MONEY & MEDALS
Hampton Court Palace
Easy Molesey
KT8 9AU
tel: +44 (0)203 166 4000
website: www.hrp.org.uk
email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Contact details: Megan Gooch;
Date of visit: 8 February 2016
Nature and extent of collection
350 pieces. Majority of coins are form archaeological excavations at the six sites in the care of Historic Royal Palaces (Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Hillsborough Castle). The remainder have been purchased either for display or for a dedicated handling collection where they have a connection to the buildings or give an insight into life at the palaces.
All numbers below are estimated
Roman coins: 142
British coins: around 120
British tokes: around 15
European coins: around 30
Asian coins: 1
Middle Eastern coins: 1
Modern and paper money: around 50
Medals (commemorative or military): 6
Paranumismatica: around 30
Specific strengths: Roman and British coinage.
Library: Our library is focused largely on historical and decorative arts. There is a small section on Tower mint and related topics. We have a few standard catalogues for British and world coins. The library collection has strengths in site specific books e.g. information on the Tower Mint.
Databases
Database used: Collections Management System (CMS)
Proportion of collection on database: 100%
How much detail in database entries? SPECTRUM minimum standard
Are images incorporated? Yes.
Is the database accessible to the public? No.
Is the database publicly accessible online? No.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes.
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? No.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? No.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? Yes.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Yes, for Key Stages 3-5
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? N/A
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Numismatics is sometimes used in family learning activities.
There are regular object handling stations at two palaces which feature numismatic material.
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? Yes, Megan Gooch in the Public Engagement Dept has numismatic expertise, but numismatic research is not part of her current role.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Yes – via the British Museum and the Money and Medals Network.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes, we would be happy to share knowledge.