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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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Arrangements seem somewhat random. Lacking completeness so working with what they have? Or am
I missing something.
Thank you for sharing your photos of the current public exhibits - very nice.
I agree, these were not available in any forum threads.
Related threads with photos of private showings:
---
2008 @saintguru, Steve Duckor, Ray Moore, Jeff Garrett, John Albanese, Bob B.:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/10260100/#Comment_10260100
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2014 @valente151, Luis :
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/921124/an-intimate-encounter-with-the-national-numismatic-collection-at-the-smithsonian-lots-of-photos
---
There is also an online gallery of 199 of the coins in the collection (mostly gold):
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/national-numismatic-collection
I thought I recognized you in this pic...
I focused on the more important material. There were some broad themes as noted by the signage above the displays. However, I didn't include all of the signage in the pics, so it probably seems more random than it is.
Given the magnitude of their holdings, there could be so much more. Of course, I'm sure that this could be said for many exhibits. Also, the vast majority of the public doesn't remotely have the appreciation for this magnificent collection like we do. The $100,000 bill seems to get the most attention. I'm sure that most think it's the most valuable item in the entire exhibit.
I'd sure love a private showing!! I wish I knew how that could be arranged.
What surprises me is that they did not include a sovereign, the chief coin of the world, in the above display. They probably had it in a separate display using the 1838 sovereign as an example of Smithson’s gift to America which led to establishing the Smithsonian. The sovereigns were of new mintage and melted down to be recoined into half eagles and eagles.
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This display was Lilly's gold. There were other displays that I didn't include this being the US coin forum.
We'll head back down on the 4th. I'll get more pics.
The 1933 double eagle is really chopped up. I think the Smithsonian has two. If one of the 1933 double eagles the government confiscated is better, one would think the Treasury could donate it to the Smithsonian.
If you'll forgive these being 22 year old (and unedited) photos... [edit: 22, not 23 years... taken in 2004]
A younger version of me with three 1804 dollars, an 1849 $20, 1907 ultra high relief, and 2 1933 $20s. It was quite the thrill to pull these 7 coins out of the display case and walk them through the museum in an unlocked box while the museum was open. At my side was a big guy with a gun.
Wow. Thats just incredible. Truly incredible. It's amazing that you could just walk around with them. What if you fell and they got damaged? Omg. How awesome.
How did this opportunity come about?
They took down the long-time exhibit in the summer of 2004 and invited a number of people to come and help put everything away in the vault as trays came up from the exhibit floor. Andy Lustig was invited, and somehow found a way to me an invitation, as well. We were heading out before everything was done, and when I asked about being able to see the rarities (afraid they'd come up after we left) someone from the museum staff said "come with me" and we went down the the exhibit, the glass was taken off the display cases, and I was told to load up the box. I guess however much they trusted by numismatic abilities, they also trusted my ability to walk.
A few centuries of numismatic experience, plus me:
Thanks for sharing! Numismatic experience of a lifetime!
Crazy to think about the significance - and value - of the coins in that tray!
That’s the half doubloon, which is unique.
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Thanks for the tag, it brought me back to my thread and I got to re-live it!
I still think about that 1794 $1 Copper trial often when people ask what my favorite coin is. It may not be the most valuable (or invaluable as many of these unique coins are) but man it glowed under light and was incredible. If I could have my pick from the NNC, that would be the coin!
Isn't there a 1794 Silver Dollar made in copper without any stars on the obverse?
This piece is also in the collection:
If I recall, that’s an ex PCGS MS67. When I was there, it was still in the holder’s rubber ring, but otherwise cracked out. I believe the label was also there. Stunning example.