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The Numismatics Portal

Electrum coin from Ephesus, 520-500 BCE. Obverse: Forepart of stag. Reverse: Square incuse punch
Electrum coin from Ephesus, 520-500 BCE. Obverse: Forepart of stag. Reverse: Square incuse punch

Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals and related objects.

Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other means of payment used to resolve debts and exchange goods.

The earliest forms of money used by people are categorised by collectors as "odd and curious", but the use of other goods in barter exchange is excluded, even where used as a circulating currency (e.g., cigarettes or instant noodles in prison). As an example, the Kyrgyz people used horses as the principal currency unit, and gave small change in lambskins; the lambskins may be suitable for numismatic study, but the horses are not.[dubious – discuss] Many objects have been used for centuries, such as cowry shells, precious metals, cocoa beans, large stones, and gems. (Full article...)

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  • Image 1 The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge half dollar or Bay Bridge half dollar is a commemorative fifty-cent piece struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1936. One of many commemoratives issued that year, it was designed by Jacques Schnier and honors the opening of the Bay Bridge that November. One side of the coin depicts a grizzly bear, a symbol of California, and the other shows the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, with the Ferry Building in the foreground. Competing bills were considered by Congress in 1936: one to mark the Bay Bridge
  • Image 2 The Washington quarter is the present quarter dollar or 25-cent piece issued by the United States Mint. The coin was first struck in 1932; the original version was designed by sculptor John Flanagan. As the United States prepared to celebrate the 1932 bicentennial of the birth of its first president, George Washington, members of the bicentennial committee established by Congress sought a Washington half dollar. They wanted to displace for that year only the regular issue Walking Liberty half dollar; instead Congress permanently replaced the Standing Liberty quarter, requiring that a depiction of Washington appear on the obverse of the new coin. The committee had engaged sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser to design a commemorative medal, and wanted her to adapt her design for the quarter. Although Fraser
  • Image 3 The California Pacific International Exposition half dollar, sometimes called the California Pacific half dollar or the San Diego half dollar, is a commemorative fifty-cent piece struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1935 and 1936. Robert I. Aitken designed the coin. Its obverse depicts Minerva and other elements of the Seal of California; the reverse shows buildings from the California Pacific International Exposition (held 1935–1936), which the coin was issued to honor. Legislation for the half dollar moved through Congress without opposition in early 1935, and Aitken was hired to design it. Once his creation was approved, the San Francisco Mint produced 250,000 coins, but expected sales did not materialize. Left with more than 180,000 pieces they could not sell, the Exposition Commission went back to Congress for further legislation so it could return the unsold pieces and have new coins, dated 1936, hoping for greater sales in the second year of the fair
  • A 1936 George V penny
    A 1936 George V penny
  • Image 5 The Louisiana Purchase Exposition gold dollar is a commemorative coin issue dated 1903. Struck in two varieties, the coins were designed by United States Bureau of the Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber. The pieces were issued to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in 1904 in St. Louis; one variety depicted former president Thomas Jefferson, and the other, the recently assassinated president William McKinley. Although not the first American commemorative coins, they were the first in gold. Promoters of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, originally scheduled to open in 1903, sought a commemorative coin for fundraising purposes. Congress authorized an issue in 1902, and exposition authorities, including numismatic promoter Farran Zerbe, sought to have the coin issued with two designs, to aid sales. The price for each variety was $3, the same cost whether sold as a coin, or mounted in jewelry or on a spoon. (Full article...)
  • Image 6 The Roosevelt dime is the current dime, or ten-cent piece, of the United States. Struck by the United States Mint continuously since 1946, it displays President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse and was authorized soon after his death in 1945. Roosevelt had been stricken with polio, and was one of the moving forces of the March of Dimes. The ten-cent coin could be changed by the Mint without the need for congressional action, and officials moved quickly to replace the Mercury dime. Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock prepared models, but faced repeated criticism from the Commission of Fine Arts. He modified his design in response, and the coin went into circulation in January 1946. (Full article...)
  • Image 7 The Seated Liberty dollar was a dollar coin struck by the United States Mint from 1840 to 1873 and designed by its chief engraver, Christian Gobrecht. It was the last silver coin of that denomination to be struck before passage of the Coinage Act of 1873, which temporarily ended production of the silver dollar for American commerce. The coin
  • Image 8 The Grant Memorial coinage are a gold dollar and silver half dollar struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1922 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ulysses S. Grant, a leading Union general during the American Civil War and later the 18th president of the United States. The two coins are identical in design and were sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. The Ulysses S. Grant Centenary Memorial Association, also called the Grant Commission, wanted to sell 200,000 gold dollars to be able to finance multiple projects in the areas of Grant
  • Image 9 The Morgan dollar is a United States dollar coin minted from 1878 to 1904, in 1921, and beginning again in 2021. It was the first standard silver dollar minted since the passage of the Coinage Act of 1873, which ended the free coining of silver and the production of the previous design, the Seated Liberty dollar. It contained 412.5 grains of 90% pure silver (or 371.25 gr = 24.056 g = 0.7735 oz t of pure silver). The coin is named after its designer, United States Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. The obverse depicts a profile portrait representing Liberty, modeled by Anna Willess Williams, while the reverse depicts an eagle with wings outstretched. The mint mark, if present, appears on the reverse above between D and O in "Dollar". The dollar was authorized by the Bland–Allison Act. Following the passage of the 1873 act, mining interests lobbied to restore free silver, which would require the Mint to accept all silver presented to it and return it, struck into coin. Instead, the Bland–Allison Act was passed, which required the Treasury to purchase between two and four million dollars
  • Image 10 The gold dollar or gold one-dollar piece is a gold coin that was struck as a regular issue by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1849 to 1889. The coin had three types over its lifetime, all designed by Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. The Type 1 issue has the smallest diameter (0.5 inch =12.7mm) of any United States coin minted to date. A gold dollar coin had been proposed several times in the 1830s and 1840s, but was not initially adopted. Congress was finally galvanized into action by the increased supply of bullion caused by the California gold rush, and in 1849 authorized a gold dollar. In its early years, silver coins were being hoarded or exported, and the gold dollar found a ready place in commerce. Silver again circulated after Congress in 1853 required that new coins of that metal be made lighter, and the gold dollar became a rarity in commerce even before federal coins vanished from circulation because of the economic disruption caused by the American Civil War. (Full article...)
  • Image 11Mehl c. 1950Benjamin Maximillian Mehl (November 5, 1884 – September 28, 1957), usually known as B. Max Mehl, was an American dealer in coins, selling them for over half a century. The most prominent dealer in the United States, through much of the first half of the 20th century, he is credited with helping to expand the appeal of coin collecting from a hobby for the wealthy to one enjoyed by many.Mehl was born in Congress Poland, which was part of the Russian Empire. His family brought him to what is now Lithuania, and then to the United States, settling in Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived for almost all of his adult life. While still a teenager, he began to sell coins, which he had previously collected. Joining the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in 1903 at age 18, he quickly became a full-time coin dealer, and by 1910 was one of the most well-known in the country. (Full article...)
    Max Mehl.jpeg
    Mehl c. 1950

    Benjamin Maximillian Mehl (November 5, 1884 – September 28, 1957), usually known as B. Max Mehl, was an American dealer in coins, selling them for over half a century. The most prominent dealer in the United States, through much of the first half of the 20th century, he is credited with helping to expand the appeal of coin collecting from a hobby for the wealthy to one enjoyed by many.

    Mehl was born in Congress Poland, which was part of the Russian Empire. His family brought him to what is now Lithuania, and then to the United States, settling in Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived for almost all of his adult life. While still a teenager, he began to sell coins, which he had previously collected. Joining the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in 1903 at age 18, he quickly became a full-time coin dealer, and by 1910 was one of the most well-known in the country. (Full article...)
  • Image 12 The Liberty Head double eagle or Coronet double eagle is an American twenty-dollar gold piece struck as a pattern coin in 1849, and for commerce from 1850 to 1907. It was designed by Mint of the United States Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. The largest denomination of United States coin authorized by the Mint Act of 1792 was the eagle, or ten-dollar piece. The large amount of bullion being brought east after the discovery of gold in California in the 1840s caused Congress to consider new denominations of gold coinage. The gold dollar and double eagle were the result. After considerable infighting at the Philadelphia Mint, Chief Engraver James B. Longacre designed the double eagle, and it began to be issued for commerce in 1850. Only one 1849 double eagle is known to survive and it rests in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian. (Full article...)
  • Image 13 The Lexington–Concord Sesquicentennial half dollar, sometimes the Lexington–Concord half dollar or Patriot half dollar, is a commemorative fifty-cent piece struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1925 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which began the American Revolutionary War. It was designed by Chester Beach and features Daniel Chester French
  • Image 14 A nickel is a five-cent coin struck by the United States Mint. Composed of cupronickel (75% copper and 25% nickel), the piece has been issued since 1866. Its diameter is 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) and its thickness is 0.077 inches (1.95 mm). The silver half dime, equal to five cents, was issued from 1792 to 1873 before today
  • Image 15 The Draped Bust dollar is a United States dollar coin minted from 1795 to 1803, and was reproduced, dated 1804, into the 1850s. The design succeeded the Flowing Hair dollar, which began mintage in 1794 and was the first silver dollar struck by the United States Mint. The designer is unknown, though the distinction is usually credited to artist Gilbert Stuart. The model is also unknown, though Ann Willing Bingham has been suggested. In October 1795, newly appointed Mint Director Elias Boudinot ordered that the legal fineness of 0.892 (89.2%) silver be used for the dollar rather than the unauthorized fineness of 0.900 (90%) silver that had been used since the denomination was first minted in 1794. Due largely to a decrease in the amount of silver deposited at the Philadelphia Mint, coinage of silver dollars declined throughout the latter years of the 18th century. In 1804, coinage of silver dollars was halted; the last date used during regular mint production was 1803. (Full article...)
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The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent.
The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent.
The Achaemenid Empire issued coins from 520 BCE–450 BCE to 330 BCE. The Persian daric was the first gold coin which, along with a similar silver coin, the siglos (from Ancient Greek: σίγλος, Hebrew: שֶׁקֶל, shékel) represented the first bimetallic monetary standard. It seems that before the Persians issued their own coinage, a continuation of Lydian coinage under Persian rule is likely. Achaemenid coinage includes the official imperial issues (Darics and Sigloi), as well as coins issued by the Achaemenid provincial governors (satraps), such as those stationed in Asia Minor. (Full article...)
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Credit: commons:User:Roger McLassus.
A 1 Hungarian pengő coin, made of aluminium, floating on water, demonstrating its surface tension.

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Newfoundland 2 dollar coin
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1 oz Krugerrand 2017 Bildseite.png

The Krugerrand (/ˈkruːɡərænd/; Afrikaans: [ˈkry.ərˌrant]) is a South African coin, first minted on 3 July 1967 to help market South African gold and produced by Rand Refinery and the South African Mint. The name is a compound of Paul Kruger, the former President of the South African Republic (depicted on the obverse), and rand, the South African unit of currency. On the reverse side of the Krugerrand is a pronking springbok, South Africa's national animal.

By 1980 the Krugerrand accounted for more than 90% of the global gold coin market and was the number one choice for investors buying gold. However, during the 1980s and 1990s, Krugerrands fell out of favor as some western countries forbade import of the Krugerrand because of its association with the apartheid government of South Africa. (Full article...)

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Credit: commons:User:Timur lenk
Front of 1902 50 Austro-Hungarian korona.

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The following are images from various numismatics-related articles on Wikipedia.
  • Image 1The world's oldest coin, created in the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. (from Currency)
    The world's oldest coin, created in the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. (from Currency)
  • Image 21884 United States trade dollar (from Coin)
    1884 United States trade dollar (from Coin)
  • Image 33 Rubles proof coin of Russia, minted in 2008 (from Coin)
    3 Rubles proof coin of Russia, minted in 2008 (from Coin)
  • Image 4Name of currency units by country, in Portuguese (from Currency)
    Name of currency units by country, in Portuguese (from Currency)
  • Image 5A Yuan dynasty printing plate and banknote with Chinese words. (from Banknote)
    A Yuan dynasty printing plate and banknote with Chinese words. (from Banknote)
  • Image 6Marco Polo described the use of early banknotes in China to Medieval Europe in his book, The Travels of Marco Polo. (from Banknote)
    Marco Polo described the use of early banknotes in China to Medieval Europe in his book, The Travels of Marco Polo. (from Banknote)
  • Image 7When Brazil changed currencies in 1989, the 1000, 5000, and 10,000 cruzados banknotes were overstamped and issued as 1, 5, and 10 cruzados novos banknotes for several months before cruzado novo banknotes were printed and issued. Banknotes can be overstamped with new denominations, typically when a country converts to a new currency at an even, fixed exchange rate (in this case, 1000:1). (from Banknote)
    When Brazil changed currencies in 1989, the 1000, 5000, and 10,000 cruzados banknotes were overstamped and issued as 1, 5, and 10 cruzados novos banknotes for several months before cruzado novo banknotes were printed and issued. Banknotes can be overstamped with new denominations, typically when a country converts to a new currency at an even, fixed exchange rate (in this case, 1000:1). (from Banknote)
  • Image 8100 USD banknote (from History of money)
    100 USD banknote (from History of money)
  • Image 9Many currencies, such as the Indonesian rupiah, vary the sizes of their banknotes by denomination. This is done so that they may be told apart through touch alone. (from Banknote)
    Many currencies, such as the Indonesian rupiah, vary the sizes of their banknotes by denomination. This is done so that they may be told apart through touch alone. (from Banknote)
  • Image 10Gandharan "bent-bar" punch-marked coin minted under Achaemenid administration, of the type found in large quantities in the Chaman Hazouri and the Bhir Mound hoards. (from Coin)
    Gandharan "bent-bar" punch-marked coin minted under Achaemenid administration, of the type found in large quantities in the Chaman Hazouri and the Bhir Mound hoards. (from Coin)
  • Image 11Shreds of unfit US dollar notes with a typical size of less than 1.5 mm x 16 mm (from Banknote)
    Shreds of unfit US dollar notes with a typical size of less than 1.5 mm x 16 mm (from Banknote)
  • Image 12Collage for banknote design with annotations and additions to show proposed changes (figure rather higher so as to allow room for the No.), Bank of Manchester, UK, 1833. On display at the British Museum in London (from Banknote)
    Collage for banknote design with annotations and additions to show proposed changes (figure rather higher so as to allow room for the No.), Bank of Manchester, UK, 1833. On display at the British Museum in London (from Banknote)
  • Image 13Shredded and briquetted euro banknotes from the Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany (approx. 1 kg) (from Banknote)
    Shredded and briquetted euro banknotes from the Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany (approx. 1 kg) (from Banknote)
  • Image 14A siglos found in the Kabul valley, 5th century BC. Coins of this type were also found in the Bhir Mound hoard. (from Coin)
    A siglos found in the Kabul valley, 5th century BC. Coins of this type were also found in the Bhir Mound hoard. (from Coin)
  • Image 15Shredded and briquetted US dollar notes from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (approx. 1000 pieces, 1 kg) (from Banknote)
    Shredded and briquetted US dollar notes from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (approx. 1000 pieces, 1 kg) (from Banknote)
  • Image 16Earliest banknote from China during the Song Dynasty which is known as "Jiaozi" (from History of money)
    Earliest banknote from China during the Song Dynasty which is known as "Jiaozi" (from History of money)
  • Image 17Currencies exchange logo (from Currency)
    Currencies exchange logo (from Currency)
  • Image 18Athenian coin (c. 500/490–485 BC) discovered in the Shaikhan Dehri hoard in Pushkalavati, Ancient India. This coin is the earliest known example of its type to be found so far east. (from Coin)
    Athenian coin (c. 500/490–485 BC) discovered in the Shaikhan Dehri hoard in Pushkalavati, Ancient India. This coin is the earliest known example of its type to be found so far east. (from Coin)
  • Image 19Fed Shreds as souvenir from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (from Banknote)
    Fed Shreds as souvenir from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (from Banknote)
  • Image 20Hoard of mostly Mauryan Empire coins, 3rd century BC. (from Coin)
    Hoard of mostly Mauryan Empire coins, 3rd century BC. (from Coin)
  • Image 21Holographic coin from Liberia features the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) (from Coin)
    Holographic coin from Liberia features the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) (from Coin)
  • Image 22An American Silver Eagle minted in 2019 (left), an example of a Bullion coin. Its obverse design is based on the older, formerly circulating silver Walking Liberty half dollar (right). (from Coin)
    An American Silver Eagle minted in 2019 (left), an example of a Bullion coin. Its obverse design is based on the older, formerly circulating silver Walking Liberty half dollar (right). (from Coin)
  • Image 23Silver coin of the Maurya Empire, known as rūpyarūpa, with symbols of wheel and elephant. 3rd century BC (from History of money)
    Silver coin of the Maurya Empire, known as rūpyarūpa, with symbols of wheel and elephant. 3rd century BC (from History of money)
  • Image 24The earliest inscribed coinage: electrum coin of Phanes from Ephesus, 625–600 BC. Obverse: Stag grazing right, ΦΑΝΕΩΣ (retrograde). Reverse: Two incuse punches, each with raised intersecting lines. (from Coin)
    The earliest inscribed coinage: electrum coin of Phanes from Ephesus, 625–600 BC. Obverse: Stag grazing right, ΦΑΝΕΩΣ (retrograde). Reverse: Two incuse punches, each with raised intersecting lines. (from Coin)
  • Image 25Russian American Company-issued Alaskan parchment scrip (c. 1852) (from Banknote)
    Russian American Company-issued Alaskan parchment scrip (c. 1852) (from Banknote)
  • Image 26Five million mark coin (Weimar Republic, 1923). Despite its high denomination, this coin's monetary value dropped to a tiny fraction of a US cent by the end of 1923, substantially less than the value of its metallic content. (from Coin)
    Five million mark coin (Weimar Republic, 1923). Despite its high denomination, this coin's monetary value dropped to a tiny fraction of a US cent by the end of 1923, substantially less than the value of its metallic content. (from Coin)
  • Image 27A$5 note issued by Citizens Bank of Louisiana in the 1850s. (from Banknote)
    A$5 note issued by Citizens Bank of Louisiana in the 1850s. (from Banknote)
  • Image 28The French East India Company issued rupees in the name of Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) for Northern India trade. This was cast in Pondicherry. (from History of money)
    The French East India Company issued rupees in the name of Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) for Northern India trade. This was cast in Pondicherry. (from History of money)
  • Image 29Punch-marked coin minted in the Kabul Valley under Achaemenid administration, c. 500–380 BC, or c. 350 BC. (from Coin)
    Punch-marked coin minted in the Kabul Valley under Achaemenid administration, c. 500–380 BC, or c. 350 BC. (from Coin)
  • Image 30Greek drachm of Aegina. Obverse: Land turtle. Reverse: ΑΙΓ(INA) and dolphin (from History of money)
    Greek drachm of Aegina. Obverse: Land turtle. Reverse: ΑΙΓ(INA) and dolphin (from History of money)
  • Image 31Chinese round coins, Eastern Zhou dynasty – Warring States Period, c. 300–220 BC. Four Hua (四化, 30mm, 6.94 g). Legend Yi Si Hua ([City of] Yi Four Hua). (from Coin)
    Chinese round coins, Eastern Zhou dynasty – Warring States Period, c. 300–220 BC. Four Hua (四化, 30mm, 6.94 g). Legend Yi Si Hua ([City of] Yi Four Hua). (from Coin)
  • Image 32French 1992 twenty Franc Tri-Metallic coin (from Coin)
    French 1992 twenty Franc Tri-Metallic coin (from Coin)
  • Image 33The sealing of the Bank of England Charter (1694). The Bank began the first permanent issue of banknotes a year later. (from Banknote)
    The sealing of the Bank of England Charter (1694). The Bank began the first permanent issue of banknotes a year later. (from Banknote)
  • Image 34Obverse and reverse of an old American $100 note (1928) (from Banknote)
    Obverse and reverse of an old American $100 note (1928) (from Banknote)
  • Image 35Bimetallic Egyptian one pound coin featuring King Tutankhamen (from Coin)
    Bimetallic Egyptian one pound coin featuring King Tutankhamen (from Coin)
  • Image 36Fifty-five-dollar bill in Continental currency; leaf design by Benjamin Franklin, 1779 (from Banknote)
    Fifty-five-dollar bill in Continental currency; leaf design by Benjamin Franklin, 1779 (from Banknote)
  • Image 37Silver stater of Aegina, 550–530 BC. Obv. Sea turtle with large pellets down centre. Rev. incuse square punch with eight sections. (from Coin)
    Silver stater of Aegina, 550–530 BC. Obv. Sea turtle with large pellets down centre. Rev. incuse square punch with eight sections. (from Coin)
  • Image 38Posthumous Alexander the Great tetradrachm from Temnos, Aeolis. Dated 188–170 BC. Obverse: Alexander the Great as Herakles facing right wearing the nemean lionskin. Reverse: Zeus seated on throne to the left holding eagle in right hand and scepter in left; in left field PA monogram and angular sigma above grape vine arching over oinochoe; ALEXANDROU vertical in right field. Reference: Price 1678. (from Coin)
    Posthumous Alexander the Great tetradrachm from Temnos, Aeolis. Dated 188–170 BC. Obverse: Alexander the Great as Herakles facing right wearing the nemean lionskin. Reverse: Zeus seated on throne to the left holding eagle in right hand and scepter in left; in left field PA monogram and angular sigma above grape vine arching over oinochoe; ALEXANDROU vertical in right field. Reference: Price 1678. (from Coin)
  • Image 39Banknotes with a face value of ten in the United States dollar, pound sterling as issued by the Bank of England and euro. (from Banknote)
    Banknotes with a face value of ten in the United States dollar, pound sterling as issued by the Bank of England and euro. (from Banknote)
  • Image 40Strength of currencies relative to USD as of April 2022 (from Currency)
    Strength of currencies relative to USD as of April 2022 (from Currency)
  • Image 41Alexander the Great Tetradrachm from the Temnos Mint, c. 188–170 BC (from Coin)
    Alexander the Great Tetradrachm from the Temnos Mint, c. 188–170 BC (from Coin)
  • Image 42Shredded and briquetted US dollar notes from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (approx. 1000 pieces, 1 kg) (from Banknote)
    Shredded and briquetted US dollar notes from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (approx. 1000 pieces, 1 kg) (from Banknote)
  • Image 43Coins can be stacked. (from Coin)
    Coins can be stacked. (from Coin)
  • Image 44A 2000 Romanian lei polymer banknote (from Banknote)
    A 2000 Romanian lei polymer banknote (from Banknote)
  • Image 45The first paper money in Europe, issued by the Stockholms Banco in 1666. (from Banknote)
    The first paper money in Europe, issued by the Stockholms Banco in 1666. (from Banknote)
  • Image 46Spade money from the Zhou Dynasty, c. 650–400 BC (from History of money)
    Spade money from the Zhou Dynasty, c. 650–400 BC (from History of money)
  • Image 47The taka was widely used across South Asia during the sultanate period. (from History of money)
    The taka was widely used across South Asia during the sultanate period. (from History of money)
  • Image 48A 7th century one-third stater coin from Lydia, shown larger (from History of money)
    A 7th century one-third stater coin from Lydia, shown larger (from History of money)
  • Image 49A silver coin made during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II (from Coin)
    A silver coin made during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II (from Coin)
  • Image 50The Piloncitos are tiny engraved gold coins found in the Philippines, along with the barter rings, which are gold ring-like ingots. These barter rings are bigger than doughnuts[specify] in size and are made of pure gold from the Archaic period (c. 10th to 16th century). (from Coin)
    The Piloncitos are tiny engraved gold coins found in the Philippines, along with the barter rings, which are gold ring-like ingots. These barter rings are bigger than doughnuts[specify] in size and are made of pure gold from the Archaic period (c. 10th to 16th century). (from Coin)
  • Image 51An oxhide ingot from Crete. Late Bronze Age metal ingots were given standard shapes, such as the shape of an "ox-hide", suggesting that they represented standardized values. (from Coin)
    An oxhide ingot from Crete. Late Bronze Age metal ingots were given standard shapes, such as the shape of an "ox-hide", suggesting that they represented standardized values. (from Coin)
  • Image 52Song dynasty Jiaozi, the world's earliest paper money (from Currency)
    Song dynasty Jiaozi, the world's earliest paper money (from Currency)
  • Image 53A 5 euro note so badly damaged it has been torn in half. The note has later been repaired with tape. (from Banknote)
    A 5 euro note so badly damaged it has been torn in half. The note has later been repaired with tape. (from Banknote)
  • Image 54Coin of Alyattes of Lydia, c. 620/10-564/53 BC. (from Coin)
    Coin of Alyattes of Lydia, c. 620/10-564/53 BC. (from Coin)
  • Image 55Early punch-marked coins of Gandhara, Taxila-Gandhara region. (from Coin)
    Early punch-marked coins of Gandhara, Taxila-Gandhara region. (from Coin)
  • Image 56Cowry shells being used as money by an Arab trader. (from Currency)
    Cowry shells being used as money by an Arab trader. (from Currency)
  • Image 57Song Dynasty Jiaozi, the world's earliest paper money. (from Banknote)
    Song Dynasty Jiaozi, the world's earliest paper money. (from Banknote)
  • Image 58The Achaemenid Empire Satraps and Dynasts in Asia Minor developed the usage of portraiture from c. 420 BC. Portrait of the Satrap of Lydia, Tissaphernes (c. 445–395 BC). (from Coin)
    The Achaemenid Empire Satraps and Dynasts in Asia Minor developed the usage of portraiture from c. 420 BC. Portrait of the Satrap of Lydia, Tissaphernes (c. 445–395 BC). (from Coin)
  • Image 59Bielefeld Germany 25 Mark 1921. Silk Banknote. (from Banknote)
    Bielefeld Germany 25 Mark 1921. Silk Banknote. (from Banknote)
  • Image 60A Swiss ten-cent coin from 1879, similar to the oldest coins still in official use today (from Coin)
    A Swiss ten-cent coin from 1879, similar to the oldest coins still in official use today (from Coin)

Numismatic terminology

  • Bullion – Precious metals (platinum, gold and silver) in the form of bars, ingots or plate.
  • Error – Usually a mis-made coin not intended for circulation, but can also refer to an engraving or die-cutting error not discovered until the coins are released to circulation. This may result is two or more varieties of the coin in the same year.
  • Exonumia – The study of coin-like objects such as token coins and medals, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration.
  • Fineness – Purity of precious metal content expressed in terms of one thousand parts. 90% is expressed as .900 fine.
  • Notaphily – The study of paper money or banknotes.
  • Scripophily – The study and collection of stocks and Bonds.

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Numismatic topics

Money - Coins - Banknotes - Electronic money - Exchange rate - Legal tender - Clubs - Terminology

Ancient currency: Asia - Byzantium - Greece - Primitive Money - Roman - Indian coinage

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Most traded currencies

Most traded currencies by value
Currency distribution of global foreign exchange market turnover[1]
Rank Currency ISO 4217
code 		Symbol or
abbreviation 		Proportion of
daily volume,
April 2019 		Proportion of
daily volume,
April 2022
1
 U.S. dollar
USD
US$
 88.3% 88.5%
2
 Euro
EUR
€
 32.3% 30.5%
3
 Japanese yen
JPY
¥ / 円
 16.8% 16.7%
4
 Sterling
GBP
£
 12.8% 12.9%
5
 Renminbi
CNY
¥ / 元
 4.3% 7.0%
6
 Australian dollar
AUD
A$
 6.8% 6.4%
7
 Canadian dollar
CAD
C$
 5.0% 6.2%
8
 Swiss franc
CHF
CHF
 5.0% 5.2%
9
 Hong Kong dollar
HKD
HK$
 3.5% 2.6%
10
 Singapore dollar
SGD
S$
 1.8% 2.4%
11
 Swedish krona
SEK
kr
 2.0% 2.2%
12
 South Korean won
KRW
₩ / 원
 2.0% 1.9%
13
 Norwegian krone
NOK
kr
 1.8% 1.7%
14
 New Zealand dollar
NZD
NZ$
 2.1% 1.7%
15
 Indian rupee
INR
₹
 1.7% 1.6%
16
 Mexican peso
MXN
$
 1.7% 1.5%
17
 New Taiwan dollar
TWD
NT$
 0.9% 1.1%
18
 South African rand
ZAR
R
 1.1% 1.0%
19
 Brazilian real
BRL
R$
 1.1% 0.9%
20
 Danish krone
DKK
kr
 0.6% 0.7%
21
 Polish złoty
PLN
zł
 0.6% 0.7%
22
 Thai baht
THB
฿
 0.5% 0.4%
23
 Israeli new shekel
ILS
₪
 0.3% 0.4%
24
 Indonesian rupiah
IDR
Rp
 0.4% 0.4%
25
 Czech koruna
CZK
Kč
 0.4% 0.4%
26
 UAE dirham
AED
د.إ
 0.2% 0.4%
27
 Turkish lira
TRY
₺
 1.1% 0.4%
28
 Hungarian forint
HUF
Ft
 0.4% 0.3%
29
 Chilean peso
CLP
CLP$
 0.3% 0.3%
30
 Saudi riyal
SAR
﷼
 0.2% 0.2%
31
 Philippine peso
PHP
₱
 0.3% 0.2%
32
 Malaysian ringgit
MYR
RM
 0.1% 0.2%
33
 Colombian peso
COP
COL$
 0.2% 0.2%
34
 Russian ruble
RUB
₽
 1.1% 0.2%
35
 Romanian leu
RON
L
 0.1% 0.1%
…
 Other 2.2% 2.5%
Total[note 1] 200.0% 200.0%

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  1. ^ The total sum is 200% because each currency trade always involves a currency pair; one currency is sold (e.g. US$) and another bought (€). Therefore each trade is counted twice, once under the sold currency ($) and once under the bought currency (€). The percentages above are the percent of trades involving that currency regardless of whether it is bought or sold, e.g. the US dollar is bought or sold in 88% of all trades, whereas the euro is bought or sold 32% of the time.
  1. ^ "Triennial Central Bank Survey Foreign exchange turnover in April 2022" (PDF). Bank for International Settlements. 27 October 2022. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
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