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.

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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?