The Fr. Leo Hayes Collection of Ancient Coins

In 1967, the University of Queensland acquired the remarkable and wide ranging collection of Fr. Leo Hayes, parish priest of St Monica’s Church in Oakey, Queensland. The collection comprised over 50,000 books and manuscripts, along with historical and ethnographic artefacts and a significant collection of ancient coins. By 1979 this coin collection had found its way to the Antiquities Museum, forming the basis of its Late Antique numismatic holdings. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Fr. Hayes’ donation, and to explore the importance of philanthropy to Museums at UQ, the Museum presents a selection of his collection for public display in 2017.