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.

Resource Type: Coins (money)

20 Dollars, United States, 1888

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1888Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1888Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1888
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1888
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
1888
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.71.316.377
accession number
297954
catalog number
71.316.377

20 Dollars, United States, 1894

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1894Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1894Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1894
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1894
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
1894
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.297035.0034
catalog number
NU*297035.0034
accession number
297035

20 Dollars, United States, 1869

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1869Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1869Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1869
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1869
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
1869
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.68.159.0976
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0976

1 Solidus, Byzantine Empire, 685 - 695

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
685 - 695
maker
Justinian II Emperor of Byzantium
ID Number
NU.68.159.6079
catalog number
68.159.6079
accession number
283645

8 Reales, Peru, 1756

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1756
ruler
Ferdinand VI King of Spain
mint
Lima
issuing authority
Ferdinand VI King of Spain
ID Number
NU.278488.0005
accession number
278488
catalog number
68.138.06

1 Peso, Cuba, 1939

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
ID Number
NU.73.172.0146
catalog number
73.172.0146
accession number
319911

5 Kopeks, Russia, 1757

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1757
associated date
1757
head of government
Elizabeth
ID Number
NU.NU65212
accession number
240108
catalog number
NU65212

10 Dollars, United States, 1916

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

20 Dollars, United States, 1890

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, Carson City
ID Number
NU.71.316.380
accession number
297954
catalog number
71.316.380

Silver Dollar Launching Coin

In the life of a ship, launching day is one of the most important. Mariners have long believed that a mishap during a vessel’s slide from land to water foretold disaster. If the transition went smoothly, however, it was cause for celebration.
Description
In the life of a ship, launching day is one of the most important. Mariners have long believed that a mishap during a vessel’s slide from land to water foretold disaster. If the transition went smoothly, however, it was cause for celebration. This silver dollar was given to shipwright Archie Green on such an occasion in 1942, after he and his fellow shipyard workers successfully launched a C3 cargo ship in San Francisco.
Launching ceremonies include various rituals, some of which are rooted in maritime traditions. The vessel is officially named on this day, and though not fully completed, it is ready to be moved from the yard into the water, where the final outfitting will be done. The ship is first "christened" by breaking a bottle over the bow, an honor usually performed by a woman associated with the vessel, such as the ship owner’s wife or daughter. As the last of the holding blocks are removed, the ship is released into the water by the launching gang, the crew responsible for ensuring the launch’s success.
Archie Green was born in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1917 and moved to Los Angeles with his parents in 1922. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1939, he began to learn the shipbuilding trade at the San Francisco shipyards. When war broke out, he took part in the U.S. government-sponsored emergency shipbuilding program, which was established to offset the terrible losses of cargo ships by Nazi U-boats.
Drawing from lessons learned during the First World War, shipbuilders developed plans for standardized, prefabricated vessels that could be constructed in any shipyard in the nation. The most famous of these were the Liberty and Victory ships, which transported supplies and troops to Allied positions across the world. A type C3 ship, such as the one associated with this coin, was another design that produced a general-purpose vessel able to carry any cargo, but could also be modified for specific uses. Between 1939 and 1947, 465 of these ships were built in American shipyards.
Archie Green went on to earn a Ph.D. in folklore and devoted his scholarly and teaching career to workers’ culture and occupational traditions. He remained a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America until his death in 2009.
date made
1923
shipwright
Green, Archie
Archie Green's college
University of California, Berkeley
ID Number
1994.0296.01
catalog number
1994.0296.01
accession number
1994.0296

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, 1882

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1882Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1882Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1882
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1882
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
1882
designer
Longacre, James Barton
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
NU.255927.0651
catalog number
NU85793.04
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

1 Polushka, Russia, 1706

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1706
Associated Name
Peter I
ID Number
NU.NU61423.11
catalog number
NU61423.11
accession number
210914

1 Decadrachm, Syracuse, about 400 B.C.E.

Among the most alluring coins of antiquity was the Syracuse dekadrachm. Its artistry (designed by Kimon and Euinatos, among others)and incredibly high relief have captivated coin lovers for two and a half millennia.
Description
Among the most alluring coins of antiquity was the Syracuse dekadrachm. Its artistry (designed by Kimon and Euinatos, among others)and incredibly high relief have captivated coin lovers for two and a half millennia. How did the Greeks, who worked only by hand, achieve such levels of beauty?
One of those attracted by coins such as this was a dynamic American president, Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt's record as a political reformer is well known. What is less recognized is his role in reforming American money. When the President compared contemporary American coins to Classical masterpieces such as this dekadrachm, he became indignant. Why, he wondered, did the powerful, young nation he was leading tolerate its pedestrian gold and silver coinage? Why couldn't American money be more artistic? Why couldn't it be as beautiful as ancient coinage? Why couldn't it feature dramatic relief, so that every facet of its design was clear for all to see? Roosevelt acted on his thought by enlisting sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to design what many regard as the most beautiful American coin ever produced, the 1907 twenty-dollar gold piece.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 5th century BCE
late 5th century BCE
maker
Syracuse
ID Number
1981.1025.0010
accession number
1981.1025
catalog number
1981.1025.0010

20 Dollars, United States, 1931

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1931Obverse 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, 1931
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 / 1931 / D
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
1931
maker
United States Mint
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
mint
U.S. Mint, Denver
ID Number
1985.0441.1600
catalog number
1985.0441.1600
accession number
1985.0441

5 Reales, Venezuela, 1858

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1858
ID Number
NU.NU72821
catalog number
NU72821
accession number
240869

20 Dollars, Moffat & Co., United States, 1853

Produced at Moffat & Company's mint, San Francisco, California. Obverse: Liberty head, stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination.
Description
Produced at Moffat & Company's mint, San Francisco, California. Obverse: Liberty head, stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. Obverse and reverse designs bear a close and deliberate similarity to those used on the "official" double eagle of the same period produced by the U.S. Mint for regular circulating coins.
Moffat & Company was a major player in the production of California private gold coinage. It was closely connected with Augustus Humbert and the fifty-dollar "slugs" of the United States Assay Office of Gold in San Francisco. Humbert did the assaying and Moffat did the coining. This 1853 double eagle is one of the last coins struck by this prolific California pioneer coiner. It was minted in the late summer or early autumn of 1853.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1853
maker
Moffat & Company
ID Number
1991.0009.0990
catalog number
1991.0009.0990
accession number
1991.0009

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

10 Rubles, Pattern, Nicholas II, Russia, 1895

One (1) 10 ruble coin, pattern, Nicholas IIRussia, 1895Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicolas II facing left.Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 ruble coin, pattern, Nicholas II
Russia, 1895
Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicolas 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: [2/3 of Imperial / 10 Rubles / 1895]
Description
This pattern 10 ruble coin was struck in Russia in 1895, under 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
head of government
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.69.128.393
accession number
286473
catalog number
69.128.393

1 Ruble, Proof, Nicholas II, Russia, 1895

One (1) ruble coin, proof, Nicholas IIRussia, 1895Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicholas II facing left.Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, proof, Nicholas II
Russia, 1895
Obverse Image: Portrait of 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 proof ruble was struck in Russia in 1895, during the reign of Nicholas II who ruled from 1894 - 1917. The 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
head of government
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.492
accession number
281689
catalog number
68.263.492

20 Dollars, United States, 1910

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

5 Pounds "Una and the Lion," Great Britain, 1839

date made
1839
head of government
Victoria Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India
ID Number
NU.68.159.5426
catalog number
68.159.5426
accession number
283645

20 Dollars, United States, 1883

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

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