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 Drachma, Aegina (Greece), 404 - 350 BCE

date made
404 - 350 BCE
ID Number
1992.0352.0267
catalog number
1992.0352.0267
accession number
1992.0352

Diners Club Eastern Section Credit Card, United States, 1959

date made
1959
maker
Diner's Club of America
ID Number
NU.72.66.42
catalog number
72.66.42
accession number
301409
serial number
2000

100 Dollars, Federal Reserve Note, United States, 1950

One (1) 100 dollar noteUnited States, 1950Obverse Image: Portrait of Benjamin Franklin.Obverse Text: FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / B00000001A / 7 / SERIES OF 1950 / THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AND IS REDEEMABLE IN LAWFUL MO
Description (Brief)
One (1) 100 dollar note
United States, 1950
Obverse Image: Portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
Obverse Text: FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / B00000001A / 7 / SERIES OF 1950 / THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AND IS REDEEMABLE IN LAWFUL MONEY AT THE UNITED STATES TREASURY, OR AT ANY FEDERAL RESERVE BANK / FRANKLIN / WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS / 100 / WASHINGTON.D.C. / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY / THE FEDERAL RESERVE / BANK OF NEW YORK / NEW YORK / 2 / A9
Reverse Image: Independence Hall in Pennsylvania.
Reserve Text: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS / 100 / INDEPENDENCE HALL
date made
1950
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.79.112.CM0337
accession number
1979.1263
catalog number
79.112.CM0337
collector/donor number
CM0337
serial number
B00000001A

60 Shillings, England, 1644

date made
1644
associated date
1644
head of government
Charles I
ID Number
NU.68.159.5373
catalog number
68.159.5373
accession number
283645

5 oz. Weight, United States

One (1) 5 oz. weightUnited States
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 oz. weight
United States
date made
n.d.
ID Number
2014.0016.014
accession number
2014.0016
catalog number
2014.0016.014

1 Denarius, Roman Republic, 44 BCE

One (1) denarius coinRoman Republic, 44 BCObverse Image: Right-facing image of Julius Caesar wearing laurel wreath.Obverse Text: DICT / PERPETVO / CAESARReverse Image: Standing figure holding small, winged Victory.Reverse Text: SEPVlLIVS / MACER
Description (Brief)
One (1) denarius coin
Roman Republic, 44 BC
Obverse Image: Right-facing image of Julius Caesar wearing laurel wreath.
Obverse Text: DICT / PERPETVO / CAESAR
Reverse Image: Standing figure holding small, winged Victory.
Reverse Text: SEPVlLIVS / MACER
date made
44 BCE
ID Number
2014.0016.026
accession number
2014.0016
catalog number
2014.0016.026
collector/donor number
415.163

Safaricom, Kenya, ca 2014

One (1) Safaricom penKenya, ca 2014
Description (Brief)
One (1) Safaricom pen
Kenya, ca 2014
date made
ca 2014
ID Number
2014.0198.11
accession number
2014.0198
catalog number
2014.0198.11

100,000 Drachma, Greece, 1944

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

20 Shillings, Kenya, 1975

date made
1975
ID Number
1986.0353.46
serial number
458837
accession number
1986.0353
catalog number
1986.0353.46

10 Dollars, United States, 1907

One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1907Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1907Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on top of a bundle of arrows and branch.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1907
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feather headdress, 13 stars along top edge of coin.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1907
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings folded standing on top of a bundle of arrows and branch.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / TEN DOLLARS
date made
1907
mint
United States Mint
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
ID Number
1979.1263.00805
catalog number
1979.1263.00805
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
04994

1 Denarius, Hadrian, Roman Empire, 117-138

date made
117 - 138
period of administration
0117 - 0138
head of government
Hadrian Emperor of Rome
ID Number
2002.0007.0606
collector/donor number
426-433
catalog number
2002.0007.0606
accession number
2002.0007

Ring Money, Egypt, about 15th century BCE

date made
15th century BCE
associated date
-1500
ID Number
1979.1263.00311
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
CM 311
catalog number
1979.1263.00311

Gold Nugget, Califronia, United States, 19th century

date made
19th century
ID Number
1979.1263.01099
catalog number
1979.1263.01099
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC3B

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

Wampum

date made
n.d.
ID Number
1979.1263.00501
catalog number
1979.1263.00501
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC124

1 Sestertius, Roman Empire, 64 - 68

date made
64 - 68
64-68 CE
ID Number
2002.0007.0234
catalog number
2002.0007.0234
accession number
2002.0007

Xiqui Handaxe, Mexico, 13th - 15th century

date made
13th - 15th century
ID Number
NU.79.112.OC053
accession number
1979.1263
catalog number
79.112.OC053
collector/donor number
OC053

Cowrie Shell

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
1979.1263.00557
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC157A
catalog number
79.112.OC157A

5 Dollars, National Bank Note, United States, 1864

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

5 Thalers, Brunskwick - New Luneburg, Germany, 1638

date made
1638
associated date
1638
ID Number
NU.NU50037
catalog number
NU50037
accession number
161590

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

Diners Club Credit Card, United States, 1953

date made
1953
maker
Diner's Club of America
ID Number
NU.72.66.8
catalog number
72.66.8
accession number
301409

25 Piastres, Egypt, 1955

date made
1955
ID Number
NU.66.27275
accession number
269138
catalog number
66.27275
serial number
24
416615

Illustrious Predecessor, Hard Times Token, United States, 1937

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 / EXPERIMENT / SUB TREASURY / 1837 / F
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 / EXPERIMENT / SUB TREASURY / 1837 / FISCAL AGENT
date made
1837
associated date
1837
ID Number
2001.0009.0640
catalog number
2001.0009.0640
accession number
2001.0009

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