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.

One (1) modified coinUnited States, 20th centuryObverse Image: A car.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE CENTSReverse Image: Portrait of a Native American.Reverse Text: LIBERTY / 1935General Information: 1935 carved buffalo nickel.
Description (Brief)
One (1) modified coin
United States, 20th century
Obverse Image: A car.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE CENTS
Reverse Image: Portrait of a Native American.
Reverse Text: LIBERTY / 1935
General Information: 1935 carved buffalo nickel. Hitch-hiker thumb and car carved on buffalo side. Artist: Jay Deboer
Description
The individuals depicted on American coins are carefully selected, and their portraits are designed under the supervision of U.S. Mint officials. Once these coins enter circulation, however, they can be altered to feature alternative designs. U.S. nickels have often been targeted for modification due to their size and the malleability of their metal. The artfully modified coins are often referred to as hobo nickels because they are inexpensive and portable.
date made
1935
2013
maker
Jay L. DeBoer
ID Number
2013.0275.01
catalog number
2013.0275.01
accession number
2013.0275
One (1) modified coinUnited States, 20th centuryObverse Image: A skeletal Native American.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1937Reverse Image: A buffalo.Reverse Text: UINTED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE CENTSGeneral Information: 1937 carved buffalo nickel.
Description (Brief)
One (1) modified coin
United States, 20th century
Obverse Image: A skeletal Native American.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1937
Reverse Image: A buffalo.
Reverse Text: UINTED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE CENTS
General Information: 1937 carved buffalo nickel. Obverse: Indian skull carved over Indian head . Artist: Jay DeBoer
Description
The individuals depicted on American coins are carefully selected, and their portraits are designed under the supervision of U.S. Mint officials. Once these coins enter circulation, however, they can be altered to feature alternative designs. U.S. nickels have often been targeted for modification due to their size and the malleability of their metal. The artfully modified coins are often referred to as hobo nickels because they are inexpensive and portable.
date made
1937
2013
maker
Jay L. DeBoer
ID Number
2013.0275.02
catalog number
2013.0275.02
accession number
2013.0275

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