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 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 Drachm, Thessaly, 359 - 344 BCE

date made
359 - 344 BCE
ID Number
1999.0253.0010
accession number
1999.0253
catalog number
1999.0253.0010

1/2 Pound, England, 1567-1570

One (1) 1/2 pound coinEngland, 1567-1570Obverse Image: Queen Elizabeth I, wearing a crown, facing left.Obverse Text: ELIZABETH D.G. ANG FRA ET HIB REGINAReverse Image: Crowned shield with crest.Reverse Text: E / R / SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM
Description (Brief)
One (1) 1/2 pound coin
England, 1567-1570
Obverse Image: Queen Elizabeth I, wearing a crown, facing left.
Obverse Text: ELIZABETH D.G. ANG FRA ET HIB REGINA
Reverse Image: Crowned shield with crest.
Reverse Text: E / R / SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM
date made
1567 - 1570
issuing authority
Elizabeth I Queen of England
maker
Elizabeth I Queen of England
ID Number
2016.0056.015
accession number
2016.0056
catalog number
2016.0056.015

500 Rubles, Azerbaijan, 1920

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

Orange, SIM Card, Kenya, 21st Century

One (1) Orange SIM cardKenya, 21st Century
Description (Brief)
One (1) Orange SIM card
Kenya, 21st Century
date made
21st century
ID Number
2014.0198.09
accession number
2014.0198
catalog number
2014.0198.09

5 Pounds, Egypt, 1969

date made
1969
ID Number
NU.69.159.1
accession number
286183
catalog number
69.159.1
serial number
163

1 Yoshi Mame Ban, Japan, 1570 - 1580

One (1) yoshi mame ban coinJapan, 1570 - 1580
Description (Brief)
One (1) yoshi mame ban coin
Japan, 1570 - 1580
date made
1570 - 1580
ID Number
NU.18528.0015
accession number
18528
catalog number
18528.0015

1 Dollar, Federal Reserve Bank Note, United States, 1918

One (1) dollar noteUnited States, 1918Obverse Image: Portrait of George Washington.Obverse Text: ONE / NATIONAL CURRENCY / 1 / J-10 / SERIES OF 1918 / SECURED BY UNITED STATES CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS OR UNITED STATES ONE-YEAR GOLD NOTES, DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE U
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar note
United States, 1918
Obverse Image: Portrait of George Washington.
Obverse Text: ONE / NATIONAL CURRENCY / 1 / J-10 / SERIES OF 1918 / SECURED BY UNITED STATES CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS OR UNITED STATES ONE-YEAR GOLD NOTES, DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / J19276299A / C / C 99 / THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY MISSOURI WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND ONE DOLLAR / CASHIER / GOVERNOR / FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE / THESAUR / AMER / SEPTENT / SIGIL / AUTHORIZED BY THE ACTS OF DEC. 23, 1913, AND APRIL 23, 1918 / WASHINGTON / MAY 18, 1914
Reverse Image: A flying eagle clutching an American flag.
Reverse Text: ONE DOLLAR / NATIONAL CURRENCY / FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE / 1 / 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 COR-PORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT
date made
1918
depicted
Washington, George
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.78.5.777
catalog number
78.5.777
accession number
1978.0941
serial number
J19276299A

1 Dollar, Silver Certificate, United States, 1891

One (1) dollar noteUnited States, 1891Obverse Image: Portrait of Martha Washington at left.Obverse Text: 1 / ONE / SILVER CERTIFICATE / ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar note
United States, 1891
Obverse Image: Portrait of Martha Washington at left.
Obverse Text: 1 / ONE / SILVER CERTIFICATE / ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING. / THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAS BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES ONE SILVER DOLLAR PAYABLE TO BEARER ON DEMAND. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / E50087787 / 109 C / ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886. / SERIES 1891.
Reverse Image: Ornate design.
Reverse Text: 1 / ONE / UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE / ONE DOLLAR / THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED. / BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
date made
1891
depicted
Washington, Martha
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.78.5.552
catalog number
78.5.552
accession number
1978.0941
serial number
E50087787

5 Cents, Modified Coin, United States, 1935

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

1 Dollar, Ethiopia, ca 1945

date made
ca 1945
ID Number
NU.70.148.1
accession number
290452
catalog number
70.148.1
serial number
CH098519

1 Connecticut Copper, 1788

date made
1788
ID Number
1985.0491.0002
catalog number
1985.0491.0002
accession number
1985.0491

Bank of Americard, United States, 1977

date made
1977
maker
unknown
ID Number
NU.84.17.09
catalog number
84.17.09
accession number
1984.0606
serial number
270

Square Reader, United States, 2012

One (1) Square card readerUnited States, 20122014.0008.03a: Square Reader2014.0008.03b: HolderGeneral Information: Plastic, white cube with a slit on top, and a central metal stem on the bottom. The stem is inserted into the portable device.
Description (Brief)
One (1) Square card reader
United States, 2012
2014.0008.03a: Square Reader
2014.0008.03b: Holder
General Information: Plastic, white cube with a slit on top, and a central metal stem on the bottom. The stem is inserted into the portable device. The reader is packaged in a paper cover that wraps around the product top to bottom but is open at the sides.
Description
Electronic devices called payment dongles, such as the Square Reader, enable individuals and small businesses to accept payments from credit and debit cards via applications on smartphones and tablets. The dongle reads the magnetic stripes on credit and debit cards, and the application keeps a record of transactions. Payment dongles transform smartphones and tablets into portable cash registers.
date made
2012-02
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2014.0008.03
accession number
2014.0008
catalog number
2014.0008.03

University of Wisconsin, United States, 1904

One (1) University of Wisconsin medalUnited States, 1904
Description (Brief)
One (1) University of Wisconsin medal
United States, 1904
date made
1904
maker
Brenner, Victor David
ID Number
2015.0023.001
accession number
2015.0023
catalog number
2015.0023.001

20 Dollars, United States, 1849 (Utah-Mormon)

One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1849Obverse Image: Emblem of Mormon Priesthood: 3-pointed Phrygian Crown above all-seeing eye.Obverse Text: TO THE LORD HOLINESSReverse Image: Clasped hands.Reverse Text: G. S. L. C. P. G.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1849
Obverse Image: Emblem of Mormon Priesthood: 3-pointed Phrygian Crown above all-seeing eye.
Obverse Text: TO THE LORD HOLINESS
Reverse Image: Clasped hands.
Reverse Text: G. S. L. C. P. G. / TWENTY DOLLARS / 1849
Description
Not all of the California gold was turned into coins in California. Some of it went north, where it was minted into currency by the Oregon Exchange Company. And some of it went east, to Utah Territory, carried home by Mormon miners who left the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco for Salt Lake City.
On Brigham Young's orders, a mint was set up to turn the California dust into Utah coins. One of the prime movers in the new venture was a British convert named John Mobourn Kay. Kay forged the die blanks, engraved the dies, and, for good measure, helped in the selection of their designs.
The first Mormon coins, eagles, appeared in December 1848-the very first American pioneer coins struck west of the Mississippi. Other denominations were soon added. All of them, including the double eagle on display, have radical design concepts unseen before or since. The coin on display was among the first double eagles ever struck and circulated in the United States. The obverses of these coins bore the emblem of the Mormon Priesthood, a three-pointed crown above an All-Seeing eye. The reverse displayed clasped hands, joined in friendship and solidarity, the badge of a new people stressing unity and welcoming newcomers. Few of these early Utah coins have survived. Most were melted down in the early 1850s. The Smithsonian coin is one of the finest known.
date made
1849
mint
Mormon Mint
ID Number
1985.0441.2218
catalog number
1985.0441.2218
accession number
1985.0441

8 Escudos, Colombia, 1751

date made
1750 - 1751
associated date
1751
head of government
Ferdinand VI King of Spain
ID Number
NU.68.159.1313
catalog number
68.159.1313
accession number
283645

1 Dollar, United States, 1801-2

date made
1802
maker
U.S. Mint
ID Number
1985.0441.0074
catalog number
1985.0441.0074
accession number
1985.0441

1 Cent, United States, 1857

One (1) cent coinUnited States, 1857Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty with braided hair wearing a coronet. 13 stars along coin edge.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1857Reverse Image: Wreath.Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / ONE CENT
Description (Brief)
One (1) cent coin
United States, 1857
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty with braided hair wearing a coronet. 13 stars along coin edge.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1857
Reverse Image: Wreath.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / ONE CENT
date made
1857
mint
United States Mint
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
1985.0441.0548
catalog number
1985.0441.0548
accession number
1985.0441

5 Cents, Modified Coin, United States, 1937

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

1 Solidus, Byzantine Empire, 797 - 802

One (1) solidus coin, IreneByzantine Empire, 797 - 802Obverse Image: Portrait bust of Irene facing front, wearing crown and loros and holding a globus cruciger and cruciform scepter.Obverse Text: EIRINH / bASILISSHReverse Image: Portrait bust of Irene as on obverse.Reverse Text:
Description (Brief)
One (1) solidus coin, Irene
Byzantine Empire, 797 - 802
Obverse Image: Portrait bust of Irene facing front, wearing crown and loros and holding a globus cruciger and cruciform scepter.
Obverse Text: EIRINH / bASILISSH
Reverse Image: Portrait bust of Irene as on obverse.
Reverse Text: EIRINH / bASILISSH
date made
797 - 802
maker
Irene Empress of Byzantium
ID Number
NU.68.159.5823
catalog number
68.159.5823
accession number
283645

80 Drachm, Egypt, 51 - 30 BCE

date made
51 - 30 BCE
ID Number
2008.0108.0037
collector/donor number
CM164
catalog number
1979.1263.CM164
accession number
1979.1263

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 Dollar, United States, 2000

date made
2000
designer
Goodacre, Glenna
ID Number
2008.0108.0034
accession number
2008.0108
catalog number
2008.0108.0034

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