MONEY & MEDALS
World coinsTown Hall
High Street
Skipton
BD23 6RD
tel: +44 (0)1756 706407
website: Cravenmuseum.org
email: [email protected]
Contact details: Martin Wills
Date of visit: 9 October 2013
Nature and extent of collection
27,000 pieces. Mission statement:
“To collect, preserve and showcase the natural, cultural and artistic heritage of Craven in order to inspire, engage and involve the public. We aim to encourage learning and creativity through giving the people of Craven and beyond easy and open access to the museum and its resources.”
Areas of collecting: Archaeology, social history, geology, agricultural
All numbers below are estimated
Roman coins: 310
British coins: 1 early medieval (410-1066)
15 medieval (1066-1485)
629 modern (1660-present)
World coins: around 1800
British tokens: around 900
Commemorative medals: 78
Paper money: around 100
Specific strengths: Large collection of Roman and modern world coins.
Library: Wide range of local history books with a small amount of books relating to numismatics (four volumes). The library collection has specific strengths in archaeology and the local history of Craven.
Databases
Database used: Modes
Proportion of collection on database: 90%
How much detail in database entries? This depends on the object, but each entry gives as much information as possible.
Are images incorporated? Some of the more recently accessioned coins are complete with the object image. It is now standard practice in the museum to include an image when creating an entry. However, no retrospective image record process has been initiated.
Is the database accessible to the public? No.
Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? No.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No, but we do have coins on permanent display as part of our Roman, medieval etc displays.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes.
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes.
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? No.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? As part of requested research, yes.
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? Yes: looking at coins under microscopes.
ID and public enquiries
Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? Yes.
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, Museum Development Yorkshire and York Museums Trust.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes.