MONEY & MEDALS
Drake Circus
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AJ
tel: +44 (0)1752 304774
web: www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk
email: museum@plymouth.gov.uk
Contact details: Fiona Pitt MA AMA, Keeper of Human History
Tel: 01752 304774
Email: fiona.pitt@plymouth.gov.uk
Date of visit: 1 April 2011
Nature and extent of collection
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 60
Roman (including provincial) coins: 208 (+ c.150 recent acquisitions)
British coins: 814
British tokens: 1483 (including colonial tokens)
European coins: 914 'foreign' coins
Paper Money: 10
Medals: 51
Paranumismatica: Tram tokens
Other: Commonwealth - 813; Byzantine - 9; 5 coin weights
Specific strengths: W.R. Hooper collection of 17th century Devonshire tokens; Local medals relating to Plymouth
Library: small collection of reference material and catalogues relevant to the collection.
Databases
Database used: MOBYDOC Micromusee
Proportion of collection on database: 70%+
How much detail in database entries? Full
Are images incorporated? From 2010, yes.
Is the database accessible to the public? By appointment to researchers working in the museum.
Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? No
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes, as part of archaeological displays
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes, medals included in local history displays
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? No
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? None specific
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? By appointment and subject to available staff and space.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes, available on request.
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? Yes, as part of archaeology gallery talks.
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? 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?