Specific strengths: WW2 and Cold War military medals.

 

Library: N/A

 

 

Databases

 

Database used: Modes Complete.

 

Proportion of collection on database: 99%

 

How much detail in database entries? Medals: medal identified, name of recipient, brief physical description, most contain provenance information.

Currency: brief detail, currency inconsistently identified

 

Are images incorporated? Approximately 5% of medals have real images, though a previous system incorporated generic images of medal types into records for identification purposes.

 

Is the database accessible to the public? Not currently.

 

Is the database publicly accessible online? Not currently.

 

 

Display

 

Are there permanent numismatic displays? A permanent medals display dominates our Remembrance gallery.

 

Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes, medals illustrate displays on notable REME figures.

 

Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, a one room temporary exhibition space.

 

Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access to the collection

 

Is there a study facility? We maintain a reading room for research visits. Viewings by appointment only.

 

Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Equipment like gloves, rests and magnifying glasses can be provided on request.

 

 

Public engagement with numismatic collection

 

Is there a handling collection? Yes, a collection of un-provenanced and replica medals are used for handling.

 

Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Medals are used in Education programme’s ‘Heroes’ workshop for primary school students – students handle replica medals and view the real thing before designing their own.

 

Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Certain medals are featured in standard gallery tours as a way of discussing the work of key figures in REME history.

 

Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Not currently.

 

 

ID and public enquiries

 

Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? We occasionally provide an informal identification service.

 

 

Curatorial knowledge

 

Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? Our Vehicle Collections Manager has a personal interest in campaign and gallantry medals and can be a good source of information, especially for identification, but this is in an informal capacity.

 

Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Personal contact with other military museums helps us to gain knowledge on an informal basis regarding our medals collection.

 

If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes.