The Smithsonian -- worth a visit?

mrfred · January 28, 2003 3:56AM

I'll be in Washington DC in March and I have a free half-day -- a Saturday afternoon.
Is the coin exhibit at the Smithsonian worth a visit? Thanks for any feedback in advance.

Mikey · January 28, 2003 3:59AM

Most definitely. I went there about 15 years ago and every one of the museums was well worth the visit.

Baley · January 28, 2003 4:00AM

oh, dude, if you have any interest at all in coins, it's a DONT MISS, what a display!

spent a weekend in DC a few years ago, saw most of Smithsonian exhibits once and the only place I visited twice was the coin rooms.

JLW · January 28, 2003 4:00AM

I'd go back in a heartbeat. Only been there once as part of a tour group, only had 2 hours to see everything. (Yeah right!)
Joe

tradedollarnut · January 28, 2003 4:01AM

Yes, but prepare to be a bit disappointed. The display is not commensurate with the coins. They should sell one of their two 1933 Saints and use the money to upgrade.

MadMonk · January 28, 2003 4:02AM

I've been there. I had a lot of fun. Some coins were obviously cleaned. Paper money also represented.
You have to decide for your self how much fun it was. If classics don't turn you on, ....get my point?
Went to other areas of the Smithsonian that were equally nice. Also went to the National Gallery.
Museum under Ford's theatre was cool. B.E.P. was cool also. Got an uncut sheet of dollars there.
Just get some info before you go, and plan your rounds. I was awe stricken with all the Architecture, history, scale of the buildings. If you gor lot's of money, and love seafood, go to "Legal Seafood" Very fresh, safe food.
biggest point. plan your day!!!

keithdagen · January 28, 2003 4:03AM

The displays suck, but the coins are neat to see. Sadly, many of the rarities have obviously been cleaned and it shows.

Johnscoin · January 28, 2003 4:05AM

You know, it is a great display. However, the time I went to see it (last March), the 1933s weren't exhibited. I was heart-broken. Also, you might want to catch it while you can. From what I heard from a guy that researches there, they are going to be closing down the exhibit soon...That's very sad...
Hope you get to see it!
John

airplanenut · January 28, 2003 4:10AM

Great stuff there... the gold is amazing!

SethChandler · January 28, 2003 4:10AM

Let's see, when I was there I saw.......
in one case
Three 1804 Dollars
Two 1933 Saints
1849 Twenty (probably the most valuable coin in the world)

Plus the Lilly collection of US Gold....practically a complete set. There is an amazing feeling going through your body when you're looking at a wall of Proof Twenty Libs.

If this is the kind of stuff you like, then by all means go!

P.S. The actual exhibits that showcase the coins suck. It definately needs the Dwight Manley touch.

cladking · January 28, 2003 4:31AM

It was great! But most everything at the Smithsonian was great. It is extremely
deficient in modern coins though. Their clad display looked like pocket change.

Tootawl · January 28, 2003 4:37AM

It's a great place if you like classic gold coins. They are lack in everything else. The Air & Space museum has a better respresentation of items.

IndianHeadMan · January 28, 2003 4:44AM

<< It was great....Their clad display looked like pocket change. >>

Exactly! I concur.

dbldie55 · January 28, 2003 4:47AM

<< Their clad display looked like pocket change. >>

That is what clad's are!

cladking · January 28, 2003 5:10AM

<< 

That is what clad's are! >>

Not the ones in most collections.

Steve · January 28, 2003 5:46AM

Can anyone who has been to the Smithsonian coin collection IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS please comment on what is available to see there NOW? I had heard that they are in the process of closing it down for lack of money to support the exhibit. Does anyone know the real story? Thanks, Steve

dbldie55 · January 28, 2003 5:55AM

<< 

<< 

That is what clad's are! >>

Not the ones in most collections. >>

You yourself claim that millions are collecting coins out of change for albums etc (in fact that is all you ever write, that and they are rare) and the market will explode when these collectors start to want upper grades. Now you are saying everyone only collects the upper grades. So which one is it? Which group has more collectors, you keep changing your story.

Are a majority of people collecting coins for albums out of change, or are a majority of people only collecting coins that have never been in change. All of my clad sets came from pocket change, so I fit one of your groups but not the other (need to know if I fall in the majority).

I also find it hard to believe that anyone (other than you) would go to the Smithsonian to look at a collection of circulation strike clad coins.

Tootawl · January 28, 2003 6:23AM

I might run up to DC sometime this weekend. If I do, I'll report back.

ccr · January 28, 2003 6:32AM

I was there in 1989. I wasn`t collecting coins then but heavily into music. Still am to some respect but was in complete awe to see a Stratavareous. Saw Archie`s chair that was in the lobby of one of the buildings across the asile of Duke Ellington`s Steinway ( I think thats how it`s spelled ). There`s several buildings that comprise the Smithsonian ( as I was told at the time ) and the building I was in was about a quarter mile from the Washington Monument.

Ace · January 28, 2003 8:32AM

I was there in November, and I felt the coin collection was not what I expected. A very small part of the museum that could easily be overlooked unless you were looking for it. The amount of gold was impressive as to the variety and depth. Make a list of the coins that you really want to see, so you don't overlook them, which is easy to do. My favorite part, though was seeing the actual "Star Spangled Banner" which was on display in the room where they were restoring (cleaning) it.

Conder101 · January 28, 2003 9:57PM

<< I had heard that they are in the process of closing it down for lack of money to support the exhibit. >>

That would be highly annoying considering that that was what the surcharges for the Smithsonian commemoratives were supposed to fund (originally 100% of surcharges were to endow the national collection, then it got cut to 50% with the rest going into the museums general fund, and then the 50% for the endowment was diverted into salaries. And I'm not sure if they ever actually received the money due to the matching funds requirement. Alctually I would be curious to know if ANY of the surchages we pay for these commemoratives is actually getting to the organizations they are supposed to. I know the Olympics has been, but I'm not sure about anyone else.)

mrfred · January 29, 2003 2:37AM

(back to the top...)

Hi folks -- thanks for all these thoughtful posts. Barring unforseen circumstances, I will go there that Saturday afternoon -- 22 March I believe it is. I'll post a report whenever I get back online thereafter.

I'd hate to see this exhibit get closed!

And I *love* looking at gold. No worries on that score

Tootawl · January 29, 2003 2:47AM

It is true. The Smithsonian is a series of different buildings along the mall in DC. There's the Air & Space, Natural History, the Castle, various art museums, etc.

The building you want to see is the American History Museum. If you're facing the U.S. Capital, it will be on the left hand side almost directly across the mall from the Air & Space museum. The Natural History museum is next door to the American History museum. If memory serves me correctly, the coins are on the second floor.

Mrfred, Send me a PM a week or two before you come to DC. If you want, I'll drive up and meet you someplace.

gsaguy · January 29, 2003 2:51AM

It's been many years since I visited but remember that I was somewhat disappointed with the coin exhibits. Since my time was somewhat limited, I ended up spending most of it at the Natural History Museum.

GSAGUY

relayer · January 29, 2003 4:32AM

Only if you want to be depressed after comparing it to your collection

newsman · January 29, 2003 1:41PM

I work in DC, so I can go there fairly often. They've got a great collection if you overlook the heavy layer of dust on some of the coins in the display cases. Also, try not to drool -- the guards get upset if you do

Twowood · January 29, 2003 8:04PM

Plan to spend an entire day at the Smithsonian...every American should at one time or another. Also, don't miss the Space Museum...It too, is a Must !!!!. Twowood

dorkkarl · January 29, 2003 8:19PM

the coins on display are NOT where the "good stuff" is. if you really want to be blown away, you have to get into "the vault", which can be done only w/ references. i guarantee, you will be absolutely blown away, you've NEVER seen anything like it.

let me just say this, get into "the vault", & your life will change.

you heard it here first.

K S

The Smithsonian -- worth a visit?

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