The Royal Numismatic Society

Founded in 1836

The Royal Numismatic Society is the UK's foremost society for numismatics - the study of coins, medals and related currency items.

Founded in 1836 as The Numismatic Society of London, today's Society is international in subject and membership. Its lectures and publications deal with Classical, Asian, Medieval and Modern coins, paper money, tokens and medals, and Fellows include scholars and enthusiasts from around the world.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month between October and June at The Warburg Institute, 6pm to 7.30pm, and are open to all.

History of the Society

Originally founded in 1836 as The Numismatic Society of London, the Society became The Royal Numismatic Society when it was granted its Charter in 1904.

The history of the Society was presented as a series of annual Presidential addresses by R.A.G. Carson - these were published in the Numismatic Chronicle between 1975 and 1978. The fifth and latest instalment was written to mark the 150th anniversary of the Society in 1986 and is accessible here with the others:

Part 1: 1836-1874, Part 2: 1874-1904, Part 3: 1904-1936, Part 4: 1936-1976, Part 5: 1976-1986

The Presidents of the Society

The Society's Bylaws

The Royal Numismatic Society | Registered Charity number 221850 | Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG | rns_webeditor@hotmail.co.uk