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) 5 dollar noteUnited States, 1864Obverse Image: At left, Christopher Columbus and men in sight of land. At right, an Indian Princess, representing America is being introduced to allegorical figures representing the Old World.Obverse Text: FIVE / NATIONAL CURRENCY.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar note
United States, 1864
Obverse Image: At left, Christopher Columbus and men in sight of land. At right, an Indian Princess, representing America is being introduced to allegorical figures representing the Old World.
Obverse Text: FIVE / NATIONAL CURRENCY. / L130449 / 5 / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES, DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON. / THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF WATKINS WILL PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND FIVE DOLLARS / WATKINS, NEW YORK / JUNE 2D. 1864. / CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK / ACT APPROVED FEB. 25. 1863 / 2637
Reverse Image: Scene of the Landing of Columbus.
Reverse Text: FIVE / 5 / NATIONAL CURRENCY / NEW YORK / EXCELSIOR / LANDING OF COLUMBUS 1492 / US / THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AND EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT / EVERY PERSON MAKING OR ENGRAVING OR AIDING TO MAKE OR ENGRAVE OR PASSING OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANY IMITATION OR ALTERATION OF THIS NOTE AND EVERY PERSON HAVING IN POSSESSION A PLATE OR IMPRESSION MADE IN IMITATION OF IT OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THAT ON WHICH THIS NOTE IS PRINTED IS BY ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 3D. 1864 GUILTY OF FELONY AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING FIFTEEN YEARS OR BOTH.
General Information: National Bank Note. First charter period.
date made
1864
issuing bank
Second National Bank of Watkins
maker
Continental Bank Note Company
ID Number
NU.79.112.CM0132
nonaccession number
19791263
accession number
1979.1263
catalog number
79.112.CM0132
serial number
L130449
collector/donor number
CM0132
One (1) 18K gold and diamond braceletUnited States, n.d.List of Individual Coins: 5 Dollars, United States, 1905; 10 Dollars, United States, 1906; 20 Dollars, United States, 1898 surrounded by 33 diamonds set in platinum; 10 Dollars, United States, 1895; 5 Dollars, United States,
Description (Brief)
One (1) 18K gold and diamond bracelet
United States, n.d.
List of Individual Coins: 5 Dollars, United States, 1905; 10 Dollars, United States, 1906; 20 Dollars, United States, 1898 surrounded by 33 diamonds set in platinum; 10 Dollars, United States, 1895; 5 Dollars, United States, 1882
General Information: All of the coins are set in a shell motif frame mount.
date made
20th century
maker
Webb, David
ID Number
NU.84.25.02
catalog number
84.25.02
accession number
1984.0603
Produced by Ephraim Brasher in New York City. Obverse: Sun rising over mountains; BRASHER below. Reverse: Crude eagle within continuous wreath; EB countermark on eagle's wing.
Description
Produced by Ephraim Brasher in New York City. Obverse: Sun rising over mountains; BRASHER below. Reverse: Crude eagle within continuous wreath; EB countermark on eagle's wing. Its existence apparently unknown until the beginning of the twentieth century, this unique coin was struck with the same pair of dies used to create the Brasher Doubloon.
Ephraim Brasher was a goldsmith, and his EB countermark also appeared on foreign gold coins of the day. It proclaimed that he had tested or assayed them and stood behind them.
date made
1787
obverse designer
Ephraim Brasher
reverse designer
Ephraim Brasher
obverse engraver
Ephraim Brasher
reverse engraver
Ephraim Brasher
ID Number
NU.68.159.1111
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1111
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 pin.
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 pin. Incorporating coins into jewelry may be used to signify monetary wealth.
date made
20th century
maker
Webb, David
ID Number
NU.84.25.03
catalog number
84.25.03
accession number
1984.0603
date made
ca 465 BCE
ID Number
1998.0329.0001
catalog number
1998.0329.0001
accession number
1998.0329
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
In the late 5th century in Syracuse, Greece, coin engraving was a master craft. This decadrachm was one of the largest denominations of silver coins minted in ancient Greece, which created more room for master engravers to display their artistic abilities.
Description
In the late 5th century in Syracuse, Greece, coin engraving was a master craft. This decadrachm was one of the largest denominations of silver coins minted in ancient Greece, which created more room for master engravers to display their artistic abilities. Engravers were very proud of the dies that they struck, and would often sign their coins just like artists sign their own works of art today. One such engraver during this time period, Kimon, is credited with designing this particular engraving. The reason that this specific coin is unsigned is unclear, though perhaps Kimon was dissatisfied with the end product, or the coin was struck by an apprentice closely copying the master engraver’s work.
The reverse of this decadrachm shows the head of the nymph Arethusa, daughter of Nereus, also known as “The Waterer.” In Greek mythology, Arethusa is said to have fled from her home in the mythical utopia of Arcadia through a below ground stream. In the myth, she emerges as a fresh water fountain on the Island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily. Arethusa's head is surrounded by dolphins. The obverse of the coin shows a man driving a carriage of four horses. Above him, Nike, the goddess of victory, crowns him victor. One interpretation of this coin is that it commemorates a battle victory over Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 413 B.C.
date made
late 5th century BCE
engraver
Euainetos
ID Number
NU.77.32.02
accession number
1978.0601
catalog number
77.32.02

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