Contact details: Keith Sugden

Tel: 0161 275 2661

Email: keith.sugden@manchester.ac.uk

 

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.