MONEY & MEDALS
Contact details: Craig Barclay
Email: c.p.barclay @ durham.ac.uk
Date of visit: 17 March 2011
Nature and extent of collection
All numbers below are estimated:
Greek coins: Electrotypes; worn copper (ex-teaching collection)
Roman (including provincial) coins: Some Republican and imperial denarii (ex-teaching)
Byzantine coins: A few copper coins (ex-teaching collection)
British coins: Perhaps 6-10 medieval plus special collection (below)
British tokens: c.25 trade tokens
European coins: Some 19th century Portuguese and Moroccan fals
Asian coins: Far East c.2,600; India c.200
Middle Eastern coins: Very few dinars and dirhems
Paper Money: c.12
Medals: 4
Paranumismatica: Not much
Specific strengths: Chinese coins
Library: The Curator has a personal library of many numismatic books, but the University Library is also well-stocked numismatically and these can be borrowed by the Museum.
Databases
Database used: Adlib
Proportion of collection on database: 3716 records
How much detail in database entries? Skeletal records, Chinese coins complete.
Are images incorporated? Occasionally.
Is the database accessible to the public? Unknown
Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? Unknown
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, Palace Green Library
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? Unknown
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Unknown
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Unknown
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? Yes, curator's personal collection for teaching purposes.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Yes with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Archaeology, Museum Studies and Conservation.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures?
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Yes, the curator runs occasional workshops for metal detectorists and a bi-annual weekend course in numismatics for students working towards NAS Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Underwater and Foreshore Archaeology.
ID and public enquiries
Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? Unknown
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house. If so, who, and in what areas?
Craig Barclay – generalist, ancient world
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Unknown
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Unknown