Network
MONEY & MEDALS
The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum
Albert Square
Dundee
DD1 1DA
tel: +44 (0)1382 432380
website: www.mcmanus.co.uk
email: christina.donald@leisureandculturedundee.com
Contact details: Christina Donald
Date of visit: 16 October 2013
Nature and extent of collection
6,000 pieces. The Numismatics collection consists of some 6,000 objects relating to Dundee, Scotland, Britain and Europe, the Classical World, and other countries around the world. Examples include coins, trade tokens, communion tokens, and military medals. The classical collection, the ‘Paton Gloag collection’ is of particular note and is believed to be of national importance.
Future Collecting:
Active collecting will take place to add numismatic objects to the collection that provide context for the human history of Dundee, especially in a local context, but also in a national and international context where deemed appropriate. Active and passive collecting will be undertaken for the following categories:
• Coins
- Priority will be given to any Scottish mints currently not in the collection that would fill a gap in the collection.
- Examples of new coinage will be actively collected.
• Banknotes
- Examples of new banknotes will be actively collected.
• Tokens
• Seals
• Medals
• Medallions
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 60
Roman coins: 1,000
British coins: British = 150; Scottish = 50
British tokens: 2,000
European coins: 150
Asian coins: 750
Middle Eastern coins: 200
African coins: 10
American coins: 50
Oceania: 25
Modern and paper money: 220
Medals: 750
Paranumismatica: 65
Other: 550
Specific strengths: Local interest, Roman Imperial, Chinese.
Library: Around 100 volumes with specific strengths in Roman, Greek, English and World coinage. The library collection was recently updated by an intern working on numismatics.
Databases
Database used: Adlib.
Proportion of collection on database: 100%
How much detail in database entries? This varies from record to record.
Are images incorporated? Yes, around 10% of records include images.
Is the database accessible to the public? No.
Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? No, but selected images are available to view online: www.mcmanus.co.uk/content/collections/the-collection
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.
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? Not in the recent past.
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? This issue is currently under review.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? No.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Yes.
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.
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? Museums Galleries Scotland numismatics intern is now a curator, but does not have responsibility for the numismatics collections.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Yes, from other museums.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A