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.

Founded in 1904 by wealthy financier Andrew Carnegie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (CHFC) exists to honor acts of individual civilian heroism in the United States and Canada.
Description
Founded in 1904 by wealthy financier Andrew Carnegie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (CHFC) exists to honor acts of individual civilian heroism in the United States and Canada. It is still active today; recipients include both the living, the dead, and persons directly affected by the loss of a heroic relative.
The emotional impact on the general public of the April 1912 loss of the ocean liner Titanic was astonishing, and the continually updated story lasted for months in the contemporary newspapers. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Commission felt inspired to honor all the heroes who had risked their lives in the rescue of the 700 passengers, so at their April 26, 1912 meeting they authorized a nine-oz. 22-k gold medal to be struck, mounted in an elaborate bronze base, inscribed and presented to the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian accepted the gift and displayed it before adding it to the National Numismatic Collection in the National Museum of American History.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Flanagan, John
ID Number
NU.13650
accession number
54893
catalog number
13650
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
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
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 German American National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 2358. $5-5-5-5, 1872. The image on the left is Christopher Columbus approaching land.
Description
National bank note proof of the German American National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 2358. $5-5-5-5, 1872. The image on the left is Christopher Columbus approaching land. On the right is an Indian Princess representing America being presented to the Old World as engraved by W.W. Rice based on a work by T.A. Liebler. This bank was chartered on May 14, 1877 and went into receivership on November 1, 1878. Only two notes are known among collectors for this short-lived bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
1905
1885
1896
1893
1891
1914
1906
1877
ID Number
NNC.297219.00555
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00555
One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1916Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1916Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on bundle of arrows and branch.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERI
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1916
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1916
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on bundle of arrows and branch.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / IN GOD WE TRUST / TEN DOLLARS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1916
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
ID Number
NU.68.159.0940
catalog number
68.159.0940
accession number
283645
Plastic pin with metal back. This gold-colored pin shows both a shield in the colors of the U.S. flag and a chest full of gold coins. It reads, "I Helped War Chest." Attached is a plastic red, white, and blue ribbon.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Plastic pin with metal back. This gold-colored pin shows both a shield in the colors of the U.S. flag and a chest full of gold coins. It reads, "I Helped War Chest." Attached is a plastic red, white, and blue ribbon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0263
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0263
National bank note proof from the Columbia National Bank of Washington DC, $10-10-10-20. Charter number 4195. 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 4195. 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 7, 1890. It was liquidated on April 23, 1903. It consolidated with Citizens’ National Bank of Washington, Charter 1893, which in turn was liquidated on November 7, 1904. Only two notes 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
1906
1877
ID Number
NNC.297219.00556
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00556
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1910Obverse 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, 1910
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 / 1910 / S
Reverse Image: Eagle flying through rays of sun.
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
1910
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.1061
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1061
National bank note proof of the Franklin National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 10825. $10-10-10-20, 1918.
Description
National bank note proof of the Franklin National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 10825. $10-10-10-20, 1918. 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 February, 1916 and liquidated on April 1, 1922. Only five notes 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.297219.00553
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00553
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1913Obverse 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, 1913
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 / 1913 / D
Reverse Image: Eagle flying through rays of sun.
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
1913
maker
United States Mint
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, Denver
ID Number
NU.255927.1715
catalog number
NU*255927.1715
accession number
255927
This jeton or personal token depicts Peter I of Russia. Wealthy individuals used tokens as calling cards, placing one in a tray beside the door of an establishment they visited. Better known as Peter the Great and member of the Romanov dynasty, Peter I ruled from 1689-1725.
Description
This jeton or personal token depicts Peter I of Russia. Wealthy individuals used tokens as calling cards, placing one in a tray beside the door of an establishment they visited. Better known as Peter the Great and member of the Romanov dynasty, Peter I ruled from 1689-1725. This copy of the original jeton is from 1911.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
associated person
Peter I
ID Number
NU.NU61646
catalog number
NU61646
accession number
210914
Consumer credit expanded in the 1920s, promoting a credit revolution. Stores like J.L. Hudson of Detroit, Michigan issued credit to favored customers, expecting full payment at the end of the month.
Description
Consumer credit expanded in the 1920s, promoting a credit revolution. Stores like J.L. Hudson of Detroit, Michigan issued credit to favored customers, expecting full payment at the end of the month. Before the advent of magnetic stripe plastic credit cards, these metal coins identified the customer that had credit at the store (the reverse has a customer ID number).
Joseph Lowthian Hudson founded the chain of Hudson’s department stores in Detroit, Michigan in 1881. As Detroit grew, Hudson’s moved to its flagship location on 1206 Woodward Avenue in 1911. This location was 25 stories tall and grew to the size of the city block. The department store expanded to other locations and in 1969 was acquired by the Minneapolis based Dayton department store forming the Dayton-Hudson Corporation. In 2000 Dayton-Hudson changed its name to that of its discount retail division – Target. Later the department store division was renamed Marshall Field’s which was then sold to Macy’s in 2006.
date made
1919
ID Number
2014.0062.05
accession number
2014.0062
catalog number
2014.0062.05
One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1916Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1916Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on bundle of arrows and branch.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERI
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1916
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1916
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on bundle of arrows and branch.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / IN GOD WE TRUST / TEN DOLLARS / S
Description
The 1916 eagle from San Francisco is a fairly scarce coin in any condition, but one in this condition is an extremely rare coin.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1916
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
ID Number
1985.0441.1408
catalog number
1985.0441.1408
accession number
1985.0441
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913
ID Number
NU.NU51759
catalog number
NU51759
accession number
161590
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
On this octagonal version, there are eight small dolphins at the eight points of the octagon. Designed by Robert Aitken, these coins were part of an elaborate attempt to raise money for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, held in San Francisco between February and December 1915. In turn, the exposition was intended to celebrate the completion and opening of the Panama Canal in the previous year. The dolphins were on both sides of this octagonal version because they 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
maker
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Aitken, Robert
ID Number
1979.1263.01162
catalog number
1979.1263.01162
accession number
1979.1263
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1913Obverse 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, 1913
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 / 1913
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
1913
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0380
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0380
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1928-09-17
plate date
1913-08-08
series date
1902
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Burke, John
Register of the Treasury
Napier, James Carroll
issuing bank
First and City National Bank of Lexington
depicted
Harrison, Benjamin
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.011355
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.011355
bank charter number
906
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1912-04-10
plate date
1912-02-24
series date
1902
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
McClung, Thomas Lee
Register of the Treasury
Napier, James Carroll
issuing bank
Security National Bank of Pasadena
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.001968
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.001968
bank charter number
10167
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1914-04-24
plate date
1914-05-14
series date
1902
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Burke, John
Register of the Treasury
Parker, Gabe E.
issuing bank
Old First National Bank of Farmer City
depicted
McKinley, William
McCulloch, Hugh
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.006375
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.006375
bank charter number
4958
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1918-04-01
plate date
1910-04-06
series date
1902
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
McClung, Thomas Lee
Register of the Treasury
Vernon, William Tecumseh
issuing bank
National Bank of Commerce of Baltimore
depicted
Harrison, Benjamin
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.013523
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.013523
bank charter number
4285
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1913-09-05
plate date
1906-09-14
series date
1902
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Treat, Charles Henry
Register of the Treasury
Vernon, William Tecumseh
issuing bank
First National Bank of Kingsburg
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.001591
catalog number
297219.001591
accession number
297219
bank charter number
8409
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1912-04-10
plate date
1912-02-17
series date
1902
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
McClung, Thomas Lee
Register of the Treasury
Napier, James Carroll
issuing bank
First National Bank of Spearville
depicted
McKinley, William
McCulloch, Hugh
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.011245
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.011245
bank charter number
10161

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