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.

8 Reales, Bolivia, 1626

date made
1626
ruler
Philip IV
ID Number
NU.75.68.018
accession number
320710
catalog number
75.68.018

1 Dollar, Brunei, 2011

One (1) dollar noteBrunei, 2011Obverse Image: A Simpor Bini (Dillenia suffruticosa) flower, Sultan Hassan al-Bolkiah in military uniform and Brunei's Coat of Arms.Obverse Text: NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM / WANG KERTAS INI SAM DIPERLAKUKAN DENGAN NILAI / SATU RINGGIT / BUNGA SIMPUR
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar note
Brunei, 2011
Obverse Image: A Simpor Bini (Dillenia suffruticosa) flower, Sultan Hassan al-Bolkiah in military uniform and Brunei's Coat of Arms.
Obverse Text: NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM / WANG KERTAS INI SAM DIPERLAKUKAN DENGAN NILAI / SATU RINGGIT / BUNGA SIMPUR (DILLENIA SUFFRUTICOSA / SULTAIN / $1 / D2759663
Reverse Image: Aerial view of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Reverse Text: ONE DOLLAR / $1 / 2011
date made
2011
ID Number
2014.0252.1
catalog number
2014.0252.1
accession number
2014.0252
serial number
D2759663

1 Tetradrachm, Demareteion Master, Syracuse, 465 BCE

date made
465 BCE
ID Number
1998.0329.0002
catalog number
1998.0329.0002
accession number
1998.0329

Rai Stone, Yap, 20th century

This stone ring is money from the Pacific island of Yap. It weighs 168.5 pounds and is not intended to circulate like a coin. Instead its use has been reserved for significant or ceremonial payments, such as dowries.
Description
This stone ring is money from the Pacific island of Yap. It weighs 168.5 pounds and is not intended to circulate like a coin. Instead its use has been reserved for significant or ceremonial payments, such as dowries. The stone ring has also represented accumulated wealth and conveyed social status. Some stone rings are so large and heavy that they cannot be moved, but changes in ownership of the rings are acknowledged by the community on Yap.
date made
20th century
ID Number
1979.1263.00428
catalog number
1979.1263.00428
accession number
1979.1263

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

5 Pounds "Una and the Lion," Great Britain, 1839

date made
1839
head of government
Victoria Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India
ID Number
NU.68.159.5426
catalog number
68.159.5426
accession number
283645

20 Won, Korea, 1906

One (1) 20 won coin, Kuang MuKorea, 1906Obverse Image: Curled dragon within circle.Obverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]Reverse Image: Text within wreath with cherry blossom on top and bow below.Reverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 won coin, Kuang Mu
Korea, 1906
Obverse Image: Curled dragon within circle.
Obverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]
Reverse Image: Text within wreath with cherry blossom on top and bow below.
Reverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]
date made
1906
associated date
1906
ID Number
NU.68.159.5799
catalog number
68.159.5799
accession number
283645

5 Dollars, Singapore, 2007

One (1) 5 dollar polymer noteSingapore, 2007Obverse Image: President Yusof bin Ishak and a gold-ringed cowrie.Obverse Text: SINGAPURA / SINGAPORE / 5 / FIVE DOLLARS / THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER / FIVE DOLLARS / CHAIRMAN MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE / SINGAPORE / 2EG089583Revers
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar polymer note
Singapore, 2007
Obverse Image: President Yusof bin Ishak and a gold-ringed cowrie.
Obverse Text: SINGAPURA / SINGAPORE / 5 / FIVE DOLLARS / THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER / FIVE DOLLARS / CHAIRMAN MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE / SINGAPORE / 2EG089583
Reverse Image: Trees and flowers from Garden City.
Reverse Text: SINGAPORE / GARDEN CITY
date made
2007
ID Number
2014.0252.2
accession number
2014.0252
catalog number
2014.0252.2
serial number
2EG089583

Mastercharge Credit Card, United States, 1978

date made
1978
maker
MasterCard Worldwide
ID Number
NU.84.17.21
catalog number
84.17.21
accession number
1984.0606
serial number
843

1 Oban, Japan, 16th century

One (1) oban coin, UzurihaJapan, 16th centuryObverse Image: N/AObverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]Reverse Image: N/AReverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]General Information: Value 5 tael
Description (Brief)
One (1) oban coin, Uzuriha
Japan, 16th century
Obverse Image: N/A
Obverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]
Reverse Image: N/A
Reverse Text: [NEEDS TRANSLATION]
General Information: Value 5 tael
date made
16th century
ID Number
NU.18528.0022
accession number
18528
catalog number
18528.0022
collector/donor number
3055

1 Shekel

date made
66 - 70
associated date
66 - 70
alternate calendar date
0002
ID Number
1979.1263.CM265
catalog number
1979.1263.CM265
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
CM265

Tiger Tongue Money, Laos, 19th Century

date made
19th century
ID Number
1979.1263.00700
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC043A
catalog number
79.112.OC43A

Hollow-Handle Spade, China, 400 BCE

One (1) hollow-handle spade money (Pu coin), Zhou KingdomChina, 400 BCEObverse Image: Seal character with three perpendicular lines.Obverse Text: Romanization: MOU (Translation: Marquis)Reverse Image: Three perpendicular lines.Reverse Text: N/A
Description (Brief)
One (1) hollow-handle spade money (Pu coin), Zhou Kingdom
China, 400 BCE
Obverse Image: Seal character with three perpendicular lines.
Obverse Text: Romanization: MOU (Translation: Marquis)
Reverse Image: Three perpendicular lines.
Reverse Text: N/A
date made
400 BCE
ID Number
NU.32055.25
catalog number
32055.25
accession number
32055

Akan Gold Weight

These brass weights were used by the Akan people of modern day Ghana and the Ivory Coast for measuring gold dust between the late thirteenth and early twentieth centuries. They were cast into geometric shapes and figures of animals and people.
Description
These brass weights were used by the Akan people of modern day Ghana and the Ivory Coast for measuring gold dust between the late thirteenth and early twentieth centuries. They were cast into geometric shapes and figures of animals and people. These weights set a standard for measuring gold dust and made it easier to use gold dust as currency. The weights’ varied forms reflect Akan culture as well as cultural interaction between West African, North African, and European traders over five centuries.
date made
19th century
ID Number
NU.77.38.022
catalog number
77.38.022
accession number
1977.1211

1 Sovereign, England, 1558-1603

date made
1558 - 1603
head of government
Elizabeth I Queen of England
ID Number
2001.0009.0500
accession number
2001.0009
catalog number
2001.0009.0500

100 Ducats, Poland, 1621

date made
1621
associated date
1621
ID Number
NU.68.159.5635
catalog number
68.159.5635
accession number
283645

1 Stater, Corinth, 350 - 338 BCE

One (1) stater coinCorinth, 350-338 BCEObvers Image: Portrait of the goddess Athena wearing a helmet.Obverse Text: N/AReverse Image: A pegasus.Reverse Text: N/A
Description (Brief)
One (1) stater coin
Corinth, 350-338 BCE
Obvers Image: Portrait of the goddess Athena wearing a helmet.
Obverse Text: N/A
Reverse Image: A pegasus.
Reverse Text: N/A
date made
350 - 338 BCE
associated date
-0350 - -0338
ID Number
2015.0023.002
accession number
2015.0023
catalog number
2015.0023.002

10 Dollars, Silver Certificate, United States, 1878

One (1) 10 dollar noteUnited States, 1878Obverse Image: Portrait of Robert Morris.Obverse Text: 10 / CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT / THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE U.S. AT WASHINGTON, D.C.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar note
United States, 1878
Obverse Image: Portrait of Robert Morris.
Obverse Text: 10 / CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT / THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE U.S. AT WASHINGTON, D.C. PAYABLE AT HIS OFFICE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TEN SILVER DOLLARS / COUNTERSIGNED / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / ASSISTANT TREASURER U.S. / A12509 / A / ACT OF FEBRUARY 28TH 1878 / X / TEN / ROBERT MORRIS / ENGRAVED & PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
Reverse Image: "SILVER" surrounded by decorative border.
Reverse Text: SILVER / 10 / TEN DOLLARS / UNITED STATES / CERTIFICATE / THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES, AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED. / ENGRAVED & PRINTED AT THE BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING.
date made
1878
depicted
Morris, Robert
maker
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
ID Number
NU.78.5.603
accession number
1978.0941
catalog number
78.5.603
serial number
A12509

United States Coin Pin, United States, New York, 20th century

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

8 Escudos, Peru, 1708

date made
1708
associated date
1708
head of government
Philip V King of Spain
ID Number
NU.68.159.1480
catalog number
68.159.1480
accession number
283645

1 Decadrachm, Syracus, Sicily, 465 BCE

date made
ca 465 BCE
ID Number
1998.0329.0001
catalog number
1998.0329.0001
accession number
1998.0329

United States Coin Necklace, United States, 20th Century

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

1,000 Kwacha, Zambia, 2011

One (1) 1,000 kwacha polymer noteZambia, 2011Obverse Image: A fish eagle facing left, on the right side of the note.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 1,000 kwacha polymer note
Zambia, 2011
Obverse Image: A fish eagle facing left, on the right side of the note. A tree in the center.
Obverse Text: K1000 / BANK OF ZAMBIA / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND ONE THOUSAND KWACHA FOR THE BANK OF ZAMBIA / ZAMBIA 2011 / EP/03 7923619
Reverse Image: A aardvark on the left hand side. Man on tractor in a field in center. Chainbreaker Statue on the right.
Reverse Text: K1000 / BANK OF ZAMBIA / ONE THOUSAND KWACHA
date made
2011
ID Number
2014.0255.01
accession number
2014.0255
catalog number
2014.0255.01
serial number
EP/03 7923619

Katanga Cross, Baluba, Belgian Congo, n.d.

date made
n.d.
ID Number
NU.77.38.046
catalog number
77.38.046
accession number
1977.1211

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