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.

Resource Type: Coins (money)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Drachm, Bactria, 2nd century BCE

The languages used on money convey a message about the community for which the currency is intended. One of the earliest bilingual coins is this Indo-Greek drachm from around 160 BCE, which features both Greek and an ancient South Asian script.
Description
The languages used on money convey a message about the community for which the currency is intended. One of the earliest bilingual coins is this Indo-Greek drachm from around 160 BCE, which features both Greek and an ancient South Asian script.
date made
2nd century BCE
ID Number
1987.0935.14
accession number
1987.0934
catalog number
1987.0934.14

1 Dollar, James Monroe, United States, 2008

One (1) dollar coin, James MonroeUnited States, 2008Obverse Image: Front facing portrait of James Monroe.Obverse Text: JAMES MONROE / 5TH PRESIDENT / 1817-1825Reverse Image: Statue of Liberty.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / $1 / E PLURIBUS UNUM / IN GOD WE TRUST / 2008 /
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar coin, James Monroe
United States, 2008
Obverse Image: Front facing portrait of James Monroe.
Obverse Text: JAMES MONROE / 5TH PRESIDENT / 1817-1825
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
2013.0157.032
accession number
2013.0157
catalog number
2013.0157.032

5 Kopeks, Elizabeth, Russia, 1757

One (1) 5 kopek coin, ElizabethRussia, 1757Obverse Image: Crowned imperial monogram of Elizabeth, surrounded by laurels.Obverse Text: 1757Reverse Image: Two intersecting anchors, scroll with text below.Reverse Text: ПЯТЬ / КОПѢЕКЪ
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 kopek coin, Elizabeth
Russia, 1757
Obverse Image: Crowned imperial monogram of Elizabeth, surrounded by laurels.
Obverse Text: 1757
Reverse Image: Two intersecting anchors, scroll with text below.
Reverse Text: ПЯТЬ / КОПѢЕКЪ
date made
1757
associated date
1757
head of government
Elizabeth
ID Number
NU.NU65213
accession number
240108
catalog number
NU65213

50 Cents, United States, 1891

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

2 Kopeks, Russia, 1760

date made
1760
ID Number
NU.NU65268.4
catalog number
NU65268.4
accession number
240108

1 Denga, Peter I, Russia, 1710

One (1) denga coin, Peter IRussia, 1710Obverse Image: Decorative border.Obverse Text: РОС / ИСКАД / ДEНГА / 1710 / МДReverse Image: Double-headed eagle wearing crown, holding orb and scepter in claws.Reverse Text: N/ABefore becoming Emperor of Russia in 1721, Peter I ruled as Tsa
Description (Brief)
One (1) denga coin, Peter I
Russia, 1710
Obverse Image: Decorative border.
Obverse Text: РОС / ИСКАД / ДEНГА / 1710 / МД
Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle wearing crown, holding orb and scepter in claws.
Reverse Text: N/A
Description
Before becoming Emperor of Russia in 1721, Peter I ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1682. This denga coin was equal to 1/2 kopeck or 1/200 ruble.
date made
1710
ruler
Peter I
ID Number
NU.NU61492
catalog number
NU61492
accession number
210914

1 Shilling, Kenya, 1989

One (1) shilling coinKenya, 1989Obverse Image: Head of the President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi facing right.Obverse Text: PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KENYA / DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOIReverse Image: Numerical denomination and Kenyan coat of arms.Reverse Text: REPUBLIC OF KENYA / 1989
Description (Brief)
One (1) shilling coin
Kenya, 1989
Obverse Image: Head of the President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi facing right.
Obverse Text: PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KENYA / DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOI
Reverse Image: Numerical denomination and Kenyan coat of arms.
Reverse Text: REPUBLIC OF KENYA / 1989 / 1 / ONE SHILLING / HARAMBEE
date made
1989
ID Number
2014.0198.06
accession number
2014.0198
catalog number
2014.0198.06

1 Sestertius, Rome, 54-68

One (1) sestertius coinRome, 54-68 ADObverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Emperor Nero wearing laurel crown.Obverse Text: NERO / CLAVD / CAESAR / AVG / GERTMTR PIMReverse Image: Seated Ceres with Annona (personification of grain).Reverse Text: ANNONA / AVGVSTI / CERES / SC
Description (Brief)
One (1) sestertius coin
Rome, 54-68 AD
Obverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Emperor Nero wearing laurel crown.
Obverse Text: NERO / CLAVD / CAESAR / AVG / GERTMTR PIM
Reverse Image: Seated Ceres with Annona (personification of grain).
Reverse Text: ANNONA / AVGVSTI / CERES / SC
date made
54 - 68
ID Number
2014.0016.027
catalog number
2014.0016.027
accession number
2014.0016
collector/donor number
202.032

1/3 Stater, Lydia, Greece, 7th Century BCE

Date made
mid-7th century
date made
7th - 6th century BCE
ID Number
NU.73.114.003
accession number
312055
catalog number
73.114.003

5 Ducats, Denmark, 1704

date made
1704
ID Number
NU.68.159.5136
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.5136

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