The field of exonumia encompasses several broad areas. What they share in common is that they were not struck by an official government entity. However, some of the items in this field served as a medium of exchange, mostly at a local level. What follows are some of the major groups under the umbrella of exonumia.

1. Private Tokens – These were typically low-denomination pieces issued by a merchant to be used in exchange for goods or services at their place of business. These are often referred to as “store cards” and were popular during the Civil War when small change all but disappeared from circulation. A number of private tokens were also issued around the time of the American Revolution, but these are customarily included with the Colonials.
2. Patriotic Tokens – These are similar to private tokens, but typically carried a theme related to the Civil War, such as an image of Lincoln, a flag, or military equipment such as a ship or a cannon. Most were struck in copper-nickel and were the size of a federal small cent.
3. Hard Times Tokens – Made during the period from 1832 to 1844, most were the size of the large cent at the time and struck in copper. They often depicted political figures, or issues of interest to the pubic during this unsettled economic time. Hundreds of different types were made, and while some are quite rare, prices remain relatively affordable as few are able to acquire a complete set.
4. “Name” Tokens – These are usually part of a series of coins issued by an individual or firm for use in a particular area or purpose. One can group the Lesher Referendum Dollars of 1900-01, Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Tokens of 1935, and the Feuchtwanger Tokens (1837) here.
5. Medals – While not a medium of exchange, because medals are usually (though not always) round pieces of metal, they often are sold at coin shows and attract collectors with similar interests. Medals vary widely in their size, topic and metal composition, and because there are a nearly infinite number of different ones, there is no comprehensive reference or “set” to be found. People simply collect medals that appeal to them either from a topical or artistic standpoint.
6. Altered Coins – Such things as elongated coins (coins run through a press which flattens and elongates it, usually adding some inscription or message on one side), counter-stamped coins (bearing some name or phrase), encased coins (usually in an aluminum “shell”, often seen at fairs and expositions or bearing some “lucky” phrasing) are some of the ways coins have been altered and employed, often for advertising or promotional purposes.
7. Other – Finally, peripheral areas such as wooden nickels, badges, souvenir medallions, tags or anything else remotely related to numismatics can be seen as exonumia. This is something of a “catch all” category and can include anything not previously mentioned above.