Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Wiltshire Museum
41 Long Street
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1NS
tel: +44 (0)1380 727369
website: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk
email: Lisa.Brown@wiltshireheritage.org.uk
Contact details: Lisa Brown
Date of visit: 21 June 2013
Nature and extent of collection
25,000 pieces. The collection consists chiefly of coins found in Wiltshire and coins which were either struck in Wiltshire or which refer to Wiltshire people, places or events. There is also a small general collection of Roman and English coins. The first group above includes coin hoards deposited between the Iron Age and 20th century, assemblages of coins from excavations of archaeological sites and stray finds of coins. The second group includes Saxon and Norman coins struck at Wiltshire mints; tokens of different types issued in Wiltshire from the 17th century; banknotes etc. issued by local banks and medallions
relating to the county. There are a number of unique items. The strength of the collection lies in the size of its collection of Iron Age coins, the scope of its collection of Wiltshire tokens, medallions and banknotes and, in provincial terms, the size of its
Roman coin collection.
All numbers below are estimated
Greek coins: 20
Iron Age coins: 250
Roman coins: 9,000
British coins: 165
British tokens: 800
Modern and paper money: 73 banknotes
Medals (commemorative or military): 250
Paranumismatica: Roman gaming counters
Other: Toys; 159 metal badges; 20 plastic badges; 2 cash registers; money boxes; cash boxes; cash canisters for tube systems (“cash railway”)
Specific strengths: Roman and archaeology collections; 17th Century trade tokens.
Library: Around 100 numismatic books with specific strengths in archaeology.
Databases
Database used: MODES Complete
Proportion of collection on database: 95%
How much detail in database entries? Spectrum standards.
Are images incorporated? Images are included in records for 26 of the more notable coins in our collection.
Is the database accessible to the public? Yes.
Is the database publicly accessible online? Yes, via our website.
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes, there is one hoards case in our Roman gallery and a display in our Iron Age Gallery.
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 specifically, but numismatics has been incorporated into exhibitions more generally, including an exhibition about the Portable Antiquities Scheme in 2012.
Access to the collection
Is there a study facility? Yes.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Yes, scales can be provided.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? Yes.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Yes.
Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Yes, especially hoards.
Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Yes - coin striking.
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? No but previous curator, Paul Robinson (retired) who has numismatics expertise is still involved in the Museum.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Paul Robinson; the British Museum.
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A