Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
St Faith's Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1LH
tel: +44 (0)1622 602838
website: www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
email: clarecaless@maidstone.gov.uk
Contact details: Clare Caless
Date of visit: 8th May 2013
Nature and extent of collection
6,260 pieces. The collection features a wide range of numismatic material from around the world. Archaeological finds and commemorative medals reflect the local area but numerous countries of the world are also well represented. The collection also includes a large number of regimental medals from the Queen's Own West Kent Regiment Museum, many of which are on display.
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: A small collection, mostly Hellenistic
Iron Age coins: 334
Roman coins: 529
British coins: 355
British tokens: 3,161 including love, hop and trade tokens
European coins: Collection includes coins from Italy and Germany
Asian coins: Collection includes Chinese and Japanese coins
American coins: A small collection, including banknotes
Modern and paper money: 202 includiing objects from Russia and Canada
Medals: 1,132 including commemorative and service medals
Paranumismatica: A small collection including some gaming tokens
Other: the Ethography collection includes some shell money and the collection also includes Orange Free State Postal Orders.
Specific strengths: Ancient coinage, world coinage, British tokens and regimental medals.
Library: Around 100 books which specific strengths in medals and ancient coins.
Databases
Database used: Microsoft Access
Proportion of collection on database: 100%
How much detail in database entries? Accession number, object, description, metal, dimensions, image, location, donor.
Are images incorporated? Yes. Hundreds of records have images attached.
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? 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? There is a permanent regimental medal exhibition belonging to the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes, some equipment is available.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? There is a very small handling collection which includes Roman, Gerogian and Victorian pieces.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Sometimes.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Sometimes.
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Yes, but infrequently.
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? Yes, Duncan Pennock (a volunteer) has expertise with tokens and has strong knowledge of coinage.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Yes, Kent Numismatic Society.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes, willing to share expertise with other museums.
Image copyright Hufton & Crow