Contact details: Dr Geoff Denford

Tel: 01962 848396

Email: museums@winchester.gov.uk

 

Date of visit: n/a

 

Nature and extent of collection:

 

Greek coins: 11 ancient Greek coins and 12 modern (19th century). No provenance: probably modern imports.

Iron Age coins: 35 coins, the majority from Winchester and its district but including 21 from Hengistbury Head, Dorset.

Roman (including provincial) coins: Some 2000 coins chiefly from Winchester and district, many from the museum’s archaeological excavations, many recorded as stray finds.

British coins: Some examples acquired by donation and other means in the course of the museum’s 150 year old history.

British tokens: Some 800 examples, including 209 17th century tokens and 435 18th century tokens.

Modern and Paper Money: Insignificant – one or two modern foreign notes.

Medals: 375 mainly British, many commemorating local Winchester events and personalities.

Paranumismatica: 335 jettons, mainly Anglo-Gallic, French and German.

 

Specific strengths: 155 coins struck at the late Saxon and medieval Winchester mint.

 

Library: In-house library of books relating to collecting areas i.e. archaeology, local history, art and numismatics.

 

Databases

Database used: Modes XML.

 

Proportion of collection on database: All of the collection.  

 

How much detail in database entries? Variable.

 

Are images incorporated?

 

Is the database accessible to the public? No, unless under supervision.

 

Is the database publicly accessible online? What is the URL if so? We do have an online collections site that features a small proportion of the total and which is growing: http://www.winchestermuseumcollections.org.uk/

 

 

Display

 

Are there permanent numismatic displays? No, not really, though coins are used in displays.

 

Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes.

 

Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, we have a temporary exhibition gallery, ‘City Space’ in the Winchester Discovery Centre.

 

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

 

 

Access to the collection

Is there a study facility? Yes.

 

Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? If required.

 

 

Public engagement with numismatic collection

 

Is there a handling collection? No.

 

Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Not really.

 

Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? No.

 

Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? We have done in the past: we have replica dies of a coin of William I that were used for coin-striking by members of the public.

 

 

ID and public enquiries

 

Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? Yes – and we have the Hampshire Finds Liaison Officer based in our museum.

 

 

Curatorial knowledge

 

Is there any numismatic expertise in-house. If so, who, and in what areas? Some, the FLO has expertise in identifying coins.

Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? The FLO has access to PAS finds advisors.