British Museum Department of Coins and Medals

[1] The collection spans the history of coinage from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, and is representative of both Eastern and Western numismatic traditions.

Numismatics constituted an important part of the 1753 bequest of Sir Hans Sloane which formed the British Museum's original collection, comprising some 20,000 objects.

The department has benefited from the munificence of collectors such as Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode, Sarah Banks, Edward Hawkins, Sir Alexander Cunningham and George Bleazby.

This has enabled the museum to purchase important hoards of gold and silver coins, many of which were buried during periods of crisis or upheaval.

[4] The Department has a strong research history, which underpins publications (see, for example, the British Museum Catalogues of Coins), exhibitions[5] and other activities.