Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
University College London
Malet Place
London
WC1E 6BT
tel: +44 (0)20 7679 2884
website: www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie
email: Alice.Stevenson@ucl.ac.uk
Contact details: Alice Stevenson (Curator)
Date of visit: 17 November 2014
Nature and extent of collection
Our numismatic collection is represented by 562 records on our database. Some records relate to multiple objects so the total number of coins in the collection is likely to be much higher than 562. The Museum illustrates life in the Nile Valley from prehistory through the time of the pharaohs, the Ptolemaic, Roman and Coptic periods to the Islamic period.
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: More than 23
Roman coins: Yes - 75% of the numismatic records on the database is comprised of Roman coins. Most of them are Roman Imperial, overwhelmingly late 3rd century onwards in date and most likely to be from around 5 hoards, mainly of later 4th century date. We also have some Roman provincial coins.
European coins: Yes - we have some modern European coins in the collection. We also have strong representations of Byzantine, Vandalic, Islamic and Medieval Crusader states issues, as well as Roman provincial.
Asian coins: Yes
Middle Eastern coins: Yes
African coins: Yes
Medals (commemorative or military): 4
Other: 75-80 weights, mainly for English coins post-14th century; European medieval/early modern coin weights; a small (>1%) component of coin jewellery, largely incorporating ancient Greek, Roman Imperial and Islamic coins. Also significant are the c.50+ coin moulds, apparently of later Roman date.
Specific strengths: Roman coins.
Library: N/A
Databases
Database used: Adlib
Proportion of collection on database: 100%
How much detail in database entries? Basic information.
Are images incorporated? Yes – almost all are photographed.
Is the database accessible to the public? Yes, via the online database.
Is the database publicly accessible online? Yes: http://petriecat.museums.ucl.ac.uk/
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? No.
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, we have two temporary display cases.
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? No.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes - researchers can make appointments to work on objects in the gallery. We are closed every Monday to accommodate this.
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? We are not well-resourced to undertake such a service. With the British Museum so nearby and offering this service, members of the public are usually directed there, unless the enquiry is strongly linked to the collection.
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
