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 Dominican Republic one-centavo coin around 1877. 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 Dominican Republic one-centavo coin around 1877. 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: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/1877
Reverse: The rim is surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: UN CENTAVO
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1663
catalog number
1981.0296.1663
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic five-centavos coin around 1877. 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 Dominican Republic five-centavos coin around 1877. 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: Central image of an open book. The legend reads: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/1877
Reverse: The rim is surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: 5 CENTAVOS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1664
catalog number
1981.0296.1664
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Haitian five- gourde coin around 1905. 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 Haitian five- gourde coin around 1905. 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: Profile image of Pierre Nord Alexis, facing left. The legend reads: REPUBLIQUE D'HAIT/I1905
Reverse: Seal of Haiti, six draped flags around a palm tree with a drum at its base, and topped by a Phrygian cap and surrounded by two cannons. The ribbon below reads, L'Union Fait La Force. The legend reads: LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ/5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1667
catalog number
1981.0296.1667
accession number
1981.0296
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: The legend reads: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO GEO.E.HART/1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1596
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1596
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 Haitian five- gourde coin around 1904. 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 Haitian five- gourde coin around 1904. 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: Profile image of Pierre Nord Alexis, facing left. The legend reads: REPUBLIQUE D'HAIT/I1904
Reverse: Seal of Haiti, six draped flags around a palm tree, topped by a Phrygian cap with two cannons. The ribbon below reads, L'Union Fait La Force. The legend reads: LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ/5
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1904
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1666
catalog number
1981.0296.1666
accession number
1981.0296
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
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 Dominican Republic 2½-centavos coin around 1877. 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 Dominican Republic 2½-centavos coin around 1877. 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: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/2½ CENTAVOS/1877
Reverse: Image of a wreath around the rim, with a cross at the center.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1672
catalog number
1981.0296.1672
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. 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 Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill 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 Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill 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, and coins.
Obverse: Image of the Nicaragua coat of arms, consisting of a triangle, a Phrygian cap and five volcanoes. The legend reads: ESTADO DE NICARAGUA.
Reverse: Floral wreath around the rim. Legend reads: 5/CENTAVOS/1898
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1582
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1582
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
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: The legend reads: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO (blank) 1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1589
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1589
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill 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 Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill 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, and coins.
Obverse: Image of the Nicaragua coat of arms, consisting of a triangle, a Phrygian cap, and five volcanoes. The legend reads: ESTADO DE NICARAGUA
Reverse: Floral wreath around the rim. Legend reads: 5/CENTAVOS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1898
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1601
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1601
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO C.M. DE MOTT JR./1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1590
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1590
This medal, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Charles F. Barber, was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1892.
Description (Brief)
This medal, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Charles F. Barber, was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1892. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Image of Christopher Columbus landing in America. Legend: CHRISTOPHER COLVMBVS/ OCT XII MCCCCXCI/I AVGVSTVS SAINT GAVDENS FECIT.
Reverse: Two angels flank a globe, below are two lit torches around a plaque, and a ship on waves at the bottom. The plaque has a legend that reads: WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS/MDCCCXCII-MDCCCXCIII TO BINGHAMTON STATE HOSPITAL/ C. E. BARBER FECIT
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1892
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
Barber, Charles
ID Number
1981.0296.1591
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1591
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

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