Specific strengths: Mid 19th to early 20th century railway commemorative medals.

 

Library: We have the UK’s most comprehensive railway library which is comprised of 25,000 books. There are however only a handful of books that have been published relating to railway numismatics

 

 

Databases

 

Database used: Mimsy XG

 

Proportion of collection on database: 98%

 

How much detail in database entries? Description and name of recipient if applicable but little or no information about why medal was awarded.

 

Are images incorporated? All the medals have been photographed and we have recently begun to link the images to the database.

 

Is the database accessible to the public? Yes.

 

Is the database publicly accessible online? Yes: http://collectionsonline.nmsi.ac.uk/

 

 

Display

 

Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.

 

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, ‘Brave Railwaymen’ in 1988.

 

 

Access to the collection

 

Is there a study facility? Yes, we have a research centre called Search Engine.

 

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? No.

 

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, via Search Engine.

 

 

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? No.

 

If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A