Coins, Currency, and Medals

$100,000 U.S. Gold Certificate

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.

Date: 1900s

20 Dollars, United States, 1906

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1906Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1906Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1906
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1906
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
1906
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.1045
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1045

20 Dollars, United States, 1900

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1900Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1900Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1900
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1900
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
1900
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.1169
catalog number
NU*255927.1169
accession number
255927

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the Lincoln National Bank of Washington, DC, 1909

National bank note proof of the Lincoln National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 4247. $10-10-10-20, 1909.
Description
National bank note proof of the Lincoln National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 4247. $10-10-10-20, 1909. 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. The Financial Panic of 1907 prompted Congress to pass the Aldrich-Vreeland Act of 1908. This emergency law permitted banks issuing national bank notes to substitute “or other securities” for United States Bonds deposited with the Treasurer to back up the national bank notes between 1908 and 1915. It was intended to increase the supply of circulating money during that period. The phrase “or other securities” appears on the face to reflect this change. The Lincoln National Bank was chartered in 1909 on the centennial of Lincoln’s birth. Seventeen large size notes and 53 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
1899
1890
1909
ID Number
NNC.297219.00546
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00546

Proof sheet for $5-5-5-5 of the German American National Bank of Washington, DC, 1877

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

Proof sheet for $50-100 of the Bankers World's Fair National Bank of St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.

National bank note proof from the Bankers World's Fair National Bank of Saint Louis, Missouri, $50-100. Charter number 7179. 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.
Description
National bank note proof from the Bankers World's Fair National Bank of Saint Louis, Missouri, $50-100. Charter number 7179. 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. This bank was chartered on May 21, 1904. It liquidated on December 15, 1904. The bankers organized this bank on the occasion of the World's Fair in Saint Louis, and then changed their minds about issuing notes for this bank. The notes were returned to the Treasury. There are no notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1904
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NNC.297219.00575
accession number
297219

20 Dollars, United States, 1908

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1908Obverse 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, 1908
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 / 1908 / 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
1908
maker
United States Mint
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, Denver
ID Number
NU.255927.1469
catalog number
NU*255927.1469
accession number
255927

20 Dollars, United States, 1907

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1907Obverse 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, 1907
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 / 1907
Reverse Image: Eagle flying through rays of sun.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS
Edge: E PLURIBUS UNUM divided by stars.
Description
United States Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber believed high relief was impractical. He literally flattened Augustus Saint-Gaudens's original concept, turning a beautiful coin into a pretty one. He also changed the date from Roman to Arabic numerals.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1907
mint
United States Mint
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
ID Number
NU.68.159.1049
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1049

200th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg Medalette, Jeton, Russia

Russia 1903200th Aniversary of St. PetersburgObverse Inscription: ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ 200 ЛЕТІЯ ОСН. С ПЕТЕР / 1703 / 1903 ("Commemorating 200th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg")Reverse: BlankCurrently not on view
Description
Russia 1903
200th Aniversary of St. Petersburg
Obverse Inscription: ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ 200 ЛЕТІЯ ОСН. С ПЕТЕР / 1703 / 1903 ("Commemorating 200th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg")
Reverse: Blank
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1903
ID Number
NU.68.263.1897
catalog number
68.263.1897
accession number
281689

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-10 of the District National Bank of Washington, DC, 1909

National bank note proof of the National City Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 9545. $10-10-10-10, 1905.
Description
National bank note proof of the National City Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 9545. $10-10-10-10, 1905. 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. These notes were from the Series of 1902. The Financial Panic of 1907 prompted Congress to pass the Aldrich-Vreeland Act of 1908. This emergency law permitted banks issuing national bank notes to substitute “or other securities” for United States Bonds deposited with the Treasurer to back up the national bank notes between 1908 and 1915. It was intended to increase the supply of circulating money. The phrase “or other securities” appears on the face to reflect this change. This bank was organized on September 8, 1909 and went into receivership on November 11, 1933. Forty-eight large size notes and forty-seven 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
ID Number
NNC.297219.00550
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00550

200th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg Medalette, Jeton, Russia

This medalette commemorates the 200th anniversary of St. Petersburg. The city, founded by Peter the Great on May 27, 1703 bridged Russia to Europe.Obverse inscription: ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ 200 ЛЕТІЯ ОСН.
Description
This medalette commemorates the 200th anniversary of St. Petersburg. The city, founded by Peter the Great on May 27, 1703 bridged Russia to Europe.
Obverse inscription: ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ 200 ЛЕТІЯ ОСН. С ПЕТЕР / 1703 / 1903 ("Commemorating 200th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg").
Reverse inscription: (None)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1903
ID Number
NU.68.263.1882
catalog number
68.263.1882
accession number
281689

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the West End National Bank of Washington, DC, 1891

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

20 Dollars, United States, 1904

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1904Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1904Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1904
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1904
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
1904
maker
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.201556.0016
accession number
201556
catalog number
NU56672

25 Cents, Tenino, Washington, United States, 1933

One (1) 25 cent scripUnited States, 1933Obverse Image: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln.Obverse Text: TENINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / 25C / TENINO, WASH.Reverse Image: N/AReverse Text: THIS SCRIP IS REDEEMABLE BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE TENINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 25 cent scrip
United States, 1933
Obverse Image: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
Obverse Text: TENINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / 25C / TENINO, WASH.
Reverse Image: N/A
Reverse Text: THIS SCRIP IS REDEEMABLE BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE TENINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC. FROM THURSTON COUNTY WARRANTS AND THE ASSIGNED DIVIDENDS FROM THE LIQUIDATION OF THE CITIZENS BANK OF TENINO FOR THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY-FIVE CENTS IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY / NO. 1475 / REDEEMABLE DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 1933 / THIRD SERIES / ISSUE OF JANUARY, 1933.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933-01
ID Number
2008.0108.0023
accession number
2008.0108
catalog number
74.14.23
serial number
1475

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-10 of the Dupont National Bank of Washington, DC, 1918

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

2 1/2 Dollars, United States, 1907

One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coinUnited States, 1907Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin
United States, 1907
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1907
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 2 1/2 D.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1907
mint
United States Mint
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
NU.68.159.0593
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0593

Coined Die (Reverse)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
ID Number
CL.316043
accession number
66048
catalog number
316043

20 Dollars, United States, 1903

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1903Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1903Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1903
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1903
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
1903
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.71.316.395
accession number
297954
catalog number
71.316.395

20 Dollars, United States, 1907

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1907Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1907Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1907
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1907
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
1907
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.1993
catalog number
NU*255927.1993
accession number
255927

5 Dollars, Proof, United States, 1908

One (1) 5 dollar coin, matte proofUnited States, 1908Obverse Image: Left profile of a Native American man wearing a feathered headdress.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar coin, matte proof
United States, 1908
Obverse Image: Left profile of a Native American man wearing a feathered headdress. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1908 / B.L.P.
Reverse Image: Eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / FIVE DOLLARS
Description
Dr. William S. Bigelow, a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, thought coins would wear better if designs were impressed into their surfaces rather than raised above them. He successfully recruited Roosevelt to the idea and Bela Lyon Pratt, a well-known Boston sculptor, was commissioned to create a design. Overturning thousands of years of numismatic tradition, this incuse or engraved style coin was the first to be produced by the United States Mint. The design went into production, but it did not escape all criticism. S.H. Chapman, a well-known Philadelphia coin dealer, expressed his displeasure in a letter to Roosevelt. He claimed that the new coin was a disgrace to the country, criticizing the incuse concept on aesthetic and technical grounds. Regardless, the new design prevailed and remained in use until 1929. This particular coin was struck for collectors rather than for commerce; the sandblast texture on its surfaces was one of several new ideas experimented with but deemed impractical for mass circulation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908
mint
United States Mint
designer
Pratt, Bela Lyon
ID Number
NU.68.159.0254
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0254

Russia 1920, Jeton, Russia

This Russian medal was minted in 1902, during the reign of Nicholas I (1894-1917).Obverse inscription: (None)Reverse inscription: 270KT / 1902.Currently not on view
Description
This Russian medal was minted in 1902, during the reign of Nicholas I (1894-1917).
Obverse inscription: (None)
Reverse inscription: 270KT / 1902.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1902
date made
ca 1902
ID Number
NU.68.263.1317
catalog number
68.263.1317
accession number
281689

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the Commercial National Bank of Washington, DC, 1904

National bank note proof of the Commercial National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 7446. $10-10-10-20, 1904.
Description
National bank note proof of the Commercial National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 7446. $10-10-10-20, 1904. 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 October 18, 1904 and the plate that produced this proof sheet was approved for use on November 3. This bank absorbed the National City Bank of Washington, Charter 7936, in 1911. The Commercial National Bank itself went into receivership on February 28, 1933. That was a few days before Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated President and promptly declared a bank holiday to prevent further runs on banks nationwide.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
ID Number
NNC.297219.00548
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00548

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the National City Bank of Washington, DC, 1905

National bank note proof of the National City Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 7936. $10-10-10-20, 1905.
Description
National bank note proof of the National City Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 7936. $10-10-10-20, 1905. 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 in October, 1905 and was liquidated on May 1, 1911. Only one note is known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
1899
1890
1909
1922
1904
1905
ID Number
NNC.297219.00549
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00549

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the First National Bank of Scotland, South Dakota. 1903.

National bank note proof of the First National Bank of Scotland, South Dakota. Charter 7048. $10-10-10-20, 1903.
Description
National bank note proof of the First National Bank of Scotland, South Dakota. Charter 7048. $10-10-10-20, 1903. 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 on November 23, 1903 and went into receivership on February 4, 1907. No notes are known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NNC.297219.00571
accession number
297219

Proof sheet for $10-10-10-20 of the Farmers National Bank of Primghar, Iowa. 1903

National bank note proof of the Farmers National Bank of Primghar, Iowa. Charter 6650. $10-10-10-20, 1903.
Description
National bank note proof of the Farmers National Bank of Primghar, Iowa. Charter 6650. $10-10-10-20, 1903. 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 on February 2, 1903, and liquidated on November 10, 1904. No notes are known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NNC.297219.00565
accession number
297219

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