MONEY & MEDALS
43 Abbey Street
Armagh
BT61 7DY
Northern Ireland
tel: +44 (0)28 37523142
website: armaghpubliclibrary.arm.ac.uk
email: [email protected]
Contact details: Carol Conlin
Date of visit: 24-26 October 2016
Nature and extent of collection
1,394 pieces. Historic and locally significant collection of coins and medals belonging to Archbishop Richard Robinson. Collection is comprised mainly of Roman and Medieval coins which reflects Archbishop Robinson's collecting interests, but also feaures an unusal collection of sulphur cast copies of medals of Louis XIV.
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 1
Roman coins: Imperial: 391, Republic: 171 plus collection of 599 cast copies
British coins: 96
British tokens: 4 Armagh tokens
European coins: 23
Medals (commemorative or military): 109 sulphur cast copies of medals of Louis XIV from the Medallic History
Specific strengths: Roman coins. The Roman collection is comprised almost exclusively of Sestertii and Dupondii, perhaps reflective of Richard Robinson's own collecting interests.
Library: The library collection includes a number of significant numismatic-related volumes which would have been contemporary with the collection of coins and medals. The collection of copies of medals of Louis XIV is complemented by a copy of the 1702 edition of the Medallic History.
Databases
Database used: N/A
Proportion of collection on database: N/A
How much detail in database entries? N/A
Are images incorporated? N/A
Is the database accessible to the public? N/A
Is the database publicly accessible online? N/A
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes. A selection of coins and medals are displayed at No. 5 Vicars' Hill.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? No.
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes.
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? Yes, an exhibition entitled ‘Coins and Chronicles’ was held early in 2016. Website: http://armaghpubliclibrary.arm.ac.uk/wp/coins-and-chronicles-exhibition/
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? No.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? N/A
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? No.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Yes.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? No.
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? No.
ID and public enquiries
Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? No.
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? No.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Yes – Robert Heslip; Numismatic Society of Ireland (Northern Ireland Branch).
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A