Dutch coin finds
Introduction
NUMIS, the NUMismatic Information System, is a database containing single finds and coin hoards, found in The Netherlands. The database not only contains coins, it also contains other numismatic items like medals and coin-weights. In total far more than 125.000 objects.
Set up in the 1990s, NUMIS grows continually with new finds. The single finds are mostly dated previous to the year 1600; more modern coins are usally only recorded if found in a coin hoard (two or more items found in close proximity to each other).
NUMIS records only coin finds. So you won't find every Dutch coin in the database. You'll find not only Dutch but also foreign coins.
The use of NUMIS
The English version of NUMIS isn't available yet. Names of coins, cities and so on are in Dutch. We hope, this small introduction will help you further. If there are any questions, please contact us at numis@geldmuseum.nl
The use of pictures and descriptions is admitted, accompanied with the NUMIS number(s) and our name: Geldmuseum, Utrecht.
Description of the search-form
The differences between numismatic terms in Dutch and English are usally small. We hope that the translation and clarification of the field names are enough for your first visit of the database. Fill in one or more fields and click at Toon vondsten (= show finds). Start to fill in only one or two fields. When the number of records happens to be too extensive, use another field.
Under NUMIS actual you can follow our proceedings of recording (in percentages). Yet this information is in Dutch only.
Trefwoord - Keyword
This field makes it possible to search in different fields at once: NUMIS-number, province, community, authority, coin type, used material and catalogue.
NUMIS-nummer - NUMIS number
Every object in NUMIS bears its unique, seven-digit number. This number helps you to find a specific coin or a coin hoard. You can use this number in publications.
Soort vondst - Type of find
This item is split in ‘schatvondsten' (= coin hoards), ‘losse vondsten' (= single finds) and ‘alle vondsten' (= all the coins in the database indifferent of the type of find).
Sometimes it is important to split single finds and coin hoards. If you click at ‘schatvondsten' (= coin hoards), you'll see only the records of hoards. In the next screen it is possible to see the coins in an specific hoard.
Vondstjaar - Year of find
The year in which the coin or hoard is found. Attention: this is not the year of hiding or the year as mentioned on the coin.
Jaartal van / tot - first and last year
The first and last year of fabrication of the searched item(s). These fields can be used to search coins from a certain period of time.
Jaartal exact - year, mentioned on a coin.
Mostly used for (early) modern coins: most coins before circa 1470 don't bear any date at all.
Provincie - Province
The province where the find has taken place.
Gemeente - Community
The community where the find has taken place.
Muntplaats - Mint
The town or other location where a coin has been struck.
Materiaal - used material
Used to search for coins of a specific material like goud (=gold), zilver (=silver), koper (=copper), papier (=paper) and so on.
Catalogus - Catalogue
The book(s) used to determine the object. Keep in mind that we often use abbreviations and that sometimes this field isn't filled in.
Afbeelding - Picture
Check this box if you want to see only descriptions with pictures. If you happen to see only a picture-box without picture, we still have to adjust the picture for internet-use.
Weergave - Reproduction
Here the finds are presented in either a map-form (Dutch map = kaart) or in a table-form (lijst). You have to keep in mind that NUMIS doesn't contain the exact findspots; every spot has been translated in an area of ten square kilometres.