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.

One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1842Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1842
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1842
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TEN D.
General Information: Small date.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1842
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
1985.0441.0333
catalog number
1985.0441.0333
accession number
1985.0441
One (1) 10 dollar coin, proofUnited States, 1844Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin, proof
United States, 1844
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1844
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TEN D.
Description
Three proof 1844 eagles, including this one, are recorded. One of the others is part of a set.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1844
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
maker
United States Mint
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
1985.0441.0355
catalog number
1985.0441.0355
accession number
1985.0441
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin, proofUnited States, 1841Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin, proof
United States, 1841
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1840
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.
Description
Only proof quarter eagles were minted in 1841, and the coins have been recognized as rarities for nearly a century. This is one of eleven specimens that have been confirmed. Oddly enough, most entered circulation and only later were recognized as rarities.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1841
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
1991.0357.0015
catalog number
1991.0357.0015
accession number
1991.0357
One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1848Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1848
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1848
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TEN D.
Description
Eagles struck for circulation in extraordinary grade are almost as rare as specimen or proof coins. The eagle was a heavy coin, its alloy fairly soft. To encounter a piece like this, with virtually no contact marks, is a rare occurrence.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1848
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
maker
United States Mint
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
NU.68.159.0807
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0807
This coin minted by the private firm of Norris, Gregg, and Norris preserves the memory of the California Gold Rush and all those who pursued it seeking their fortunes. N.G&N.’s products are commonly believed to be the first California private gold coins.Currently not on view
Description
This coin minted by the private firm of Norris, Gregg, and Norris preserves the memory of the California Gold Rush and all those who pursued it seeking their fortunes. N.G&N.’s products are commonly believed to be the first California private gold coins.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1849
maker
Norris, Gregg & Norris
ID Number
NU.68.159.1173
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1173

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