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33 East College StreetHillsdale, Michigan 49242

Hillsdale.edu

The Alwin C. Carus Coin Collection

Michael Alex Mossey Library Archives & Special Collections:

“My desire is that the teaching shall include why coins came into existence and the role that coins play in economic systems. This is to help students understand how coins have been used and misused by the governments in the past, so that in the future, they might be properly used to the benefit of mankind.”

- Alwin C. Carus

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The Alwin C. Carus coin collection is a world coin collection accumulated through the efforts of Alwin C. Carus, an entrepreneur from La Salle, Illinois. Mr. Carus donated his collection to Hillsdale College for educational purposes to be used in the classroom as well as other venues and reflects his interests in the historical, economical, and educational importance of money.

Mr. Carus became interested in coins and currency when he traveled to Germany in the 1930s and learned about its hyperinflation and economic crisis which had occured approximately ten years prior. This was the start of his lifelong interest in coin collecting. As Mr. Carus continued to explore the world of numismatics, he became interested in the history of coinage as it relates to the social and political history of nations and how governments inevitably devalue their currencies in order to meet financial obligations.

Alwin C. Carus

About Alwin C. Carus:

Questions and Comments:Any questions or comments can be directed to:

Julia KilgoreCarus Coin Collection Coordinatorjkilgore@hillsdale.eduPhone: (517) 607-2573

The collection contains a broad selection of coins and currency ranging from primitive currency dating as far back as 3000 BC to present day currency. It includes coins from ancient Greece, Macedon, and Rome, as well as Byzantine, Islamic, Chinese, and Medieval English coins and currency.

Mr. Carus also collected coins from the United States, Australia, Brazil,

Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India,

Mexico, Russia, and many others. The collection also houses a selection of bank

notes including gold and silver

certificates of the United States and notes from Germany, Canada, and other foreign countries.

About The Collection:Selections from the collection are displayed in the Richardson Heritage Room.

You may also view the collection online at:http://lib.hillsdale.edu/archives/carus

Location:

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