“Stories on Money” explores the museum’s vast numismatic collections from seven vantage points. The main section shows what money looked like in Colonial America and at pivotal times, including the Gold Rush, Great Depression and in the current era. Visitors will compare the coin designs of the 19th century with those produced during the renaissance of American coinage in the early 20th century. The section called “The Power of Liberty,” presents an array of coins from the United States and the world depicting Liberty, the feminine personification of freedom; coins with real and mythological women are also featured.

“American currency is a reflection and a record of our history,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum. “This display illuminates history in fresh and unexpected ways and will allow visitors to think of how money tells stories about different historical periods.”

“Stories on Money” was made possible through the generosity of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America, Numismatic Conservation Services and Monaco Rare Coins.

“Having this wonderful space at the museum is very meaningful to the entire community of numismatists, and we are very proud to be a part of it. ‘Stories on Money’ is an especially fitting exhibition since it illustrates the close interplay between coins as objects and the personal history of their use,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of sponsoring organizations Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Numismatic Conservation Services.

“The ‘Stories on Money’ exhibition explores the importance of our country’s sovereignty, heritage and financial independence,” said Adam Crum, president of Monaco Rare Coins. “The beauty of the coins speaks for itself, but the history witnessed by these miniature objects is often epic.”

The exhibition draws from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which consists of more than 1.5 million objects, including coins, medals and paper currency and preserves the role of money in economic history. Featured objects include a colonial Massachusetts shilling from 1690—the first paper money in the Western hemisphere, the unique 1849 $20 gold coin and a clam shell used as currency during the Great Depression.

The exhibition uses objects and interactive media to immerse visitors in these stories on money, including an opportunity to view enlarged images and delve further into numismatic history. In “A penny for your thoughts?” visitors can cast their opinion about the future of the most-produced coin in the world.

Two books based on the National Numismatic Collection have been published in conjunction with the exhibition. Exhibition curator Richard Doty’s “America’s Money, America’s Story” and “The Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins” by visiting researcher Jeff Garrett substantiate the scholastic value of the National Numismatic Collection. Doty and Garrett, a lifelong coin collector, have spent their careers working in numismatics and have written several books on the subject.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. After a two-year renovation and a dramatic transformation, the museum shines new light on American history, both in Washington and online. To learn more about the museum, check americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

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1. Money Talks at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: New Display of Numismatic Rarities
2. National Museum of American History Updates Preservation of National Numismatic Collection
3. Smithsonian to Display Rare Proof Coins at Numismatic Convention in Baltimore

“Stories on Money” explores the museum’s vast numismatic collections from seven vantage points. The main section shows what money looked like in Colonial America and at pivotal times, including the Gold Rush, Great Depression and in the current era. Visitors will compare the coin designs of the 19th century with those produced during the renaissance of American coinage in the early 20th century. The section called “The Power of Liberty,” presents an array of coins from the United States and the world depicting Liberty, the feminine personification of freedom; coins with real and mythological women are also featured.

“American currency is a reflection and a record of our history,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum. “This display illuminates history in fresh and unexpected ways and will allow visitors to think of how money tells stories about different historical periods.”

“Stories on Money” was made possible through the generosity of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America, Numismatic Conservation Services and Monaco Rare Coins.

“Having this wonderful space at the museum is very meaningful to the entire community of numismatists, and we are very proud to be a part of it. ‘Stories on Money’ is an especially fitting exhibition since it illustrates the close interplay between coins as objects and the personal history of their use,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of sponsoring organizations Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Numismatic Conservation Services.

“The ‘Stories on Money’ exhibition explores the importance of our country’s sovereignty, heritage and financial independence,” said Adam Crum, president of Monaco Rare Coins. “The beauty of the coins speaks for itself, but the history witnessed by these miniature objects is often epic.”

The exhibition draws from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which consists of more than 1.5 million objects, including coins, medals and paper currency and preserves the role of money in economic history. Featured objects include a colonial Massachusetts shilling from 1690—the first paper money in the Western hemisphere, the unique 1849 $20 gold coin and a clam shell used as currency during the Great Depression.

The exhibition uses objects and interactive media to immerse visitors in these stories on money, including an opportunity to view enlarged images and delve further into numismatic history. In “A penny for your thoughts?” visitors can cast their opinion about the future of the most-produced coin in the world.

Two books based on the National Numismatic Collection have been published in conjunction with the exhibition. Exhibition curator Richard Doty’s “America’s Money, America’s Story” and “The Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins” by visiting researcher Jeff Garrett substantiate the scholastic value of the National Numismatic Collection. Doty and Garrett, a lifelong coin collector, have spent their careers working in numismatics and have written several books on the subject.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. After a two-year renovation and a dramatic transformation, the museum shines new light on American history, both in Washington and online. To learn more about the museum, check americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

Related posts:

1. Money Talks at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: New Display of Numismatic Rarities
2. National Museum of American History Updates Preservation of National Numismatic Collection
3. Smithsonian to Display Rare Proof Coins at Numismatic Convention in Baltimore

Initially, the Philadelphia Mint made proof coins as showpieces to demonstrate American talent and innovation. These early proofs are recognized by their mirror finish and feature sharper relief than found on coins made for circulation. The coins in the “Historic Rarities” display are part of a larger collection transferred to the Smithsonian by the U.S. Mint in the 1920s.

“This traveling display provides an opportunity to showcase extraordinary and rare proof coins, including an 1818 silver half-dollar proof which our curator recently reclassified as unique as it is the only one made at the time,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. This display represents the museum’s second appearance at the Baltimore convention.

“NGC and NCS are immensely proud to be presenting sponsors of this exhibition; proof coinage and Paquet’s pattern demonstrate first hand the beauty of coinage and the active human role of designers and engravers. Showcasing these rarities is a wonderful opportunity for the numismatic community,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

The display is divided into four sections: Early Proofs, 1843 Proofs, the Anthony Paquet double eagle pattern and Baltimore national currency proofs.The objects in the group of early proofs include coins of several denominations dating from 1818 to 1821. The coins were minted in several different metals, including copper, silver and gold. The group dated 1821 is likely the only such grouping in existence.

The set of coins dated 1843 includes rare examples of the artistry and evolving techniques of the period, including coins of which fewer than 10 examples survive today. Here, visitors will see an 1838-O half dollar from New Orleans , a legendary coin among collectors as only about a dozen of them survive.

The 1860 double eagle pattern is unique because of its special Paquet reverse and the fact that it was struck in gold. All other examples of this coin were struck in copper. The fourth set of items will be of special interest to Baltimore residents because it includes paper proofs of currency circulated by Baltimore’s national banks. The two paper proofs provide a window into the city’s prominent role in American banking during the immediate post-Civil War period.

The “Historic Rarities” display draws from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which consists of more than 1.5 million objects, including coins, medals and paper currency and preserves the role of money in economic history. Previously, the museum has sent displays to Denver and Orlando. Each exhibition in the traveling coin program is designed specifically for its particular venue.

Background

The “Historic Rarities: Early United States Proof Coins,” traveling display will appear at the World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore from July 30 to Aug. 3, located at the Baltimore Convention Center, One W. Pratt Street in Baltimore.

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America and Numismatic Conservation Services LLC are the presenting sponsors of the exhibition. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America certifies and authenticates rare coins, tokens and medals. Numismatic Conservation Services is the sole professional service dedicated only to the conservation of numismatic objects. Both NGC and NCS are independent members of the Certified Collectibles Group, headquartered in Sarasota, Fla.

The National Museum of American History is currently closed for major renovations and will re-open in fall 2008. For information about the museum, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu or call Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

Released August 1, 2007, Smithsonian, National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center. Download as PDF

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1. Money Talks at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: New Display of Numismatic Rarities
2. Money Talks at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: New Display of Numismatic Rarities
3. United States Mint and Smithsonian Institution Announce Plans for Traveling Numismatic Exhibition