Numismatics Room

The numismatic collection at the Gallery, at more than 120,000 objects, is by far the largest and most diverse held by any American university. The Bela Lyon Pratt Study Room for Numismatics is open by appointment to individuals or small groups.

Uncertain denomination of Septimius Severus

Denarius of L. Clodius Macer from Carthage

Tetradrachm of Antiochus VIII and Cleopatra

About the Numismatics Room

The Pratt Study Room houses approximately 100,000 coins and medals and 20,000 pieces of paper currency. The full range of numismatics is represented, from the beginnings in the 7th century B.C. to modern times. Particular strengths are in the coinages of the Greek and Roman worlds, Byzantium, and medieval and early modern England.

In addition to the main collection, which has recently been augmented by a purchase of over 4,000 coins of the Greek world, the numismatics room houses Yale’s portion of the coins recovered at the excavation of Dura-Europos. The University’s collection dates back to the early 19th century but was only transferred to the Gallery in 2001. A systematic effort is underway to improve the collection and integrate it further into the Yale curriculum.

Make an Appointment

The Pratt Study Room is located on the first floor of the Gallery and is open by appointment to individuals and small groups. For more information, or to schedule an individual or class visit, email jane.miller@yale.edu.

You will need to provide at least three weeks’ advance notice as well as a list, by accession number, of the objects you wish to view.