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.

Russia 1899Obverse Inscription: М. ГАБЕ Р / 1873 - 1899Reverse: Image of machinery ВЛАДИМIРУ ФЕОДОРОВИЧУ АЛЕКСЬЕВУ / ОТЪ СОСЛУЖИВЦЕВЪ ("Vladmir Fyodoryevich Alexei(?) / From Colleagues")Currently not on view
Description
Russia 1899
Obverse Inscription: М. ГАБЕ Р / 1873 - 1899
Reverse: Image of machinery ВЛАДИМIРУ ФЕОДОРОВИЧУ АЛЕКСЬЕВУ / ОТЪ СОСЛУЖИВЦЕВЪ ("Vladmir Fyodoryevich Alexei(?) / From Colleagues")
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1899
ID Number
NU.68.263.956
catalog number
68.263.956
accession number
281689
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
One (1) ruble coin, Nicholas IIRussia, 1895Obverse Image: Nicholas II facing left.Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, Nicholas II
Russia, 1895
Obverse Image: Nicholas II facing left.
Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС. [Nicholas II the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia]
Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle wearing a shield with a mounted figure (Saint George), the imperial crowns on each head stand for the unity and sovereignty of Russia, the orb and scepter grasped in the eagle's talons are traditional heraldic symbols.
Reverse Text: РУБЛЬ 1895 Г.
Description
This ruble was struck in Russia in 1895, during the reign of Nicholas II who ruled from 1894-1917. Last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II was assassinated with his family by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
ruler
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.494
catalog number
68.263.494
accession number
281689
National bank note proof from the National Metropolitan Bank of Washington DC. Charter 1069. $5-5-5-5, 1896. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 soon after he was elected. This bank was first chartered in 1865.
Description
National bank note proof from the National Metropolitan Bank of Washington DC. Charter 1069. $5-5-5-5, 1896. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 soon after he was elected. This bank was first chartered in 1865. The bank changed its name to the National Metropolitan Citizens Bank in November 1904 and changed again to the original title in January 1906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
ID Number
NNC.297219.00538
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00538
This medal was struck in Russia on May 14, 1896 to commemorate the coronation of Nicholas II who ruled from 1894-1917.
Description
This medal was struck in Russia on May 14, 1896 to commemorate the coronation of Nicholas II who ruled from 1894-1917. The last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II was assassinated by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918.
Obverse inscription: Н2А ("Nicholas II Alexandra").
Reverse inscription: ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ СВЯЩЕННАГО КОРОНОВАНIЯ / ИХЪ ИМПЕРАТОРСКИХЪ ВЕЛИЧЕСТВЪ 14 МАЯ / ("In Memory of the Sacred Coronation / Their Imperial Majesties, May 14th").
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896
associated person
Nicholas II
ID Number
NU.68.263.1070
catalog number
68.263.1070
accession number
281689
National bank note proof of the Citizens’ National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 1893. $5-5-5-5, 1891. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 seven months after he was elected.
Description
National bank note proof of the Citizens’ National Bank of Washington, DC, Charter 1893. $5-5-5-5, 1891. The image on the left is President James Garfield who was assassinated in 1881 seven months after he was elected. This bank moved from Hagerstown, Maryland to Washington, D.C. in 1874. It is one of fewer than a half dozen national banks that moved to a different jurisdiction. It was chartered on October 18, 1871 as the Citizens’ National Bank of Hagerstown and relocated on May 1, 1874. The bank liquidated on November 7, 1904. There are seven notes known among collectors for this bank in its D.C. location, and none known from the period when it was in Maryland.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
ID Number
NNC.297219.00539
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00539
This medal, awarded to the Imperial Russian Technical Society for Exposition of Hunting Weapons in 1897, was minted under Nicholas II (1894-1917). The Society was founded in 1866 for the promotion of Russian technology and industry.
Description
This medal, awarded to the Imperial Russian Technical Society for Exposition of Hunting Weapons in 1897, was minted under Nicholas II (1894-1917). The Society was founded in 1866 for the promotion of Russian technology and industry. Medals were awarded to national industries for solving complex technical problems.
Obverse inscription: ВТОРУЮ ВЫСТАВКУ ОХОТНИЧЬЕГО ОРУЖИЕ И ПРОМЫСЛА / 1897 ("Second Exposition of Hunting Weapons and Fisheries").
Reverse inscription: ИМПЕРАТОРСКОЕ РУССКОЕ ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО ("Imperial Russian Technical Society").
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1897
ID Number
NU.68.263.1052
catalog number
68.263.1052
accession number
281689
GermanyAlexander III (Russia) & Naser al-Din (Persia)Obverse Inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III, Emperor of Russia")Reverse Inscription: NASSR-ED-DIN SCHAH VON PERSIEN ("Nassr-Ed-Din, Shah of Persia")Currently not on view
Description
Germany
Alexander III (Russia) & Naser al-Din (Persia)
Obverse Inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III, Emperor of Russia")
Reverse Inscription: NASSR-ED-DIN SCHAH VON PERSIEN ("Nassr-Ed-Din, Shah of Persia")
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881-1894
ID Number
NU.69.127.388
catalog number
69.127.0388
accession number
286471
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
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1892-05-17
plate date
1892-04-25
series date
1882
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
Aspen National Bank
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.002455
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.002455
bank charter number
4733
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1892-01-12
plate date
1891-12-24
series date
1882
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
First National Bank of Key West
depicted
Garfield, James A.
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.004609
catalog number
297219.004609
accession number
297219
bank charter number
4672
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1897-08-25
plate date
1897-08-14
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Register of the Treasury
Tillman, James Fount
issuing bank
First National Bank in East St. Louis
Treasurer of the United States
Roberts, Ellis Henry
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.006201
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.006201
bank charter number
4328
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1900-05-15
plate date
1892-10-15
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
City National Bank of Murphysboro
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.006330
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.006330
bank charter number
4804
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1895-05-01
plate date
1895-05-12
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Morgan, Daniel Nash
Register of the Treasury
Tillman, James Fount
issuing bank
First National Bank of Newport
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.011570
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.011570
bank charter number
2276
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1890-11-29
plate date
1872-02-15
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Huston, James Nelson
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
Nokomis National Bank
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.005582
catalog number
297219.005582
accession number
297219
bank charter number
1934
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1893-06-21
plate date
1893-06-03
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Morgan, Daniel Nash
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
Griggsville National Bank
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.005645
catalog number
297219.005645
accession number
297219
bank charter number
2116
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1908-11-18
plate date
1893-02-01
series date
1882
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
York County National Bank of York Village
depicted
Garfield, James A.
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.012982
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.012982
bank charter number
4844
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1896-08-12
plate date
1896-07-20
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Morgan, Daniel Nash
Register of the Treasury
Tillman, James Fount
issuing bank
First National Bank of Hutchinson
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.010467
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.010467
bank charter number
3180
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1910-09-12
plate date
1897-12-21
series date
1882
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Roberts, Ellis Henry
Register of the Treasury
Bruce, Blanche Kelso
issuing bank
Corn Exchange National Bank of Chicago
depicted
Garfield, James A.
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.006436
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.006436
bank charter number
5106
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1909-10-01
plate date
1894-07-12
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Morgan, Daniel Nash
Register of the Treasury
Tillman, James Fount
issuing bank
First National Bank of San Jose
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.000899
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.000899
bank charter number
2158
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1893-05-19
plate date
1893-02-23
series date
1882
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
First National Bank of Toluca
depicted
Garfield, James A.
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.006342
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.006342
bank charter number
4871
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1908-11-28
plate date
1892-05-26
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Nebecker, Enos H.
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
Keokuk National Bank
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.009110
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.009110
bank charter number
1992
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1900-08-04
plate date
1890-11-16
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Huston, James Nelson
Register of the Treasury
Rosecrans, William S.
issuing bank
First National Bank of Indianola
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.009047
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.009047
bank charter number
1811
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteersCurrently not on view
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Location
Currently not on view
BEP certification date
1899-01-06
plate date
1899-02-06
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States
Roberts, Ellis Henry
Register of the Treasury
Lyons, Judson Whitlocke
issuing bank
First National Bank of Stockton
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.000933
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.000933
bank charter number
2412

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