The noun exonumia is from two classical [[Latin language|Latin] roots: exo, or out-of, and nummus', the word for coin, thus out-of-coins. It covers coin-like objects such as tokens and medals, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration, including elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, badges, counterstamped coins, wooden nickels, credit cards, as well as other similar items. It is related to numismatics, and many coin collectors are also exonumists.
"Exonumia" is the term usually applied to these objects in the United States. The equivalent British term is "paranumismatica".
Tokens such as bus tokens (transportation tokens), bar or pub tokens, and casino tokens or chips are some of the more common items of exonumia.
The words exonumist and exonumia were invented in July, 1960 by
Russell Rulau, a recognized authority on the subject, and accepted
by Webster's dictionary in 1965.
Related, but normally considered to be a different branch of numismatics, is odd and curious money.
See also
External links
