Large box for a pair of scales by Tonnis von Medtmann
1611
Cologne
currently not on display
Acquired in 1853, this assay balance is the oldest of our collections. It is very well preserved and has a total of 36 weights, which were used to measure and verify gold coins.
From the 14th century onwards, large-scale issue of gold currency in different locations spread the use of balances and monetary weights, which became necessary tools for money changers’ daily work.
100 Luxembourg Francs Banknotes
1934
Luxembourg
paper
currently not on display
Since the creation of the first Luxembourg paper notes in 1856, several institutions have been responsible for their issue: the International Bank in Luxembourg, the National Bank of Luxembourg, and the State of Luxembourg.
The reverse side of this banknote, issued by the State in 1934 during the reign of Grand Duchess Charlotte, shows the Adolphe Bridge, a landmark of the capital, and the building of the Spuerkeess (State’s Bank and Savings Bank). The museum’s collection of banknotes has been complete in particular since the integration of the former collection of the Spuerkeess in 2006. It includes many sets of banknotes, printing plates and rare specimens.
Hoard of Dalheim-Petzel
gallo-roman period
3rd century A.D.
Central Building | Level -4 | Gallo-roman
In 1842, a farmer discovered a hoard of Roman coins in a Dalheim field. In total, about 24,000 bronze coins, mainly bronze folles and larger denominations, were arranged inside three urns. The hoard was dispersed among several individuals and many pieces and doubles were exchanged. The Governor Theodore Ignace de la Fontaine (1787-1871), a passionate numismatist, succeeded in significantly increasing his collection thanks in large part to the Dalheim discovery.
Today, only 154 coins and one original piece of pottery, preserving the imprint of the pieces on its inner sides, are attributable to this hoard and exhibited at the MNHA, some of which were identified as belonging to the hoard due to their easily recognizable patina.
Insignia of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
1882-92
currently not on display
The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau is among the most prestigious Luxembourg orders. This insignia is the only complete set retained from the period between 1882 and 1892. The order included five civil and military classes, ranging from the Grand Cross to the Knight of Fifth Class.
This distinguished order of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the former Duchy of Nassau was established in 1858 as a joint order by the two lines of the House of Nassau. In 1892, it became an order with an unique rank. This is the highest honour of the Grand Ducal House of Luxembourg.
Medal of Charles V
1521
Germany
silver
currently not on display
Based on drawings by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) and completed by the Nuremberg goldsmith Hans Krafft (1481-1542), this work marks the beginning of the art of medal in Germany. This is one of the oldest pieces in the collection and one of the jewels of the museum's coin cabinet.
To create it, two distinct dies for each side were necessary, using four matrixes: the effigy and double-headed eagle as well as the coat of arms on the obverse and the reverse.
The difficulties that occurred during the striking process damaged the first medal die of the reverse in such a way that two different versions of this medal exist. Only thirteen copies of both types have been preserved, mainly in prestigious public collections. This copy was not struck but instead cast and embellished with enamel and gold.
1 ½ solidi of Gratian
c. 376
Trier
Gold
currently not on display
This gold coin belonged to the fabulous hoard of Machtum that sank in the Moselle in 375 A.D., which consisted of more than a hundred Roman gold coins and precious medallions of remarkable size. Dispersed among private collectors and in international auctions, certain coins have been acquired by the coin cabinet of Luxembourg.
This exceptional set is undoubtedly the result of a largitio, a ceremony of the imperial court in Trier during which the emperor himself offered precious metal gifts to senior civil servants and military officials. These imperial gifts, donativa, had great material and symbolic value.
