Coins, Medals, and Monetary Tokens

Right from the museum’s founding in 1834, numismatics was an important focus of its collecting activities: ‘the crown jewel of the collection’, as Vinzenz Maria Süß referred to the coin and medal collection he had assembled for the ‘Städtisches Museum in Salzburg’ (Salzburg Municipal Museum) in 1847. The collection of coins, medals, orders, and seals now comprises more than 60,000 objects.

The heart of the collection consists of coins and medals from the (prince-)archbishopric of Salzburg. Salzburg Museum also houses a historical collection of religious medals connected with local production, pilgrimages, or finds.

Other highlights include the ‘treasure trove’: among them is Austria’s most extensive hoard of medieval coins, discovered in 1978 in Salzburg’s Judengasse, consisting of more than 28,343 silver coins from the thirteenth century, minted in mints from Salzburg to Venice. Or the hoard of coins from Werfen in Pongau, comprising 771 gold and 249 silver coins from various mints across Europe, minted before 1540. The coins were clipped, and shavings and filings have been preserved.

The holdings also include an extensive collection of banknotes and token money. Minting tools, as well as seal stamps and impressions are also kept: this includes archbishop’s seals from the eleventh century to recent times, as well as guild seals and official stamps.

In order to make these cultural treasures known beyond Salzburg and to make them available to scholars and other interested parties, they have been published in the online collection since 2019. Rarities, unique items, and highlights of the coin, medal, and seal collection that are of national significance have also been published on an ongoing basis on the Interactive Coin Cabinet Catalogue portal since 17 May 2024.

The Digital Coin Cabinet of Salzburg Museum