Pol abstract 2008
Numismatics in the Netherlands
Where are we now in Dutch numismatics and where do go? Will we ever reach a glorious destination?
In the Netherlands in the past decades some beautiful monographs have seen daylight, as well as many smaller contributions on all kinds of coinage from the pre-roman celtic period up till the present day, not forgetting those on Dutch medals and paper money. However, it seems as if modern times especially favour the popular field and the overall impression remains that the scholarly output is diminishing. One of the causes seems to lie in an ever growing attention for other outgoing activities as exhibitions and the demands of modern upkeep of collections administration and presentations, be it electronic or otherwise. Of course, also the merger of the three major Dutch numismatic collections into one institution has taken its toll: a lot of energy has been put into packing, moving, unpacking and shovelling around the collections. It is hoped that quiet returns in due course and that more time can effectively be dedicated to research and publication of its results.
The position of numismatics among the other historic disciplines like history, art history and archaeology in the Netherlands is weak. The new Geldmuseum is the only place where our specialism finds a roof. At universities virtually no attention is being paid to numismatics or even to monetary history. Apart from incidental introductory lectures given here and there, only at Leiden Roman numismatics is taught systematically (by a Geldmuseum staff-member). Fortunately every now and then there is an opportunity for a some kind of working together with other parties in the academic field. With a series of annual lectures on a variety of subjects, we seek to integrate in yet another way. Projects on monetary history seem to offer an opportunity for more co-operation and for a better use of numismatic sources like collections and coin find databases. In this connection it should be remarked that there is one exception to the situation as sketched before, where it concerns the registration of coin finds. Since long this has been done structurally together with archaeologists for the benefit of both parties. In the past two/three decades, however, the archaeological field has changed profoundly and also the introduction of the metal-detector complicated matters. More material is found, but less is reported – and it has not always been possible to pay enough attention to the registration of coin finds. We still think it is a necessary job, fruitful to numismatics and other disciplines.
To say that numismatics is flourishing in Dutch museums would be a gross exaggeration. Some regional museums have (general) curators that are interested in the category, but in fact coins and medals are used only marginally. There is the exception of Teylers Museum in Haarlem where always attention is paid to the subject. The large collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam remains locked away for several years, as long as the renovation lasts. And overhere the situation is hardly any different. The merger in 2004 of the collections of the national coin cabinet (Leiden), the central bank (Amsterdam) and the former state mint (Utrecht) have brought together a rough number of c. 350.000 objects, but till so far 99,9% of this material remained hidden in the vaults. And although among its curatorial staff every numismatic discipline is represented, till so far little use has been made of its expertise for exhibitions in this house. At present most attention is paid to the financial education of the young, and only very little to presenting highlights of the collections. The name Geldmuseum [i.e. “money museum”] seems to imply a sole orientation on money and its history, but other parts of the rich collection like medals and gem stones must not be forgotten. Because of the long standing tradition of being collected by the same persons as coins and, even more, because of the intrinsic connection of being made by the same artists and craftsmen, these items most certainly are an integral part of the collection. At the end of all this there remains the wish to have the substantial collection of non-western coinages returned from Rotterdam to this house, in order to enable an even more complete story of money of the world and ensure a good administration and access of this important part of the Dutch numismatic heritage.
In the Netherlands numismatic trade and collecting seems to flourish, let’s hope scholarly and museum numismatics will improve in due course!