Smithsonian Hall of Money and Medals Closing -Washington Post Article

allegri

Hi,

Saw this in the Post this morning:

Closing of The Hall of Money and Medals

Sad to see a collection like this no longer on public view.

-Brian

Pistareen

Not a bad article really, but they screwed up an important fact -- Doug Mudd is going to be the new curator at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) not the ANS. The ANA is lucky to have him.

Having worked in the museum field in the past, I can see why they are taking this step, but it is still a bit disappointing. We can only hope that other curators at the NMAH will know enough about coins to use them as intepretive additions to other thematic displays. Hopefully the access the SI has been nice enough to provide to researchers will remain.

3Legs

I saw this exhibit a few years ago. It was simply amazing. I can't imaging not keeping them all together in one spot, one collection, for all to see.

oreville

I was under the impression that money was raised to move and place the museum at the US Treasury Building in Washington, DC or was it at the US Mint in Philadelphia?

Bustman

I am glad I had the chance to see the exhibit a few months ago. While I was amazed by seeing all those great rarities in one place, I very was dissapointed in the condition of the exhibit. I guess there just wasn't enough interest in the exhibit to care for it and keep it going.

newsman

<< <i>Not a bad article really, but they screwed up an important fact -- Doug Mudd is going to be the new curator at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) not the ANS. The ANA is lucky to have him. >>



That's not the only fact they screwed up. Aren't there only five 1913 Liberty nickels? The article says six.

Sunnywood

Thank Goodness they are closing that exhibit. It was dreadful. The Smithsonian has a magnificent collection, most of which is mothballed. Even what was on display in that pathetic, dingy, ill-kept, outdated and poorly designed exhibit forms only a tiny fraction of the treasures that are wasted in the Smithsonian (not unlike the ANS in New York, which also has a magnificent collection of rarities locked away).

I remember going to the Smithsonian as a small boy and seeing a very different, and much nicer exhibit. But for those who are students of history, I have seen photographs and drawings of the original display of the National Mint Cabinet from the 19th century. The collection was housed in a magnificent room with ornate decor and beautiful display. Too bad such things are but a distant memory.

Why must everything, including the design and quality of our coinage itself, necessarily become debased and devoid of aesthetic and artistic merit over time? As society "advances," our standard of living is supposed to rise. Instead we become drowned in an ugly sea of banal contemporary style born of economic efficiency. Craftsmanship and beautiful detail are replaced by widgets and faceless concrete excrescences.

So, while I applaud the closing of the dingy dreadful hall of shame at the Smithsonian, I shudder to think what the next iteration of our cultural decline will produce when the exhibit re-opens. I certainly hope I will be pleasantly surprised.

Best,
Sunnywood

rainbowroosie

I agree the display was a lame attempt, but it would border on a crime to close the display permanently. Speak to your Congressman and tell him it is important...five or six Congressmen can move amountain of naysayers in DC.