The group of pendants mentioned above is part of a freestanding Collection of Religious Pendants in the Department of Coins and Medals. The collection numbers over 9,000 items and comprises several prized pre-war collections that the museum was able to acquire – the collection from Rapperswil, the collection of Dominik Witke-Jeżewski and the collection of Stanisław Kosieradzki (comprising 4,720 medals and religious pendants, 2272 tokens, plaques and membership badges). After the war, the depleted collection was gradually expanded through acquisitions of, among others, the collection of Andrzej Potocki, the collection of medals from the holdings of the National Mint and many donations and purchases from the Jewellers’ Workshop.
In addition to the collections described here, the Department of Coins and Medals has in its possession other items of significance to both academics and casual visitors. These items include coins issued outside of Europe, for example a set of coins from the Caribbean, or jewellery made from coins. Another critical function of the Department is restoration work, which not only ensures that the items in its holdings are maintained in the best possible condition but helps to broaden our knowledge on the proper care of our exhibits.
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