The Margaret P. and Robert H. Gore Jr. Memorial American Numismatic Collection was established by the late Robert H. Gore Jr. (’31), and is named for him and his wife. Robert bought his first coin as a 16-year-old newsboy and thus began a lifelong love of numismatics. By the time of his retirement he had developed one of the finest American coin collections in the United States. Long interested in the historical importance of numismatics and wanting to give to his beloved University something of lasting value, he donated a portion of his collection to Notre Dame both as a memorial and as a research tool to be used in the study of American numismatics. He also provided funding for growth and upkeep.

Today, the University holds one of the best colonial coin and paper money collections at any university in America. This is due, almost singularly, to the generosity, trust, and leadership of the Gore family. Though the collection focuses on the numismatics of Colonial America and contains many rare items, it also includes 19th and 20th century American coins, as well as some foreign items, medals, and tokens. The result is a truly unique collection among American research libraries. Certainly, this is a prize of the Hesburgh Libraries and a point of pride for the University.