Taking a trip to Philly this weekend....anything Numismatic besides the Mint?

AnkurJ · September 19, 2008 1:42PM

I wanted to go to the Mint but they are closed on the weekend. Any other historical coin museums or areas in Philly?

Ankur

Tootawl · September 19, 2008 1:57PM

Ben Franklin's grave is across the street from the Mint. If you face the front of the US Mint, it's towards your right. That's sorta numismatic related.

OneCent · September 19, 2008 2:01PM

<< Ben Franklin's grave is across the street from the Mint. If you face the front of the US Mint, it's towards your right. That's sorta numismatic related. >>

I drive past it everyday on the way to the office. Can't say that I've seen a day when there wasn't a penny on the tomb.

… · September 19, 2008 2:02PM

i took a tour of the mint. big disappointment.

oreville · September 19, 2008 2:09PM

Independence Hall
Liberty Bell

not coin museums but they are the real thing.

Tootawl · September 19, 2008 2:18PM

<< 

<< Ben Franklin's grave is across the street from the Mint. If you face the front of the US Mint, it's towards your right. That's sorta numismatic related. >>

I drive past it everyday on the way to the office. Can't say that I've seen a day when there wasn't a penny on the tomb. >>

Like these:

YaHa · September 19, 2008 2:46PM

Don't forget the Philly cheesesteak sanwiches on 4th street. Also on 4th around 8pm the hookers come out and play. So what out for your coin.

AgEagle · September 19, 2008 2:51PM

Having spent 37 of my 42 years living in suburban Philadelphia, I can tell you that you may not be in numismatic heaven, but you are, however, in (one of) American history heaven. Rather than belabor the obvious, I would submit to you a short trip (30 - 45 min) to Chadds Ford. If you like wine, you will enjoy this winery. In addition, there is the Brandywine Battlefield. If you are interested in gardening you can also visit Longwood Gardens. However, in keeping it coin related, there appears to be a show nearby in Trevose.

Ag

acsb · September 19, 2008 2:57PM

Or you could take a bit of a drive up the NJTpke and go see the NYG-CIN game.

That's what I'm doing...

Artist · September 19, 2008 3:56PM

I cannot think of anything directly coin related, but indirectly sure! The following places all informed my appreciation of our Nation's coins in one manner or another...

As others have mentioned, Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell are very close to the Mint. For me, seeing both in person was more powerful than I could have anticipated. I now feel a sense of ownership when I view a Franklin Reverse, Bicentennial Half Reverse, or Sesquicentennial Quarter Eagle that my experience visiting these places imparted me with. As a coin collector, I think these places are MUST SEE - maybe even more than the Mint itself.

The America Philosophical Society Museum is also a neat nearby place to see. As I recall, collection emphasizes science & natural history not just as it is relevant today, but also it provides some perspective on the relevance of these subjects to our Founding Fathers as they watched the mysteries of the new continent unfold.

The Constitution Center This place sort of feels made for field trips - go on any given weekday and you are likely to see scores of bored eighth graders not paying attention. Still, I enjoyed my experience there. The place is sort of set up like a giant multi-media walk through the Constitution, and for all its hoki-ness, it did broaden my appreciation for & understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

The City Tavern is then a great place to have lunch or dinner if you want to keep your Colonial America buzz going. A little pricey for what you get food wise, but the experience makes up the difference and then some.

oxy8890 · September 19, 2008 4:17PM

<< Or you could take a bit of a drive up the NJTpke and go see the NYG-CIN game.

That's what I'm doing... >>

SWEET!!!!

Or you could catch the Iggles hostin da Steelas.

firstmint · September 19, 2008 5:16PM

The National Archives (containing many of the U.S. Mint documents) is located at 9th and Chestnut in the FRB building. That's got more than the people at the Mint in Philly even know about. The newer U.S. Mint material (or what's left of it) is located in Washington DC.

The NARA office used to be open one Saturday per month.

Barry · September 19, 2008 9:33PM

I haven't been there in a number of years, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology had a display of ancient coins when I was there.

Connecticoin · September 19, 2008 9:58PM

<< i took a tour of the mint. big disappointment. >>

Did you see the nice collections of cleaned classic commems and fugly toned state quarters?

TavernTreasures · September 19, 2008 10:00PM

Maybe you could look for the site of the original US mint.

RWB · September 20, 2008 3:49AM

You could look for coins in the street gutter ... near major hotels and street vendors are the best spots.

lope208 · September 20, 2008 4:00AM

I live in Philadelphia. Great city. If you get a chance, take a stroll through Chestnut Hill. I just did and 2 1/2 years after I moved here, I'm still finding things I never knew about.

If you are in Center City though, grab some lunch at the Reading Terminal Market at 12th and Arch, basically at the Convention Center.

Taking a trip to Philly this weekend....anything Numismatic besides the Mint?

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