The Hermitage collection contains objects of art decorated with coins and medals. Not only snuffboxes and boxes, but also goblets, bowls and wine glasses with coins and medals affixed were in demand in Europe. The collection includes stamped medallions, for example, those by the Austrian medallist L.Heyberger, which were used to adorn snuffboxes.
A separate collection includes dukaches, coin-like ornaments for women handed down from generation to generation in the Ukraine, the Balkans and Greece.
The Numismatic Department collection possesses the so called Schraubtalers – box-shaped coins made from a pair of coins. The threaded box lid or bottom were created from a part of a coin after using a turning technique. By joining together the “bottom” and the “lid” a “trick” coin resulted. After screwing a “box-shaped coin” off, one could see a series of mica drawings on religious and everyday subjects. By the 18th century box-shaped medals had gained popularity, their manufacture making it possible to saturate their “internal content” with engraved series which illustrated entire war histories. For example, among much sought-after medals were the ones devoted to the wars waged by Frederick the Great and Napoleon.
Since the early 17th century the so called Georgstalers – amulets of coins and medals depicting Saint George slaying the dragon had gained currency in Central Europe. They were believed to protect warriors, sailors and travellers. A number of similar objects are kept in the Hermitage. The coins with the image of the Madonna and Child were often set in a mount to be worn as a brooch. Beginning with the 18th century gifts in the form of spoons with the coins fitted into their work face representing the countries visited by the traveler, made their appearance in Europe. This tradition has survived till the present day.
The Hermitage holds goblets and wine glasses decorated with coins from Saxony, France, Poland, Italy, spoons, cuff links and centerpieces with 17th to 20th century coins. Among the monuments of bonistics is a paper-weight with a French Republic assignat worth 5 silver livres inserted inside.
