has anyone seen the Smithsonian collection?

1907Quarter

I went back in March. What an overwhelming experience. A combined great type set. I think they had every type of American coin ever made, including many rarities, and all atleast xf if I recall correctly.
My main thought though was how each coin was mounted on the reverse since it was only the obverse that could be seen. Tape, glue?? I hope not. Also is the display in a vacuum?
The Lilly collection off to the right was amazing. Seeing so many gold proof coins was mouth-watering, but did not compare to what I felt seeing 4 Stellas right next to each other...
Surprisingly I was not as much moved by the matte-proofs and the look of the ultrahigh relief St. Gauden. The 1921 Peace doesn't do it either, must be something wrong with me!

DoubleDime

I looked at it many times and enjoyed it each and every time. I was stationed in D.C. for two years with the Marines 1977-79. It was great to see the 1804 Silver Dollar and 1913 Liberty Head Nickel along with other famous rarities.

nwcs

Remember that many museum's display pieces are electrotype copies and the real deals are stored in a secure location. I don't know about the smithsonian, but it is a common practice in museums.

mdwoods

Of course there is something wrong with you. There is something wrong with all of us. After all, what sense is there to collecting little mashed out pieces of metal. OOPS, gotta go!!!!! An auction I am bidding on is about to end.

P.S. Never been to the Smithsonian, but I hope to go someday.

TWQG

I was unimpressed with the display area, everything looked like it had been cleaned with ajax, and all the silver was black. It is the real deal though, not copies.

BSqr

8&I?

Semper Fi

RLinn

I was stationed at the Pentagon from 1987 - 1991. Went to see the coins regularly. I think the staff actually got tired of cleaning my drool off of the display glass. I did meet a curator who insisted the coins were the real deal. As he put it "We either show it or stow it, but we never fake it."

Beatlemen

Are there any rare morgan dollars on display?

HuliganRS

I'm planing on visiting there in the next few months...

Can't wait....

Rusty.

airplanenut

I went in June... my pics kinda suck I didn't realize that I had a macro lens...

Jeremy

PS- the gold is awesome, as well as the type coins... BUT... they coins are dusty!

kieferscoins

This last Summer, I took a week long class called "Numismatics for the museum professional" One of the instructors was Doug Mudd, who is a curator in the numismatic section of the Smithsonian. I believe all the coins are held on with museum wax that is inert, and suitable for the coins. The only problem is that over time, slight oxidation that appears on the coin will not go where the wax is, and if the coin is taken off the stand after 20 years, there may be a small spot in the center on the reverse that is a little lighter.

Cameron Kiefer