.0441.2087
- accession number
- 1985.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United States, Ten Cents, Pattern, 1891
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped Liberty head right, date below. Reverse: Denomination in wreath. This is a transitional pattern dated 1891 that was adopted in 1892. Charles E. Barber designed this coin and its companion quarter dollar and half dollar. Two of these transitional dimes are known, both at the Smithsonian.
- [reference no. Judd 1760]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- ID Number
- 1985.0551.0724
- catalog number
- 1985.0551.0724
- accession number
- 1985.0551
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Columbus Day badge
- Description (Brief)
- Die-cut badge from a sheet of celluloid. A star rests atop a circular piece, and is engraved with an image of Christopher Columbus. The celluloid piece is stapled to a red, white, and blue silk ribbon that can be pinned to one's clothing.
- Souvenir from the Norwich, Conn. celebration on October 21st 1892 of the 400th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1892
- depicted
- Columbus, Christopher
- maker
- Gleason, Thos. J.
- ID Number
- 2006.0098.0705
- accession number
- 2006.0098
- catalog number
- 2006.0098.0705
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center