MONEY & MEDALS
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
tel: +44 (0)161 275 2634
web: www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/
email: [email protected]
Contact details: Keith Sugden
Tel: 0161 275 2661
Email: [email protected]
Date of visit: 11 March 2011
Nature and extent of collection
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 2,600
Roman coins (including provincial): 10,000
Byzantine coins: 1,200
British coins: 3,400 (British colonial 2,600 coins)
British tokens: 2,000
European coins: 18,700
Asian coins: 5,000
Middle Eastern coins: 200
African coins: 400 (mostly mediterranean)
American coins (USA and South America): 1,300
Oceania: See under colonial coins
Paper Money: 500 notes (mostly notgeld)
Medals: 3,000
Paranumismatica: 1,500 pieces
Other: - communion tokens 4,300
- Local Manchester collection 850 pieces
- Hoard material 2,300 coins (mostly Roman, incl. Alderley Edge hoard of 500-600 coins)
- Misc. 300 pieces
Library: has a numismatic library, which is growing
Specific strengths:
- ancient coins
- Manchester material
- British tokens
- communion tokens
Databases
Database used: KE EMu
Proportion of collection on database: 40,000 coins already on the database, roughly 60% of the entire collection
How much detail in database entries? This varies, but mostly minimal.
Are images incorporated? No
Is the database accessible to the public? By appointment.
Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? No
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes, the museum has a dedicated Money Gallery
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? Yes, eg ‘Lest We Forget’ – an exhibition of the Carter Preston material in the 2000s. But there is not really enough space to do much more than this.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes, in the Resource Centre
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes, available on request.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? Yes
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Yes
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Yes
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, for individuals and for museums in the northwest.
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house. If so, who, and in what areas?
Keith Sugden – generalist, ancient world
Phyllis Stoddart – medals
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Has good relations with BM Dept of Coins and Medals.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums?
Yes, already doing so, esp. in the northwest, where Keith is the only specialist numismatist.