Uppsala University Coin Cabinet, Numismatic collection at Uppsala University, Sweden

The Uppsala University Coin Cabinet is a numismatic collection containing approximately 40,000 objects, including coins, medals, and currency items spanning different historical periods and regions worldwide. The main exhibition focuses on medieval coins and medals, while researchers can access the complete collection for academic study.

The collection's origins lie in the 17th century, not 1694. Uppsala University's first numismatic thesis appeared in 1679, and dissertations in numismatics and monetary history have followed since. The cabinet now holds close to 40,000 objects, from coins of the 6th century BC to modern digital currencies.

The collection features Swedish coins and medals from various periods, alongside Viking-age currency and Islamic monetary items. These objects help visitors understand different economic traditions and how people conducted trade across regions.

The coin cabinet sits in Uppsala University's main building, where only a representative fraction of the roughly 40,000 objects is on display; the main exhibition covers medieval coins and medals. Researchers who need the full collections should contact the institution in advance to arrange study access.

The collection includes specimens of modern digital currencies alongside ancient coins, showing how the concept of money has transformed across millennia. This juxtaposition reveals the shift from physical to intangible forms of value.