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The Society has an excellent reference library of numismatic literature, with over 16,000 books, periodicals and sales catalogues. It is combined with that of the Royal Numismatic Society and is housed in the Warburg Institute.

From the 11th September 2023:

Reader’s Card

All BNS members wishing to visit the numismatic library will need to register for a free Warburg Institute Reader’s Card. This can be obtained from the Warburg duty librarian’s desk – they are issued by the Warburg and not by the RNS/BNS.

To get your reader’s card, please bring valid photographic ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, national ID card), and proof of address, and your current BNS Membership Card.

Opening Hours

From 11th September, the numismatic library will now be accessible 5 days a week! No longer just Tuesday afternoons.

During this refurbishment, the Warburg is only open on weekdays. Please check the Warburg Institute website for opening hours and days (https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/library-collections-0/library/opening-times)

Location

During the refurbishment (August 2023 – Spring 2024), the numismatic library will be located on the 4th floor of the Warburg Institute.

While all items are for reference only and may not be borrowed, there are facilities within the Warburg Institute to photocopy or scan suitable material.

For enquiries regarding library holdings please contact the Librarian.

 
                 British Numismatic Society Library  

Here are links to the full list of all the books held in the RNS/BNS Library.  This list is for books only - not periodicals, not auction catalogues and not "Fixed Price Lists".   Also present is a brief guide to the categories and sub-categories (where applicable) - these codes are used in catalogue.   Book sections: A-C, D-P  - these are very large spreadsheets and you will need to use the magnification feature in your pdf reader in order to view the files.

Click here to download a spreadsheet listing periodicals held by the library (as of YE 2022).