Network
MONEY & MEDALS
Imperial War Museums
IWM London
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ
tel: +44 (0)20 7416 5000
website: www.iwm.org.uk
email: exfire@iwm.org.uk; munderwood@iwm.org.uk; ajeffreys@iwm.org.uk
Contact details: Maeve Underwood (Curator - Ephemera & War Currency collections); Alan Jeffreys (Senior Curator – Medals & Badge collections); Fergus Read (Head of Library)
Date of visit: 3 February 2014
Nature and extent of collection
Around 100,000 pieces. The purpsose of the IWM collection is to provide a unique record of the force of war and its impact on society and to enrich peoples understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and conflict.
Areas of collecting date from 1914 onwards with a military or wartime connection.
All numbers below are estimated
Modern and paper money: c.35400 paper money
c.2300 coins
Medals (commemorative or military): c.10000 medals (campaign, gallantry)
Paranumismatica: c.250 tokens (Currency collection)
Other: c.50000 badges; 10 money boxes (tank banks, etc.)
Specific strengths:
British & Commonwealth medals (from 1914 - )
Imperial German medals
Third Reich medals
British & Commonwealth badges (from 1914 -)
Imperial German badges
Third Reich badges
German ‘notgeld’ (First World War, Interwar)
Belgian emergency currency (First World War)
French emergency currency (First World War)
Japanese Invasion Money (Second World War)
Library:
IWM Library reference books.
IWM Exhibits Section reference books.
Specific strengths in British & Commonwealth military heraldry, medals and paper money.
Databases
Database used: Adlib
Proportion of collection on database:
Medals: 100%
War Currency: 100%
Badges: 50%
How much detail in database entries?
Medals: Mostly basic level inventory (object name, recipient name, description, associations)
War Currency: Mostly basic level inventory (name, description, associations)
Insignia: Basic level inventory (name, description, associations)
Are images incorporated? A very small number of images are linked to the object records in all three collections of Medals, Badges and War Currency.
Is the database accessible to the public? Yes, there is an online catalogue.
Is the database publicly accessible online? Yes: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search
Display
Are there permanent numismatic displays? Yes, in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes
(http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-london/lord-ashcroft-gallery)
Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes, a small number of medals, badges and currency are incorporated in the majority of our permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.
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? There isn’t a specific study facility but appointments can be made to view the collections.
Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? No.
Public engagement with numismatic collection
Is there a handling collection? No.
Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? yes: a few medals, badges and currency are used in education sessions.
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? N/A
Curatorial knowledge
Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? Yes: Alan Jeffreys, Senior Curator – Orders, Medals, Decorations, Badges; Maeve Underwood – War Currency.
Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Yes (contact IWM for more information).
If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? Yes.