MONEY & MEDALS
Royal Parade
Eastbourne
BN22 7AQ
tel: +44 (0)1323 410300
website: www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk
email: [email protected]
Contact details: Damian Etherington; Jo Seamon
Date of visit: 16 December 2014
Nature and extent of collection
Around 5000 pieces. The museum collects military medals associated with the Royal Sussex Regiment, Sussex Combined Services and those particularly associated with Eastbourne.
The coins in our collection come for local archaeological works.
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: Yes
Iron Age coins: Yes
Roman coins: More than 1500, including some hoards
European coins: Yes
Medals: More than 3000 - mostly military with some additional commemorative
Specific strengths: Military medals.
Library: A collection of 100-200 volumes of mainly military texts with mixed primary and secondary works.
Databases
Database used: MODES
Proportion of collection on database: 75%
How much detail in database entries? This varies from a good level of detail to very basic information.
Are images incorporated? Not yet but we plan to rectify this from now on.
Is the database accessible to the public? Not yet but we plan to change this soon.
Is the database publicly accessible online? No.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes.
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes.
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? Yes, standard military museum exhibitions.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? Not yet, but we intend to develop one.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Not yet, but we intend to change this.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Yes.
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Not yet, but we would like to change this.
ID and public enquiries
Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? Yes.
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? Yes – we have dedicated medal volunteers who work at the Redoubt twice a week.
We also have volunteers who work with our coin collection under the supervision of the Service manager at the Town Hall site.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Not currently.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes, our volunteers are keen and generous with their time.