CityLife

The Museum's first major acquisition was Reuben Spencer's European coins and commemorative medals in 1885. There are more than 17500 coins in total. The Greek section comprises some 3000 pieces, mostly in silver and copper. The British and British colonial collection numbers only 6200 pieces, but there are some fine and rare individual coins. There are some 30000 European coins, mostly 17th-19th century, complemented by 2400 medallions; France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Holland and Russia are well represented. The Museum actively collects Manchester-related material - medallions and plaques.