There are approximately 5000 coins and medals with a maritime or Greenwich association in the National Maritime Museum’s collection. The collection owes its existence to a group of private medal collectors with an interest in naval history. Apart from a small group of Roman coins, most of the collection dates from the 15th to the 20th century. The collection includes Orders and decorations from all over the world, British war and gallantry medals and art medals from Europe and North and South America.