Coins, Currency, and Medals - Overview
The Museum possesses one of the largest numismatic collections in the world. The collections include over 1 million objects, comprising coins, medals, decorations, and pieces of paper money. Among the many great rarities here are some of the world’s oldest coins, created 2,700 years ago. But the collection also includes the latest innovations in electronic monetary exchange, as well as beads, wampum, and other commodities once used as money. A special strength lies in artifacts that illustrate the development of money and medals in the United States. The American section includes many rare and significant coins, such as two of three known examples of the world's most valuable coin, the 1933 double eagle $20 gold piece.
"Coins, Currency, and Medals - Overview" showing 35 items.
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United States, Jefferson Indian Peace Medal, 1801
- Description
- United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Bust of Thomas Jefferson facing left. Reverse: Clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and hatchet above; PEACE/AND/FRIENDSHIP. This medal is hollow, consisting of two thin, embossed silver plates, one for each side of the medal. The two were held together by a silver ring, running around the entire circumference of the piece. The medal was created in this fashion because the United States Mint lacked a coining press strong enough to strike heavy, solid medals. This medal accompanied Lewis and Clark on their epochal journey West.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1801
- mint
- U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
- obverse engraver
- Scot, Robert
- reverse engraver
- Scot, Robert
- ID Number
- 1990.0466.0001
- catalog number
- 1990.0466.0001
- accession number
- 1990.0466
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Nobel Prize Medal in Chemistry for Edwin McMillan
- Description
- Edwin McMillan shared the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Glenn Seaborg. McMillan discovered element 93, or neptunium, in 1940 while working on the world's largest cyclotron at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Seaborg's discovery of element 94, or plutonium, was based on McMillan's discovery.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1961
- 1951
- original issue
- 1901
- recipient
- McMillan, Edwin M.
- issuing authority
- Nobel Foundation
- obverse designer
- Lindberg, Erik
- reverse designer
- Lindberg, Erik
- obverse engraver
- Lindberg, Erik
- reverse engraver
- Lindberg, Erik
- manufacturer
- MJV
- ID Number
- 1992.0538.0004
- catalog number
- 1992.0538.0004
- accession number
- 1992.0538
- catalog number
- 92.538.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Beard Token, Jeton
- Description
- This jeton or beard token was issued in 1705 by Peter I. Better known as Peter the Great and member of the Romanov dynasty, he Russia ruled from 1689-1725. Peter l founded Saint Petersburg in 1703, bringing Western culture to Orthodox Russia. In his new city, men were expected to shave their faces and wear western cloths. Anyone wishing to remain bearded had to pay a high tax and carry this token as proof. Obverse inscription: ДЕНГИ ВЗИТЬІ ("Money Collected"). Reverse inscription: АΨЕ ГОДУ ("Year 1705").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1705
- associated person
- Peter I
- ID Number
- NU*61634
- catalog number
- Nu*61634
- accession number
- 210914
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Peter I Uniface Medal, Jeton
- Description
- This jeton or personal token depicts Peter I of Russia. Wealthy individuals used tokens as calling cards, placing one in a tray beside the door of an establishment they visited. Better known as Peter the Great and member of the Romanov dynasty, Peter I ruled from 1689-1725. This copy of the original jeton is from 1911.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1911
- associated person
- Peter I
- ID Number
- NU*61646
- catalog number
- 210914.0676
- accession number
- 210914
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Nicholas I Death Medal, Jeton
- Description
- This jeton or medal was struck to honor of the death of Tsar Nicholas I who died on March 2, 1855. Death medals were struck to preserve the image and memory of a deceased ruler.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1855
- ID Number
- NU*66.288.22
- catalog number
- 66.288.22
- accession number
- 270424
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Germany Russia Alliance Token, Jeton
- Description
- This jeton or token commemorates the alliance between Germany and Russia in 1888. It was minted in Germany under Wilhelm I, German Kaiser and King of Prussia and Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894 and was affectionately known as The Peacemaker. Obverse inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III Emperor of Russia"). Reverse inscription: WILHELM DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN +9/3 1888. ("William, German Kaiser, King of Prussia").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1888
- associated person
- Wilhelm I
- Alexander III Emperor of Russia
- ID Number
- NU*68.21.204
- catalog number
- 68.21.204
- accession number
- 276536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Germany Russia Alliance Token, Jeton
- Description
- This token commemorates the Germany and Russia Alliance in 1888. It was minted in Germany under Frederich III, German Kaiser and King of Prussia and Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894 and was affectionately known as The Peacemaker. Obverse inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III Emperor of Russia"). Reverse inscription: FRIEDRICH DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN ("Frederick, German Kaiser, King of Prussia").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1888
- associated person
- Friedrich III King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany
- Alexander III Emperor of Russia
- ID Number
- NU*68.21.210
- catalog number
- 68.21.210
- accession number
- 276536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Germany Russia Alliance Token, Jeton
- Description
- This token commemorates the Germany and Russia Alliance in 1888. It was minted in Germany under Frederich III, German Kaiser and King of Prussia and Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894 and was affectionately known as The Peacemaker. Designed by Otto Oertel, bearing the obverse inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III Emperor of Russia”). Reverse inscription: FRIEDRICH DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN ("Frederick, German Kaiser, King of Prussia").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1888
- associated person
- Alexander III Emperor of Russia
- ID Number
- NU*68.21.212
- catalog number
- 68.21.212
- accession number
- 276536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Germany Russia Alliance Token, Jeton
- Description
- This token commemorates the Germany and Russia Alliance in 1888. It was minted in Germany under Frederich III, German Kaiser and King of Prussia and Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894 and was affectionately known as The Peacemaker. Designed by Otto Oertel bearing the obverse inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III Emperor of Russia”). Reverse inscription: FRIEDRICH DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN ("Frederick, German Kaiser, King of Prussia").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated person
- Alexander III Emperor of Russia
- Friedrich III King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany
- ID Number
- NU*68.21.213
- catalog number
- 68.21.213
- accession number
- 276536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Germany Russia Alliance Token, Jeton
- Description
- This token commemorates the Germany and Russia Alliance in 1888. It was minted in Germany under Wilhelm II, German Kaiser and King of Prussia and Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894 and was affectionately known as The Peacemaker. Obverse inscription: ALEXANDER III KAISER VON RUSSLAND ("Alexander III Emperor of Russia"). Reverse inscription: WILHELM II DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN +9/3 1888. ("Wilhelm II, German Kaiser, King of Prussia").
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1888
- associated person
- Wilhelm II King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany
- Alexander III Emperor of Russia
- ID Number
- NU*68.21.224
- catalog number
- 68.21.224
- accession number
- 276536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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