National Numismatic Collection

The National Numismatic Collection is comprised of approximately 1.6 million objects and is thought to be the largest collection of money and transactional objects in the world. Its diverse holdings represent every inhabited continent and span more than three millennia.

The collection has grown from a few thousand objects in the mid-19th century to its present size through donations from public institutions and private collections.

The National Numismatic Collection is unrivaled in its holdings of American material. It is the U.S. monetary system's collection of record and includes the extraordinary collections of the U.S. Mint, Treasury, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

A small portion of the National Numismatic Collection is available here. The National Numismatic Collection is currently working to develop digitization initiatives in order to make the national collection more accessible to the public.

date made
1893
depicted (sitter)
Queen Lili'uokalani
ID Number
NU.68.159.5780
catalog number
68.159.5780
accession number
283645
One (1) dollar noteUnited States, 1891Obverse Image: Portrait of Martha Washington at left.Obverse Text: 1 / ONE / SILVER CERTIFICATE / ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar note
United States, 1891
Obverse Image: Portrait of Martha Washington at left.
Obverse Text: 1 / ONE / SILVER CERTIFICATE / ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING. / THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAS BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES ONE SILVER DOLLAR PAYABLE TO BEARER ON DEMAND. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / E50087787 / 109 C / ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886. / SERIES 1891.
Reverse Image: Ornate design.
Reverse Text: 1 / ONE / UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE / ONE DOLLAR / THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED. / BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
date made
1891
depicted
Washington, Martha
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.78.5.552
catalog number
78.5.552
accession number
1978.0941
serial number
E50087787
Available for transcription
Crowdsourcing
Available for transcription
date made
1892
issuing authority
U.S. Department of the Treasury
manufacturer
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.297219.045583
accession number
297219
catalog number
297219.045583
date made
1892 - 1893
obverse designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
reverse designer
Barber, Charles
manufacturer
United States Mint
ID Number
NU.NU43324
accession number
165206
catalog number
NU43324
date made
1895 - 1896
1895/6
associated date
1896
alternate calendar date
1314
ID Number
NU.68.159.5997
catalog number
68.159.5997
accession number
283645
One (1) 50 kopek coin, Nicholas IIRussia, 1895Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicholas II facing left.Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 kopek coin, 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: 50 КОПѢЕКЪ 1895 Г.
Description
This coin worth 50 kopeks 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.
date made
1895
ruler
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.496
catalog number
68.263.496
accession number
281689
One (1) 25 ruble coin, Nicholas IIRussia, 1896Obverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Nicholas II.Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / II / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕЦЪ / BCEPOCC.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 25 ruble coin, Nicholas II
Russia, 1896
Obverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Nicholas II.
Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / II / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕЦЪ / BCEPOCC. [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 ½ ИМПSPIБЯБ / 25 РУбЛSЙ 30 ЯОТОМЪ / 1896 Г. [Imperial 2 ½ / 25 rubles in gold / 1896]
Description
This pattern 25 ruble coin was struck in Russia 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.
date made
1896
head of government
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.69.128.403
accession number
286473
catalog number
69.128.403
United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This is one of a series of pattern half dollars by Charles E. Barber.
Description
United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This is one of a series of pattern half dollars by Charles E. Barber. The obverse design is essentially identical with the format adopted for coinage in 1892. The reverse is different, and the clouds above the eagle never appeared on circulating coinage. This pattern is unique.
date made
1891
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
ID Number
1985.0441.2080
catalog number
1985.0441.2080
accession number
1985.0441
For this reverse, Barber portrayed a second eagle within a wreath, a design that was extremely cluttered. These two coins are the only known.
Description
For this reverse, Barber portrayed a second eagle within a wreath, a design that was extremely cluttered. These two coins are the only known.
date made
1891
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
ID Number
1985.0441.2086
catalog number
1985.0441.2086
accession number
1985.0441

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