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) 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
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
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1883Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1883Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1883
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1883
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
1883
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.71.316.372
accession number
297954
catalog number
71.316.372
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
National bank note proof from the National Bank of the Republic of Washington DC, $10-10-10-20. Charter number 875. 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 National Bank of the Republic of Washington DC, $10-10-10-20. Charter number 875. 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 March 10, 1865 and liquidated on August 11, 1897. This proof sheet is from the Series of 1882. There are five notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
ID Number
NNC.297219.00537
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00537
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1867Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1867Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1867
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1867
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 / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1867
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0974
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0974
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1892Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1892Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1892
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1892
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
1892
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.71.316.381
accession number
297954
catalog number
71.316.381
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1893
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.297035.0014
accession number
297035
catalog number
71.91.699
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1870Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1870Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1870
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1870
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 of sun above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / IN GOD WE TRUST / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.0230
accession number
255927
catalog number
NU85777
National bank note proof of the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank of Georgetown in Washington, DC, Charter 1928. $5-5-5-5, 1872. The image on the left is Christopher Columbus approaching land.
Description
National bank note proof of the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank of Georgetown in Washington, DC, Charter 1928. $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 January 24, 1872 and closed on December 15, 1928. It changed its name to the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank of Washington, DC in 1925 and was absorbed by Riggs Bank when it closed. There are fifty-six notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
ID Number
NNC.297219.00540
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00540
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
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
National bank note proof from the Traders National Bank of Washington DC, $50-100. Charter number 4244. The $50 note features the image of Washington crossing the Delaware River on the left; a soldier praying beneath the allegorical figure of Victory on the right.
Description
National bank note proof from the Traders National Bank of Washington DC, $50-100. Charter number 4244. The $50 note features the image of Washington crossing the Delaware River on the left; a soldier praying beneath the allegorical figure of Victory on the right. The $100 note features the image of sailors in a longboat approaching two ships labeled Lawrence and Niagara on the left; an image of winged Victory standing with fasces and the motto "Maintain it!" on the right. The bank was chartered on February 27, 1890. This proof sheet was certified for use six weeks later on April 18. There are seven notes known among collectors for this bank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
1896
1893
1891
1872
1920
1899
1890
ID Number
NNC.297219.00545
accession number
297219
catalog number
NU*297219.00545
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1896Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1896Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1896
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1896
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
1896
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.201556.0012
accession number
201556
catalog number
NU56668
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1977
depicted (sitter),United States 31rst Mint; Director, 1969-1977
Brooks, Mary
depicted (sitter)
Gasparro, Frank
maker
Gasparro, Frank
author
Ganz, David L.
ID Number
2009.0005.033
catalog number
2009.0005.033
accession number
2009.0005
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
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1854Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1854
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854
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 of sun above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Description
The sheer size of the California gold strike altered the nature of American numismatics. It was not only that mintage figures dramatically increased; the actual range of denominations increased as well.
Prior to 1849, there had been three gold coins: the quarter eagle, half eagle, and eagle (or $2.50, $5.00, and $10.00 coins). By 1854, three more had been added, a dollar, a three-dollar piece, and a double eagle, or twenty-dollar coin.
Artist James Barton Longacre designed all three of the new coins. The double eagle was the most popular. For its obverse, Longacre employed a simple head of Liberty, wearing a coronet. Stars surrounded the head of the goddess, and the date appeared below. The reverse depicted a somewhat ornate representation of an eagle, a "glory" of stars and rays above, the national motto to either side.
In 1854, the United States created a new branch mint in San Francisco to deal with the fruits of the gold rush. It was intended to replace a whole galaxy of private California mints that had created a variety of local coins.
This double eagle was the first coin the new federal mint struck. Below the eagle, each coin from the new branch Mint bore a distinctive small "S." This distinguished the coin from ones struck in Philadelphia, which had no such mark, and ones struck at New Orleans, which had an "O."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
maker
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
1985.0441.0488
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.0488
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1860Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1860Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1860
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1860
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. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0965
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0965
One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1930Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1930Reverse 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, 1930
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1930
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
Most of the run was melted. This is one of the finest survivors.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
1985.0441.1588
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.1588
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) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1864Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1864Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1864
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1864
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. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0970
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0970
One (1) 5 dollar coinUnited States, 1854Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar coin
United States, 1854
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest with vertical stripes on bottom part and horizontal stripes on top part.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE D. / S
Description
The mint struck eagles and double eagles in some quantity (about 124,000 and 141,000, respectively). But it only minted a handful of quarter eagles (less than 250), and hardly more half eagles. The piece shown here is arguably the finest known. San Francisco expanded production in the next few years, adding silver coinage to the gold, and gradually assumed its position as a major producer of the nation's money.
Made of California gold, this rare coin was one of the first produced at the U.S. Mint branch in San Francisco. The mintmark, "S," is stamped on the reverse. California gold initially had to be shipped for coining to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, an expensive, slow, and risky undertaking. Meanwhile, private mints made coins that could be used in local markets. With the opening of the San Francisco Mint in 1854, gold could be converted quickly and efficiently into U.S. legal tender.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1854
issuing authority
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
NU.68.159.0210
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0210
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1901Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1901Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1901
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1901
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
Description
Although the mintage for the 1901-S double eagle is far higher than for the 1901 Philadelphia issue, the 1901-S coins are considerably rarer in choice condition. Low-grade to MS-62(mint state) examples are fairly abundant as a result of overseas shipments being repatriated in recent decades. Choice and gem examples are very rare. Just a few MS-65 or better pieces are known.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1901
maker
United States Mint
deisgner
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
1979.1263.00077
catalog number
1979.1263.00077
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
04995
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

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