National Numismatic Collection

Brasher Half Doubloon, United States, 1787

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.

1 Ruble, Pattern, Paul I, Russia, 1796

One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Paul IRussia, 1796Obverse Image: Portrait of Paul I facing right.Obverse Text: Б / M / ПABEAЂ/ I / IMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / C.L.F. / CПБ [Paul I the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / C.L.F.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Paul I
Russia, 1796
Obverse Image: Portrait of Paul I facing right.
Obverse Text: Б / M / ПABEAЂ/ I / IMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / C.L.F. / CПБ [Paul I the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / C.L.F. / SPB]
Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle wearing a shield with a mounted figure (Saint George), surrounded by four crowned П (P for Paul).
Reverse Text: MOHETA / РƔБЛЬ / 1796 / IOДA / [coin / ruble / 1796 / year]
Description
This pattern ruble was minted in Russia in 1796 under Paul I. Paul I was Emperor of Russia from 1769 until his assassination in March of 1801.
date made
1796
head of government
Paul I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.NU83551
catalog number
NU83551
accession number
257688

4 Excellentes, Spain, 1474 - 1516

date made
1474 - 1516
period of administration
1474 - 1516
ID Number
NU.68.159.5711
catalog number
68.159.5711
accession number
283645

Scale, United States, 19th century

One (1) scaleUnited States, 19th century
Description (Brief)
One (1) scale
United States, 19th century
date made
19th century
ID Number
2001.0009.0354
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0354

50 Dollars

Kellogg & Co. was one of the last private coiners to appear in San Francisco, but its double eagles were well made and well engraved.
Description
Kellogg & Co. was one of the last private coiners to appear in San Francisco, but its double eagles were well made and well engraved. One of those responsible for the artwork was Ferdinand Gruner, another Central European emigre who may have also been responsible for some of the fractional gold coinage of the decade of the 1850s.
Kellogg & Co. was an offshoot of a larger firm, Moffat & Co. John Glover Kellogg had served as Moffat's cashier, while the other principal, G. F. Richter, had been its assayer.
Perhaps emboldened by public acceptance of their twenty-dollar coins, Kellogg & Co. put plans into motion to produce a fifty-dollar piece. Eleven coins, all proofs, survive to bear testimony to this idea. But no business strikes resulted, even though a competitor, Wass, Molitor & Co., did succeed in circulating such pieces during that same year.
date made
1855
mint
Kellogg and Company
ID Number
NU.68.159.1149
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1149

1 Tetradrachm, Macedon, 336 - 323 BCE

date made
336 - 323 BCE
ID Number
1985.0551.1094
accession number
1985.0551
catalog number
1985.0551.1094

1 Kopek, Peter II, Russia, 1730

One (1) kopek coin, Peter IIRussia, 1730Obverse Image: Crowned initials.Obverse Text: I / IReverse Image: St. George on horseback slaying the dragon.Reverse Text: КОПЕИКАPeter II ruled from 1727 to 1730. This coin depicts St. George on horseback as he slays the dragon below.
Description (Brief)
One (1) kopek coin, Peter II
Russia, 1730
Obverse Image: Crowned initials.
Obverse Text: I / I
Reverse Image: St. George on horseback slaying the dragon.
Reverse Text: КОПЕИКА
Description
Peter II ruled from 1727 to 1730. This coin depicts St. George on horseback as he slays the dragon below.
date made
1730
ruler
Peter II
ID Number
NU.NU62855
catalog number
NU62855
accession number
228217

2 oz. Weight, United States

One (1) 2 oz. weightUnited States
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 oz. weight
United States
date made
n.d.
ID Number
2014.0016.015
accession number
2014.0016
catalog number
2014.0016.015

1 Tetradrachm, Macedon, 306-283 BCE

date made
306 - 283 BCE
head of government
Demetrius Poliorcetes
maker
Demetrius Poliorcetes
ID Number
2001.0009.0198
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0198

1 Decadrachm, Egypt, 3rd century BCE

date made
3rd century BCE
head of government
Arsinoe II Queen of Thrace and Egypt
maker
Arsinoe II Queen of Thrace and Egypt
ID Number
2001.0009.0202
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0202

1 Ruble, Pattern, Nicholas I, Russia, 1845

One (1) ruble coin, patternRussia, 1845Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Emperor Nicholas I.Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / I / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕПЪ / BCEPOCC.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern
Russia, 1845
Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Emperor Nicholas I.
Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / I / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕПЪ / BCEPOCC. [Nicholas I 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: ЧИСТАГО / CEPEБPA / 4 30ЛОТНИКА / 21 ДОЛЯ / 1845 [4 zlotn. / 21 shares of pure silver / 1845]
Description
Minted in Russia in 1845, this pattern ruble was issued during the reign of Nicholas I. Married to Charlotte (Alexandra Fedorovna) of Prussia, Nicholas I ruled from 1825 to his death on March 2, 1855. He led the Russian army unsuccessfully in the Crimean War, but helped defeat the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War (1828-29). Under his rule, the Russian Empire spanned over 7.7 million square miles.
date made
1845
head of government
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
issuing authority
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.202
accession number
281689
catalog number
68.263.202

Cowrie Shell, Uganda, Africa

Small seashells have many characteristics that make them ideal monetary objects. They are durable, portable, and difficult to imitate. One species of cowrie shell is known as the money shell because it was used so widely for this purpose.
Description
Small seashells have many characteristics that make them ideal monetary objects. They are durable, portable, and difficult to imitate. One species of cowrie shell is known as the money shell because it was used so widely for this purpose. Shells circulated as a medium of exchange in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North America.
date made
n.d.
ID Number
1979.1263.00542
catalog number
1979.1263.00542
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC150A

Illustrious Predecessor, Hard Times Token, United States, 1837

One (1) Illustrious Predecessor hard times tokenUnited States, 1837Obverse Image: Running donkey.Obverse Text: I FOLLOW IN THE / STEPS / OF MY / ILLUSTRIOUS PREDECESSORReverse Image: Turtle carrying a safe on its back.Reverse Text: EXECUTIVE / FINANCIERING / SUB TREASURY / 1837 /
Description (Brief)
One (1) Illustrious Predecessor hard times token
United States, 1837
Obverse Image: Running donkey.
Obverse Text: I FOLLOW IN THE / STEPS / OF MY / ILLUSTRIOUS PREDECESSOR
Reverse Image: Turtle carrying a safe on its back.
Reverse Text: EXECUTIVE / FINANCIERING / SUB TREASURY / 1837 / FISCAL AGENT
Description
During the 1830s and the early 1840s, the U.S. faced economic decline and a shortage of coins. Copper tokens, called hard-times tokens, were issued privately and used as money. Some contain satirical images, such as a tortoise carrying a safe with the word “Treasury” on it.
date made
1837
associated date
1837
ID Number
NU.71.321.1
catalog number
71.321.1
accession number
297935

1 Grosh, Catherine I, Russia, 1727

One (1) grosh coin, Catherine IRussia, 1727Obverse Image: N/AObverse Text: [too worn to decipher]Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle.Reverse Text: N/A
Description (Brief)
One (1) grosh coin, Catherine I
Russia, 1727
Obverse Image: N/A
Obverse Text: [too worn to decipher]
Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle.
Reverse Text: N/A
date made
1727
Associated Name
Catherine I
ID Number
NU.NU62809
catalog number
NU62809
accession number
228217

500 Rubles, Azerbaijan, 1920

date made
1920
ID Number
NU.67.95293
accession number
274116
catalog number
67.95293
serial number
GB 1195

500 Pesetas, Spain, 1927

date made
1927
ID Number
NU.66.26316
accession number
269139
catalog number
66.26316
serial number
1692760

20 Dala, Hawaii, 1893

date made
1893
depicted (sitter)
Queen Lili'uokalani
ID Number
NU.68.159.5780
catalog number
68.159.5780
accession number
283645

2 Pounds, England, 1823

date made
1823
associated date
1823
head of government
George IV King of the United Kingdom
ID Number
NU.68.159.3744
catalog number
68.159.3744
accession number
283645

100,000 Drachma, Greece, 1944

date made
1944
ID Number
NU.66.21831
accession number
269137
catalog number
66.21831

1 Quetzal, Guatemala, 2008

One (1) quetzal polymer noteGuatemala, 2008Obverse Image: José María Orellana, President of Guatemala during the Currency Reform that introduced the Quetzal as the official currency and a quetzal bird.Obverse Text: BANCO DE GUATEMALA / GUATEMALA CENTRO AMERICA / B04201253C / UN Q
Description (Brief)
One (1) quetzal polymer note
Guatemala, 2008
Obverse Image: José María Orellana, President of Guatemala during the Currency Reform that introduced the Quetzal as the official currency and a quetzal bird.
Obverse Text: BANCO DE GUATEMALA / GUATEMALA CENTRO AMERICA / B04201253C / UN QUETZAL / GERENTE GENERAL / PRESIDENTA / OBERTHUR TECHNOLOGIES / GENERAL JOSE MARIA ORELLANA . PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA, 1921-1926, EN CUYO / GOBIERNO FUE CREADA LA MONEDA QUETZAL / 1 / AUTHORIZACION 12 DE MARZO DE 2008
Reverse Image: Main building of the Central Bank of Guatemala, Placa de Leyden and Ara de Tikal.
Reverse Text: BANCO DE GUATEMALA / UN QUETZAL / PLACA DE LEYDEN / ARA DE TIKAL / 1
date made
2008
ID Number
2014.0193.026
accession number
2014.0193
catalog number
2014.0193.026
serial number
B04201253C

8 Escudos, Mexico, 1744

date made
1744
ruler
Philip V King of Spain
issuing authority
Philip V King of Spain
ID Number
NU.68.159.2149
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.2149

10 Rubles, Russia, 1762

One (1) 10 ruble coin, Peter IIIRussia, 1762Obverse Image: Right-facing bust of Peter III.Obverse Text: ПЕТРБ / ІІІ / Б / М / ІМП / ІСАМОДЕРЖ / ВСЕРОС / СПБReverse Image: Four interlocking shields.Reverse Text: 1762 / ІМПРСКАЯ / РОССІИС / МОН / ЦЕНА / ДЕСЯТ / РҨБPeter III of Russ
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 ruble coin, Peter III
Russia, 1762
Obverse Image: Right-facing bust of Peter III.
Obverse Text: ПЕТРБ / ІІІ / Б / М / ІМП / ІСАМОДЕРЖ / ВСЕРОС / СПБ
Reverse Image: Four interlocking shields.
Reverse Text: 1762 / ІМПРСКАЯ / РОССІИС / МОН / ЦЕНА / ДЕСЯТ / РҨБ
Description
Peter III of Russia ruled for only six months in 1762. This coin depicts his portrait on the obverse and the coats of arms of Moscow, Astrakhan, Kazan, and Siberia around the coat of arms of the Russian Empire on the reverse.
date made
1762
associated date
1762
head of government
Peter III Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.69.128.43
accession number
286473
catalog number
69.128.43

Modified Coin Bracelet, 20th century

date made
20th century
ID Number
2002.0007.0625
accession number
2002.0007
catalog number
2002.0007.0625

United States Coin Necklace, United States, 20th Century

Gold and silver have been used for both coinage and jewelry for more than 2,500 years. Coins intended for circulation as money have also been paired with precious gemstones and other metals to make jewelry, such as this necklace.
Description
Gold and silver have been used for both coinage and jewelry for more than 2,500 years. Coins intended for circulation as money have also been paired with precious gemstones and other metals to make jewelry, such as this necklace. Incorporating coins into jewelry may be used to signify monetary wealth.
date made
ca 1914
maker
Webb, David
ID Number
NU.84.25.01
catalog number
84.25.01
accession number
1984.0603

1 Dollar, John Quincy Adams, United States, 2008

One (1) dollar coin, John Quincy AdamsUnited States, 2008Obverse Image: Front facing portrait of John Quincy Adams.Obverse Text: JOHN QUINCY ADAMS / 6TH PRESIDENT / 1825-1829Reverse Image: Statue of Liberty.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / $1 / E PLURIBUS UNUM / IN GOD WE
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar coin, John Quincy Adams
United States, 2008
Obverse Image: Front facing portrait of John Quincy Adams.
Obverse Text: JOHN QUINCY ADAMS / 6TH PRESIDENT / 1825-1829
Reverse Image: Statue of Liberty.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / $1 / E PLURIBUS UNUM / IN GOD WE TRUST / 2008 / D
date made
2008
maker
U.S. Mint, Denver
ID Number
2013.0157.033
catalog number
2013.0157.033
accession number
2013.0157

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