Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Station Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 6BT
tel: +44 (0)1539 815597
website: www.kendalmuseum.org.uk
email: morag.clement@kendal.ac.uk
Contact details: Morag Clement
Date of visit: TBA
Nature and extent of collection
3,500 pieces. The collection area covered by Kendal Museum is southern Cumbria, which incorporates the old counties of Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands. It also includes part of the Lake District National Park. The museum collects objects relating to archaeology, natural history, geology and social history.
Our Acquisitions policy states that:
The Museum will acquire archaeological material covering the Prehistoric, Roman, Dark Age, Medieval, and Post-Medieval periods. The Museum will acquire material representing human activity from the Medieval period to the present day, with regard to the development of Kendal and the former County of Westmorland
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 10
Roman coins: 800
British coins: 1,000 – from early medieval to 19th century
British tokens: 1 main collection comprising of almost 1000 items. Plus around 70 individually accessioned tokens.
European coins: A small collection
Asian coins: 30
Middle Eastern coins: A small collection
American coins: 20
Paper Money: 41 notes from many local as well as international banks
Medals: 70 accession numbers. (comprising between 1 and 24 items under each number)
Paranumismatica: A small collection
Other: A small collection
Specific strengths: Token collection comprising of local, national and international items, from the 17th to 19th centuries. Several Roman to medieval coin hoards acquired throught the Treasure process.
Library: No numismatic volumes.
Databases
Database used: MODES
Proportion of collection on database: All apart from recent acquisitions.
How much detail in database entries? This varies. Some records include details for all coins listed under each acquisition number, and some do not.
Are images incorporated? No.
Is the database accessible to the public? No.
Is the database publicly accessible online? No.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes - three small hoards are incorporated into the medieval displays.
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 - there is a workroom that can be used for study purposes.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? No.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? No.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? No.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Not at the moment, but hopefully they will in the future.
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? 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 - we are in contact with Professor David Shotter, Professor Emeritus, Lancaster University, who is an expert in Roman coinage. Also Dot Boughton, Finds Liaison Officer for the North West.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A
