Network

MONEY & MEDALS

Laing Art Gallery

New Bridge Street

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 8AG

tel: +44 (0)191 2781611

website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk

email: info@laingartgallery.org.uk

Contact details: Sarah Richardson; Adam Bell

Date of visit: 27 June 2017

Nature and extent of collection

Extensive numismatic collection including large numbers of Roman coins, medieval coins and commemorative and art medals.

All numbers below are estimated

Roman coins: Yes - a large collection of of silver and copper alloy coins from both the Republican and Imperial periods. Collection also includes a small number of casts

British coins: Yes - a large collection

European coins: Yes, from countries including France, Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Germany and Belgium

Asian coins: Yes, including from China, Japan and India

African coins: Yes

American coins: Yes

Modern and paper money: Yes, including some world coinage

Medals (commemorative or military): Yes, many. Commemorative medal for the Opening of the King Edward Bridge over the Tyne, lection medals, royal visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a Battle of Jutland medal, locally relevant commemorative medals, and military medals. Collection also includes some French Art Deco medals by artists such as Coudray, Dupre, Deschamps etc.

Other: Large collection of Tsubas (Japanese sword handle guards) which are very medal-like

Specific strengths: Roman coins, world coinage, commemorative and art medals.

Library: N/A

Databases

Database used: EMU

Proportion of collection on database: The majority of the collection is catalogued.

How much detail in database entries? Good level of detail - material, dates, denomination, what is depicted etc.

Are images incorporated? Some records have images.

Is the database accessible to the public? N/A

Is the database publicly accessible online? Some object images are available online.

Display

Are there permanent numismatic displays? No.

Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? No.

Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, we have two changing display spaces.

Have there been numismatic exhibitions in the past? If so, what? N/A

Access to the collection

Is there a study facility? N/A

Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? N/A

Public engagement with numismatic collection

Is there a handling collection? N/A

Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? N/A

Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? N/A

Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? N/A

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? N/A

Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? N/A

If there is expertise in-house, is there a willingness/capacity to share that with other museums? N/A