The society was founded in 1836 as the Numismatic Society of London and received the title "Royal Numismatic Society" from Edward VII by Royal Charter in 1904.
A sociedade fundouse en 1836 coa denominación de Numismatic Society of London, e recibiu o título de "Real Sociedade Numismática" de mans do rei Eduardo VII por unha carta rexia (Real Charter) en 1904.