National Numismatic Collection

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.

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
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
One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Paul IRussia, 1796Obverse Image: Portrait of Paul I facing right.Obverse Text: Б / M / ПABEAЂ/ I / IMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / C.L.F. / CПБ [Paul I the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / C.L.F.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern, Paul I
Russia, 1796
Obverse Image: Portrait of Paul I facing right.
Obverse Text: Б / M / ПABEAЂ/ I / IMП / ИCAMOД / BCEPOCC / C.L.F. / CПБ [Paul I the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia / C.L.F. / SPB]
Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle wearing a shield with a mounted figure (Saint George), surrounded by four crowned П (P for Paul).
Reverse Text: MOHETA / РƔБЛЬ / 1796 / IOДA / [coin / ruble / 1796 / year]
Description
This pattern ruble was minted in Russia in 1796 under Paul I. Paul I was Emperor of Russia from 1769 until his assassination in March of 1801.
date made
1796
head of government
Paul I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.NU83551
catalog number
NU83551
accession number
257688
One (1) 2 ruble coin, novodel, Catherine IRussia, 1726Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Catherine I.Obverse Text: ЕКАІЕРLНА / ІМПІЕРАТРІІІА / ІСАМОДЕРЖИЦА / RCБКОС [Catherine the Empress and Autocrat of all Russia]Reverse Image: Russian Empire coat-of-arms, a double-headed
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 ruble coin, novodel, Catherine I
Russia, 1726
Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Catherine I.
Obverse Text: ЕКАІЕРLНА / ІМПІЕРАТРІІІА / ІСАМОДЕРЖИЦА / RCБКОС [Catherine the Empress and Autocrat of all Russia]
Reverse Image: Russian Empire coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle grasping an orb and scepter in its talons.
Reverse Text: 1726 / МОНЕТА / НОВА / ДВА / РУБЛИ / СП / I I / P [Two rubles / 1726 / new coin]
Description
This 2 ruble novodel was minted in 1726 during the reign of Catherine I who ruled as Empress of Russia from 1725 to her death in 1727.
date made
1726
head of government
Catherine I
ID Number
NU.NU62723
accession number
228217
catalog number
NU62723
One (1) 50 kopek coin, Nicholas IIRussia, 1895Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicholas II facing left.Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 kopek coin, Nicholas II
Russia, 1895
Obverse Image: Portrait of Nicholas II facing left.
Obverse Text: Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС. [Nicholas II the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia]
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: 50 КОПѢЕКЪ 1895 Г.
Description
This coin worth 50 kopeks was struck in Russia in 1895, under Nicholas II who ruled from 1894-1917. Last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II was assassinated with his family by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918.
date made
1895
ruler
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.496
catalog number
68.263.496
accession number
281689
One (1) 12 ruble coin, Nicholas IRussia, 1840Obverse Image: N/AObverse Text: 9 ЗОЛ . 68 ДОЛ . ЧИСТОЙ УРАЛЬСКОЙ ПЛАТИНЫ / 12 / РУБЛЕЙ / НА СЕРЕБРО / 1840. / С.П.Б. [12 RUBLES TO THE SILVER / 1840 SPB / 9 ZLOT.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 12 ruble coin, Nicholas I
Russia, 1840
Obverse Image: N/A
Obverse Text: 9 ЗОЛ . 68 ДОЛ . ЧИСТОЙ УРАЛЬСКОЙ ПЛАТИНЫ / 12 / РУБЛЕЙ / НА СЕРЕБРО / 1840. / С.П.Б. [12 RUBLES TO THE SILVER / 1840 SPB / 9 ZLOT. / 68 SHARES OF PURE URAL PLATINUM]
Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a two-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: N/A
Description
Minted in Russia in 1840, this coin worth 12 rubles was issued during the reign of Nicholas I. Married to Charlotte (Alexandra Fedorovna) of Prussia, Nicholas I ruled from 1825 to his death on March 2, 1855. He led the Russian army unsuccessfully in the Crimean War, but helped defeat the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War (1828-29). Under his rule, the Russian Empire spanned over 7.7 million square miles.
date made
1840
ruler
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
issuing authority
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.69.128.242
catalog number
69.128.242
accession number
286473
One (1) 25 ruble coin, Nicholas IIRussia, 1896Obverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Nicholas II.Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / II / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕЦЪ / BCEPOCC.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 25 ruble coin, Nicholas II
Russia, 1896
Obverse Image: Left-facing portrait of Nicholas II.
Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / II / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕЦЪ / BCEPOCC. [Nicholas II the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia]
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: 2 ½ ИМПSPIБЯБ / 25 РУбЛSЙ 30 ЯОТОМЪ / 1896 Г. [Imperial 2 ½ / 25 rubles in gold / 1896]
Description
This pattern 25 ruble coin was struck in Russia during the reign of Nicholas II who ruled from 1894-1917. The last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II was assassinated with his family by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918.
date made
1896
head of government
Nicholas II Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.69.128.403
accession number
286473
catalog number
69.128.403
One (1) ruble coin, patternRussia, 1845Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Emperor Nicholas I.Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / I / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕПЪ / BCEPOCC.
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, pattern
Russia, 1845
Obverse Image: Right-facing portrait of Emperor Nicholas I.
Obverse Text: Б / M / NИКOЛАИ / I / ИМПЕРАТОРЪ / И / САМОДЕРКЕПЪ / BCEPOCC. [Nicholas I the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia]
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: ЧИСТАГО / CEPEБPA / 4 30ЛОТНИКА / 21 ДОЛЯ / 1845 [4 zlotn. / 21 shares of pure silver / 1845]
Description
Minted in Russia in 1845, this pattern ruble was issued during the reign of Nicholas I. Married to Charlotte (Alexandra Fedorovna) of Prussia, Nicholas I ruled from 1825 to his death on March 2, 1855. He led the Russian army unsuccessfully in the Crimean War, but helped defeat the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War (1828-29). Under his rule, the Russian Empire spanned over 7.7 million square miles.
date made
1845
head of government
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
issuing authority
Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
ID Number
NU.68.263.202
accession number
281689
catalog number
68.263.202
One (1) ruble coin, ConstantineRussia, 1825Obverse Image: Portrait of Constantine, facing right.Obverse Text: Б / М / КОНСТАНТІІНЂ / І / ИМІІ / И / САМ / ВСЕРОСС / 1825Reverse Image: Center the Russian coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle wearing a shield with a mounted figure (Sa
Description (Brief)
One (1) ruble coin, Constantine
Russia, 1825
Obverse Image: Portrait of Constantine, facing right.
Obverse Text: Б / М / КОНСТАНТІІНЂ / І / ИМІІ / И / САМ / ВСЕРОСС / 1825
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. There is a wreath encircling the eagle.
Reverse Text: 4 / 30 ЛОТН / 21 ДОЛЯ / РУБЛЬ / CПБ / ҶИСТАГО / СЕРЕБРА
Description
The Constantine Ruble is one of the rarest Russian coins. It depicts Russian Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich, who was expected to ascend to the throne in 1825. He never came to power, having relinquished his succession rights in 1823 due to his controversial marriage, and the coin never circulated.
date made
1825
associated date
1825
depicted
Constantine
ID Number
NU.68.263.68
accession number
281689
catalog number
68.263.68

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