Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Bath Road
Swindon
SN1 4BA
tel: +44 (0)1793 466556
website: swindonmuseumandartgallery.org.uk
email: smag@swindon.gov.uk
Twitter: @MuseumandArt
Facebook: @MuseumandArtGallery
Instagram: swindon_museum_and_art_gallery
Contact details: Stefanie Vincent; Sophie Cummings
Date of visit: 20 June 2017
Nature and extent of collection
2000 pieces. Objects from archaeological archives within the Borough of Swindon.
Historic collections of British and none British currency (closed to new acquisitions).
Tokens and medals: Primarily (but not exclusively) with a Swindon connection. This collection should be carefully checked before acquiring any similar material to prevent duplication. This collection is closed to military medals which do not have local significance. Acquired material should be in good or very good condition. Material linked to a named individual from or connected to the Swindon area should be prioritised.
All numbers below are estimated
Iron Age coins: 6
Roman coins: 175
British coins: 314 (including the Wroughton Hoard)
British tokens: 258
European coins: 500, including examples from many countries.
Asian coins: 80
Middle Eastern coins: 5
African coins: 70
American coins: 85
Oceania: 20
Modern and paper money: No paper money identified in the collections to date. We have one credit/debit card a possibly some banking relate objects (cheque/bank books).
Medals (commemorative or military): 112 catalogued but approximately 100 additional non-military medals in the collection. Commemorative medal collection includes 2 related to the Capture of Portobello from 1739 and sporting medals such as Swindon Schools Athletic Association medals and Swindon Schools Senior Football League medals. Military medal collection includes World War One medals, a Prussian medal for the Battle of Prague, a Dutch army long service medal and medals related to the Crimean War and the Boer War.
Paranumismatica: We have examples of tickets, counters etc and some Jettons.
Specific strengths: British and World coinage; British tokens.
Library: Small collection of around 85 volumes.
Databases
Database used: MODES
Proportion of collection on database: All catalogued modern coins and a limited number of medals are on our database. Some hoards are currently in the process of being catalogued.
How much detail in database entries? This varies, but most records contain limited detail.
Are images incorporated? Around 150 coins have images with them – these are from a coin hoard.
Is the database accessible to the public? No.
Is the database publicly accessible online? No.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? We have some medals on temporary display, but no permanent materials.
Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes.
Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? No.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? We do not have a dedicated study facility, but we can provide space when needed. Any researchers wishing to view our collection should fill out an enquiry form on the collections section of our website: http://swindonmuseumandartgallery.org.uk/home/collections/
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes.
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? No – our local PAS Finds Liaison Officer does Museum visits, but we don’t do identifications outside of this.
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? No staff expertise; we have one volunteer who has been develoing some knowledge through working on our coin collection and attending some British Museum training sessions.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Our local Finds Liaison Officer Richard Henry is good source of info on archaeological coinage.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A
