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