Smithsonian numismatic treasures
Raufus
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We're doing a brief staycation in DC to take in some of the America 250 events & displays.
We spent some time in the Smithsonian American History museum today.
It was just incredible seeing the numismatic treasures there. They had been off display for a while. They're back now.
I figured that there had to be some threads w the current display. I searched prior to posting this not wanting to duplicate a prior post. I didn't see any, so I thought I'd share a few images. If this is a duplicate of a prior thread my apologies. I didn't see it.
In no particular order...
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If you thought slab prongs were bad ...
I remember seeing the Smithsonian Institution coin exhibit in the late 1960s after the SI acquired the Eli Lilly collection of gold coins. Very rare US coins were held in place using small blobs of wax as an adhesive to the backboard. I was horrified to see a couple of proof gold coins had come lose and had fallen to the bottom of the vertical display case. I was convinced that whoever put this display together knew nothing about coins and how to care for them.
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It looks like they redid the exhibit some since the last time I was there. Definitely a must see if you are in the area. Thanks for sharing.
I wonder if there has ever been a book with great photography on the collection. If not, instead of updating the 100 greatest coins, maybe this would be a nice alternative.
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They re-did it since I last saw it.
There is a lot more that I didn't take pics of. I thought that this would be well covered on the forum, so I wasn't planning on posting here until I realized that it was not or I would have taken more photos and better ones.
Its very well done.
Its just mind blowing seeing such rarities in one place.
There are some amazing early gold and gold rush items woven onto other exhibits as well.
Its amazing whats donated. I can see loaning but not donating.
Its definitely a must see for anyone on this forum.
Seriously!!!!
Is that a Brasher doubloon hanging on for dear life there? I’d take MUCH better care of it if they’d just let me have it.
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Chris
I went once, in 1989, but the numismatic exhibits were not displayed.
I also went to the British Museum once, in 1999, but very little on display. I've since read they have one of the largest collections.
Seriously!!!!
Yes. Brasher doubloon.
Very cool museum collection!
Just wish they knew how to protect coins a little more…
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@Raufus
You should have asked "Hey, can I go through the stuff you got in the back too?"
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I stopped back by to get more/better photos for u guys...
The Eisenhower coins are from a separate exhibit.
The white balance must be off. I’ve never seen an even remotely RD Wreath cent.🫢
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It appears a bit more brown.
The lighting is dim. Can't use flash. I'm not sure how to correct the white balance.
Thanks for all the exhibit pix. While in DC don't miss the Reflecting Pool. I hear it's quite striking these days.
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Woah, can you show the obverse of the continental dollar?
Unfortunately, there was no way to see the obverse.
There was a couple commenting on how beautiful the UHR Saint is. The guy noted that with gold so high its increased in value. I couldn't help but mention to him that its value isn't heavily tied to spot...
21st Century museums should be able to combat the problem of showing only half of each coin. A little innovation into coin display would be nice so we can enjoy the whole coin. Mirrors or double sided displays. Something.
My grubby hands have held most of those 🙂
Fun fact: when the old exhibit was taken down in 2003, I got to keep the mirrors mounted behind the 3 1804 dollars to show the reverses. Still have them.
Thanks for posting those, I really need to get up and see the exhibit. This of course reminded me of SaintGuru's thread about his visit, which was revived a number of times.
@Raufus: thanks for taking time with the pics & posting all this! Awesome display, but the prongs? AAARRRGGGHHH!
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