In 1995, 6641 Masson coins were discovered in the British Library and transferred on permanent loan to the British Museum. His collections were sent to the India Museum in London and most were transferred – unsorted and undocumented – to the British Museum in 1878. He recorded or excavated about 50 Buddhist monuments, bought numerous ornaments, gems and coins in the Kabul bazaar, and amassed an estimated 60,000 coins, gems, seals, rings and other, mostly bronze, surface finds from the urban site of Begram north of Kabul. Read more about the Object identification service.įrom 1833–1838, Charles Masson was employed by the British East India Company to explore the ancient sites of south-east Afghanistan. We can't, therefore, give an opinion on ancient coins made and/or found outside the UK where the provenance is uncertain or contrary to national or international law.The British Museum supports international efforts aimed at preventing damage to archaeological sites and the illicit trade in cultural objects.Neither the Trustees of the British Museum nor members of staff can accept liability for opinions given on objects submitted for examinations, or for information provided.We can't provide valuations or certificates of authentication – if you require this advice, please consult a dealer or auctioneer.Please don't send coins or other objects in the post. Please email the department at in advance of your visit to make an appointment with the relevant member of staff. The Department of Coins and Medals offers an object identification service, covering coins, tokens, coin-weights, paper money and commemorative and art medals. Room 72 – Ancient Cyprus ( The A G Leventis Gallery).Room 70 – Roman Empire ( The Wolfson Gallery).Room 41 – Sutton Hoo and Europe AD 300–1100.Room 67 – Korea ( The Korea Foundation Gallery).Room 42-43 – The Islamic world ( The Albukhary Foundation Gallery).Room 33 – China, South Asia and Southeast Asia ( The Joseph E Hotung Gallery).Items from the Department of Coins and Medals can also be seen in the following galleries. Please see the Events and exhibitions section for details about its current display.

Room 69a – a rotating programme of free, temporary Coins and Medals exhibitions are shown in this gallery.Room 68 – The Money Gallery: the history of money around the world, from prehistory to the present day.Visit our Study rooms page for general information.Photography is not allowed in this study room for security reasons.The Department of Coins and Medals Study Room is located on the third floor off Room 69a on the south (Great Russell Street) side of the Museum – view on map.

We apologise in advance should this be necessary.

The study rooms may close at short notice due to staff illness or isolation requirements.Please do not visit if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms. Hand sanitiser is located throughout spaces where washing facilities are not readily available. Please wash your hands before and after your study sessions using the facilities provided. Please complete our Study room application form and email it to: To ensure the safety of all visitors and staff, face coverings are strongly recommended when entering and leaving the study rooms, but can be removed when seated. You can make an appointment to view objects from the Coins and Medals collection in our study room.

Coin collection