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.

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

8 Escudos, Portugal, 1729

date made
1729
associated date
1729
ID Number
NU.68.159.5679
catalog number
68.159.5679
accession number
283645

5 Tomans, Persia, 1895 - 1896

date made
1895 - 1896
1895/6
associated date
1896
alternate calendar date
1314
ID Number
NU.68.159.5997
catalog number
68.159.5997
accession number
283645

Gold Ingot, Mexico, n.d.

date made
n.d.
ID Number
1984.1141.0003
accession number
1984.1141
1984.1141.0003

1 Oban, Japan, 1860

date made
1860
ID Number
NU.18528.0031
accession number
18528
catalog number
18528.0031
collector/donor number
3063
3063

BRAVO Credit Card, United States, 1996

date made
1996
ID Number
1996.0333.0011
catalog number
1996.0333.0011
accession number
1996.0333
serial number
0000

2 Kopeks, Russia, 1760

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

25 Pfennig Note, Bevern, Germany, 1921

Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers[[observe text]]NOTGELD DER GEMEINDE / BEVERN / 25 PFENNIG / 25 PFENNIG / AMTSBEZIRK BEVERN / DIESER SCHEIN VERLIERT SEINE GÜLTIGKEIT AM 31.DEZ.1921 / DER AMTSAUSSCHUSS / J.A.
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Description
[[observe text]]
NOTGELD DER GEMEINDE / BEVERN / 25 PFENNIG / 25 PFENNIG / AMTSBEZIRK BEVERN / DIESER SCHEIN VERLIERT SEINE GÜLTIGKEIT AM 31.DEZ.1921 / DER AMTSAUSSCHUSS / J.A. Reumann / [[signature]] / DER AMTSVORSTEHER / Tim [[signature]] / 3216
[[reverse text]]
25 PFENNIG / 25 PFENNIG / NOTGELD DER GEMEINDE / BEVERN
date made
1921
date on object
1921-12-31
ID Number
NU.NU59831.172
catalog number
NU59831.172
accession number
220791
serial number
3216

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 Grivna, Russia, 1740

One (1) grivna coinRussia, 1740Obverse Image: Crown above text.Obverse Text: ГРИВЕН / НИКЪ / 1740Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, holding an orb an scepter in each clawReverse Text: N/A
Description (Brief)
One (1) grivna coin
Russia, 1740
Obverse Image: Crown above text.
Obverse Text: ГРИВЕН / НИКЪ / 1740
Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, holding an orb an scepter in each claw
Reverse Text: N/A
date made
1740
ID Number
NU.NU62937
accession number
228217
catalog number
NU62937

25 Pfennig Note, Braunschweig, Germany, 1921

Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers[[obverse text]]25 PFENNIG / 25 PFENNIG / KRAFTVERKEHRSGESELLSCHAFT / M.B.H BRAUNSCHWEIG / (STAATLICH KOMMUNALER BETRIEB) / DIESER GUTSCHEIN WIRD AN DEN KASSEN / DER GESELLSCHAFT IN BRAUNSCHWEIG, BAD / HARZBURG, BRAUNLAGE, HAHNENKLEE U
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Description
[[obverse text]]
25 PFENNIG / 25 PFENNIG / KRAFTVERKEHRSGESELLSCHAFT / M.B.H BRAUNSCHWEIG / (STAATLICH KOMMUNALER BETRIEB) / DIESER GUTSCHEIN WIRD AN DEN KASSEN / DER GESELLSCHAFT IN BRAUNSCHWEIG, BAD / HARZBURG, BRAUNLAGE, HAHNENKLEE UND / WERNIGERODE BIS 1. JANUAR 1922 EINGELÖST / BRAUNSCHWEIG 1.JULI 1921 / DRUCKEREI APPELBANS, BRAUNSCHWEIG.
[[reverse text]
25 PFG. / DER WILDE MANN / F. JULLNER 21 / 25 PFG.
date made
1921
date on object
1921-07-01
ID Number
NU.NU59831.248
catalog number
NU59831.248
accession number
220791

10 Kopeks, Pattern, Catherine II, Russia, 1796

One (1) 10 kopek coin, pattern, Catherine IIRussia, 1796Obverse Image: Crowned initals. Ten dots.Obverse Text: E IIReverse Image: N/AReverse Text: 10 / ДЕСЯТЬ / КОПЂЕКЬ / 1796
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 kopek coin, pattern, Catherine II
Russia, 1796
Obverse Image: Crowned initals. Ten dots.
Obverse Text: E II
Reverse Image: N/A
Reverse Text: 10 / ДЕСЯТЬ / КОПЂЕКЬ / 1796
date made
1796
ruler
Catherine the Great
ID Number
NU.NU83528
catalog number
NU83528
accession number
257688
collector/donor number
GM 665

1 Denga, Catherine II, Russia, 1763

One (1) denga coin, Catherine IIRussia, 1763Obverse Image: Monogram within wreath.Obverse Text: ЕϨII / 1763Reverse Image: Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon below.Reverse Text: ДЕНГА / ПМMinted in Russia in 1763, this denga was issued under Catherine II, better known as
Description (Brief)
One (1) denga coin, Catherine II
Russia, 1763
Obverse Image: Monogram within wreath.
Obverse Text: ЕϨII / 1763
Reverse Image: Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon below.
Reverse Text: ДЕНГА / ПМ
Description
Minted in Russia in 1763, this denga was issued under Catherine II, better known as Catherine the Great. Born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, she changed her name to Ekaterina (Catherine) upon marrying Peter III on August 21, 1745. She went on to become Russia's longest ruling female leader ascending the throne in 1762, after Peter III's death, and ruling until 1796.
date made
1763
ruler
Catherine the Great
ID Number
NU.NU69995
catalog number
NU69995
accession number
245705

1/2 Poltina, Catherine II, Russia, 1790

One (1) 1/2 poltina coin, Catherine IIRussia, 1790Obverse Image: Bust of Catherine II facing right.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 1/2 poltina coin, Catherine II
Russia, 1790
Obverse Image: Bust of Catherine II facing right. Counterstamp.
Obverse Text: БМЕКАТНРИНА / I I / IMП / ИОАМОДВСКРОСС / СПБ
Reverse Image: Double-headed eagle wearing a crown, wings outspread, holding orb and scepter in claws.
Reverse Text: 1790 / ПОАᴕПОЛТИННИКЬ / Я / A
date made
1790
counterstamp
1783
date made
1783
ruler
Catherine the Great
ID Number
NU.NU77761
catalog number
NU77761
accession number
252180
collector/donor number
GM 551

5 Kopeks, Russia, 1727

One (1) 5 kopek coinRussia, 1727Obverse Image: Text inside a cross.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 kopek coin
Russia, 1727
Obverse Image: Text inside a cross. Double-headed eagle stamped in top left quadrant.
Obverse Text: ПѦТЬКОПѢЕКЪ / 1727 ГОДА
Reverse Image: Crowned double-headed eagle with wings outstretched within circle in center of coin, 5 dots outside of circle.
Reverse Text: N/A
date made
1727
associated date
1727
ID Number
NU.NU65004
accession number
240108
catalog number
NU65004

1 Ruble, Russia, 1770

date made
1770
associated date
1770
head of government
Catherine the Great
ID Number
NU.NU70177
accession number
245705
catalog number
NU70177

50 Pfennig Note, Querfurt, Germany, 1921

Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers[[obverse text]]50 / 50 / GUTSCHEIN DER STADT QUERFURT / IST GOTT FÜR UNS / WER MAG WIDER / UNS SEIN? / FÜNFZIG PFENNIG / DIESER GUTSCHEIN VER- / LIERT SEINE GÜLTIGKEIT / 1 MONAT NACH BE- / KANNTGABE IN DEN HIE- / SIGEN BLÄTTERN.
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Description
[[obverse text]]
50 / 50 / GUTSCHEIN DER STADT QUERFURT / IST GOTT FÜR UNS / WER MAG WIDER / UNS SEIN? / FÜNFZIG PFENNIG / DIESER GUTSCHEIN VER- / LIERT SEINE GÜLTIGKEIT / 1 MONAT NACH BE- / KANNTGABE IN DEN HIE- / SIGEN BLÄTTERN. / QUERFURT. AUGUST / 1921 / DER MAGISTRAT / [[SIGNATURE]] / BÜRGERMEISTER / DRUCK: J.A.SCHWARZ LINDENBERG /IALLGÄU.
[[reverse side]]
50 / 50 / ZU DÜRRENBERG WIRD SALZ GEKOCHT, ZU ARTEN AUCH UND KÖSEN, / ZU HEFTSTEDT KUPFERERZ GEPCKT UND SILBER AUFGELESEN. / UND AN DEM RAND DES QUERNEBACHS STEHT QUERFURTS BURG NOCH, / HEUT'GEN TAGS. BERÜHMTEN MARKT HAT DIESE / AUF IHRER ESELWIESE.
date made
1921
date on object
1921-08
ID Number
NU.NU45901.1
catalog number
NU45901.1
accession number
175975

1/2 Poltina, Russia, 1710

One (1) 1/2 poltina coinRussia, 1710Obverse Image: Left facing bust of Peter the Great wearing a laurel crown.Obverse Text: АЛЕѮІЕ ІІ / ИЧЋ / ЏР / ЏР / ПЕІРЋReverse Image: Double headed eagle with wings outstretched, crown between the two heads, an orb and scepter in each of its
Description (Brief)
One (1) 1/2 poltina coin
Russia, 1710
Obverse Image: Left facing bust of Peter the Great wearing a laurel crown.
Obverse Text: АЛЕѮІЕ ІІ / ИЧЋ / ЏР / ЏР / ПЕІРЋ
Reverse Image: Double headed eagle with wings outstretched, crown between the two heads, an orb and scepter in each of its claws.
Reverse Text: ПОАЋТИННІКЋ / 1710
Description
Before becoming Emperor of Russia in 1721, Peter I ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1682. This 1/2 poltina coin portrays him wearing a laurel crown.
date made
1710
ID Number
NU.NU61483
accession number
210914
catalog number
NU61483

1 Ruble, Russia, 1740

One (1) ruble coinRussia, 1740Obverse Image: Intersecting initials with a crown above.Obverse Text: ІОАННЬ ІІІ / Б / М / ІМПЕРАТ / ІСАМОДЕР/ ВСЕРОСС / СПБReverse Image: Crowned double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, shield on chest, clutching scepter (left) and orb (right)
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin
Russia, 1740
Obverse Image: Intersecting initials with a crown above.
Obverse Text: ІОАННЬ ІІІ / Б / М / ІМПЕРАТ / ІСАМОДЕР/ ВСЕРОСС / СПБ
Reverse Image: Crowned double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, shield on chest, clutching scepter (left) and orb (right) in talons.
Reverse Text: 1740 / МОНЕТА РƔБЛЬ
date made
1740
associated date
1740
ID Number
NU.NU65002
accession number
240108
catalog number
NU65002

1 Ruble, Russia, 1771

date made
1771
associated date
1771
head of government
Catherine the Great
ID Number
NU.NU70200.2
accession number
245705
catalog number
NU70200.2

50 Pfennig Note, Schwerin, Germany, 1922

Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers[[obverse text]][[image]] A street surrounded by houses with a direct view on a church tower [[/image]] 50 / PFENNIG / REUTERGELD / DER LANDESHAUPTSTADT / SCHWERIN'/M.[[reverse text]]FÜNFZIG PFENNIG / UND WER HIER GEHT UND DIES SIEHT U
Crowdsourcing
Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
Description
[[obverse text]]
[[image]] A street surrounded by houses with a direct view on a church tower [[/image]] 50 / PFENNIG / REUTERGELD / DER LANDESHAUPTSTADT / SCHWERIN'/M.
[[reverse text]]
FÜNFZIG PFENNIG / UND WER HIER GEHT UND DIES SIEHT UND / DANN NOCH HASS GEGEN SEINEN BRUDER IM / HERZEN TRÄGT, DE IS NICH WIRTH, DAT EM / SO'NE GOTTESGNADEN AEWERFAMEN / GÜLTIG IM GELDVERFEBR INNERHALB DES STADTGEBIETES BIS ZUM 31. MAI 1922 / RAT DER STADT SCHWERIN I.M. [[signature]] [[signature]] [[signature]] STADTV. VORSTEHER
date made
1922
ID Number
NU.NU45912.2
accession number
175975
catalog number
NU45912.2

1 Ruble, Pattern, Alexander I, Russia, 1801

One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Alexander IRussia, 1801Obverse Image: Portrait of Alexander I.Obverse Text: Б / M / AЛЕKCAHДPБI / ИMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / CПБ [Alexander the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / SPB]Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagl
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Alexander I
Russia, 1801
Obverse Image: Portrait of Alexander I.
Obverse Text: Б / M / AЛЕKCAHДPБI / ИMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / CПБ [Alexander the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / SPB]
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: 1801 / MOHETA / РУБЛЬ [1801 / ruble coin]
Description
This pattern ruble was minted in Russia in 1801 during the reign of Alexander I. Alexander I reigned from 1801 until his death in 1825. He ruled during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) during which time Russia acquired Finland and part of Poland.
date made
1801
head of government
Alexander I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.NU83663.3
catalog number
NU83663.3
accession number
257688

5 Kopeks, Peter III, Russia, 1762

One (1) 5 kopek coin, Peter IIIRussia, 1762Obverse Image: Crowned inital in center, decorative border around.Obverse Text: P / 3Reverse Image: Crown over text.Reverse Text: ПЯТЬ / КОПЂЕКЪ / 1762
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 kopek coin, Peter III
Russia, 1762
Obverse Image: Crowned inital in center, decorative border around.
Obverse Text: P / 3
Reverse Image: Crown over text.
Reverse Text: ПЯТЬ / КОПЂЕКЪ / 1762
date made
1762
ruler
Peter III Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.NU69963
catalog number
NU69963
accession number
245705

1 Ruble, Russia, 1730

One (1) ruble coin, pattern, AnnaRussia, 1730Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Anna of Russia.Obverse Text: БМ / АННЛ / ІМПРІЛІРИЏЛ / ІСЛМО / IL РLИЏЛ / ВСЕРОСИСКАЯReverse Image: Crowned, double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, shield on chest showing St.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Anna
Russia, 1730
Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Anna of Russia.
Obverse Text: БМ / АННЛ / ІМПРІЛІРИЏЛ / ІСЛМО / IL РLИЏЛ / ВСЕРОСИСКАЯ
Reverse Image: Crowned, double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, shield on chest showing St. George on horseback, holding orb (right talon) and scepter (left talon), stars around edge.
Reverse Text: МОНЕТА / РƔБЛЬ / 1730
Description
Minted in 1730, this pattern ruble depicts Anna, Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740.
date made
1730
associated date
1730
head of government
Anna
ID Number
NU.NU62857
accession number
228217
catalog number
NU62857

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