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.

Patterns and experimental pieces form one of the most interesting groups of specimens associated with official coinage. It was customary for the Mint to provide samples of a proposed coin. More patterns were made in 1877 than in any other year.
Description
Patterns and experimental pieces form one of the most interesting groups of specimens associated with official coinage. It was customary for the Mint to provide samples of a proposed coin. More patterns were made in 1877 than in any other year. The Gold Rush in California prompted the merchants and bankers in San Francisco to lobby Congress for gold pieces of high denomination for quick counting purposes when a branch mint was established in their city in 1854. The design for the proposed large coin was similar to the $20 double eagle. Senator William Gwin of California introduced a bill for the adoption of this coin. His bill passed the Senate but failed to win approval in the House of Representatives. Although the coin was not approved, the proposal for such a large coin was feasible only after enough of the precious metal was available with the discovery of vast quantities in California. The depiction of Liberty on the obverse was a familiar symbol of national identity by 1877 for Americans.
date made
1877
maker
U.S. Mint
designer
Barber, William
ID Number
1986.0836.0060
accession number
1986.0836
catalog number
1986.0836.0060
One (1) 50 dollar coin, patternUnited States, 1877Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a coronet. 13 stars.Obversre Text: LIBERTY / 1877Reverse Image: A modified heraldic eagle with a shield over chest, holding a double scroll, clutching arrows and branch.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 dollar coin, pattern
United States, 1877
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a coronet. 13 stars.
Obversre Text: LIBERTY / 1877
Reverse Image: A modified heraldic eagle with a shield over chest, holding a double scroll, clutching arrows and branch. Rays and stars above eagle.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM
Description
Some twenty years after the private sector had abandoned the idea of a fifty-dollar gold piece in the mid-1850s, the Philadelphia Mint considered the possibility of a federal coin of this denomination. There was even talk of a "union," or hundred-dollar coin, and a drawing or two has survived to suggest what the Mint had in mind. But in the end, no such coin was ever produced.
The project went a bit farther in the case of the "half-union." Dies were prepared, the work of William Barber (father of the eventual Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber).
Barber's obverse and reverse designs look vaguely akin to Longacre's work for the double eagle. A few patterns were struck in copper and two in gold; the latter share a reverse die but each has a slightly different obverse die. The project was abandoned soon afterwards, as it became apparent that the new coin simply wasn't needed.
date made
1877
maker
U.S. Mint
designer
Barber, William
ID Number
1986.0836.0059
accession number
1986.0836
catalog number
1986.0836.0059
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
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
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
This “memorandum for change” was Mt. Pleasant Apothecary’s solution to the coin shortage. By making customers redeem the value of these notes in sums of a one-dollar or more, the business could expect returning clientele.Currently not on view
Description
This “memorandum for change” was Mt. Pleasant Apothecary’s solution to the coin shortage. By making customers redeem the value of these notes in sums of a one-dollar or more, the business could expect returning clientele.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863-01-01
maker
L. Prang & Company
ID Number
NU.NU46192.0003
accession number
170666
serial number
240
catalog number
NU46192.0003
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
In lieu of coined change, this card with stamps totaling five-cents was issued to customers to use at a store in Newport, Rhode Island.
Description
In lieu of coined change, this card with stamps totaling five-cents was issued to customers to use at a store in Newport, Rhode Island.
date made
1862
ID Number
NU.71.306.4
accession number
207949
catalog number
71.306.4
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 in 1863. It was reorganized as Charter 2733 on June 15, 1882. It retook its earlier charter number 66 on August 8, 1911.
Description
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 in 1863. It was reorganized as Charter 2733 on June 15, 1882. It retook its earlier charter number 66 on August 8, 1911. The bank changed its title to FNB of Lyons at Clinton on June 6, 1922. The bank liquidated October 7, 1930. There are six large size notes known among collectors for the first title and three large size notes for the second title.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1874
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NNC.297219.00557
accession number
297219
This medal, commissioned in Poland in 1875, commemorates the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Florian and Sophie Rakowskich. The Old Village, a town owned by the Rakowskichs, was the site of a Russian battle against Polish rebels in 1863.Obverse inscription: D.29 CZERWCA 1875 ROKU.
Description
This medal, commissioned in Poland in 1875, commemorates the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Florian and Sophie Rakowskich. The Old Village, a town owned by the Rakowskichs, was the site of a Russian battle against Polish rebels in 1863.
Obverse inscription: D.29 CZERWCA 1875 ROKU. / W STAREJ WSI. ("29th of June 1875. / In the old village.").
Reverse inscription: NA PAMIATKE / SLOTEGO WESELA / FLORYANA I ZOFII RAKOWSKICH ("Commemorating / Golden Anniversary / Floriana and Sophia Rakowskich").
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875
ID Number
NU.68.263.1081
catalog number
68.263.1081
accession number
281689
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
When the Civil War began the Confederate Government still accepted United States currency. Initially they printed a million dollars’ worth of notes, like this one thousand-dollar note.
Description
When the Civil War began the Confederate Government still accepted United States currency. Initially they printed a million dollars’ worth of notes, like this one thousand-dollar note. Notes like this were treated more as bonds than bills since they were issued in such large denominations including $50, $100, and $500. At this time much of the Confederate currency was produced in New York City. Eventually other printing firms such as the Southern Bank Note Company in New Orleans would fill the void.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1861-05-28
ID Number
NU.73.11.0008
catalog number
73.11.0008
accession number
305034
One (1) 4 dollar coin, patternUnited States, 1879Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty head with flowing hair.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 4 dollar coin, pattern
United States, 1879
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty head with flowing hair. Stars between all letters around edge of coin.
Obverse Text: 6 / G / .3 / S / .7 / C / 7 / G / R / A / M / S / 1879
Reverse Image: Star in center.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FOUR DOL. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / DEO EST GLORIA / ONE STELLA / 400 CENTS
Description
The four-dollar gold piece, or Stella, was the brainchild of the United States minister to Austria-Hungary, John A. Kasson. Kasson wanted an American gold coin that would trade on a par with a number of European counterparts, and the Stella seemed to be the answer.
Patterns were struck in a variety of metals, with two depictions of Liberty. George T. Morgan was responsible for this version, a goddess with coiled hair. Charles E. Barber contributed the second idea, a Liberty with flowing hair.
At the time, aluminum was popular as a pattern coinage metal. It was scarce, and it took a lovely impression from the dies. Experts call this piece a high Rarity-7, suggesting that four to six pieces exist.
[reference no. Judd 1640]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1879
maker
U.S. Mint
ID Number
1993.0532.0003
accession number
1993.0532
catalog number
1993.0532.0003
During the American Civil War, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler so appreciated the heroic actions of African American soldiers under his command at the 1864 battles of Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer that he commissioned a special medal for them. Designed by Anthony C.
Description
During the American Civil War, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler so appreciated the heroic actions of African American soldiers under his command at the 1864 battles of Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer that he commissioned a special medal for them. Designed by Anthony C. Paquet and realized in silver by Tiffany, the U.S. Colored Troops medal had no official status. After General Butler was relieved of his command in 1865, the 300 U.S. Colored Troops who had received the medals were forbidden to wear them on their uniforms.
Location
Currently not on view
commissioner
Butler, Benjamin Franklin
maker
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
1985.0612.01
catalog number
1985.0612.01
accession number
1985.0612
This Institute of Commerce medal was minted in Russia in 1877 under the reign of Alexander II. Alexander II ruled Russia from 1855-1881 and was affectionately known as The Liberator because he emancipated the serfs.Obverse inscription: 1877 / С.
Description
This Institute of Commerce medal was minted in Russia in 1877 under the reign of Alexander II. Alexander II ruled Russia from 1855-1881 and was affectionately known as The Liberator because he emancipated the serfs.
Obverse inscription: 1877 / С. ПЕТЕРБУРГСКОЕ КОММЕРЧЕСКОЕ УЧИЛИЩЕ (“S. Petersburg Business School").
Reverse inscription: ТРУДЪ И ЧЕСТНОСТЬ ("Work and Honesty").
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
ID Number
NU.68.263.1248
catalog number
68.263.1248
accession number
281689
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
Bank notes, such as this one, were issued from private banks in the South. During the Civil War the South suffered from crippling inflation in part from the massive amount of Southern money in circulation.Currently not on view
Description
Bank notes, such as this one, were issued from private banks in the South. During the Civil War the South suffered from crippling inflation in part from the massive amount of Southern money in circulation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860-05-17
maker
American Bank Note Company
ID Number
1979.1263.01449C
accession number
1979.1263
catalog number
1979.1263.01449C
serial number
No. 798
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1873Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1873Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1873
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1873
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 / CC
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1873
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, Carson City
ID Number
NU.68.159.0984
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0984
In order for John Gault, the inventor of the encased postage stamp, to make any profit off his creation, he sold advertisement space on the back of the stamp encasements.
Description
In order for John Gault, the inventor of the encased postage stamp, to make any profit off his creation, he sold advertisement space on the back of the stamp encasements. The production of these encased postage stamps was done solely by the Scovill Manufacturing Company located in Waterbury, Connecticut. This particular encased postage stamp advertised “H.A. COOK/ EUREKA BAZAAR,” which was a grocery store in Evansville, Indiana.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862-08-12
ID Number
NU.71.306.2
accession number
207949
catalog number
71.306.2
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, 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

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