So what's in Manhattan NY a coin nut should check out?

ldhair · October 4, 2008 10:33AM

Lets say you have a few days at 17W 32nd street.
Who or what would you check out?

tightbudget · October 4, 2008 10:41AM

Federal Reserve Bank, Stacks, and umm well...

A lot.

DaveG · October 4, 2008 10:43AM

Well, you could visit:

1) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York - they have a very nice display on the history of money (including the 1933 double eagle) that you can see anytime. If you make a reservation in advance, you can take the tour and see the gold vault. (If you're interested in financial history you could wander around the Wall Street neighborhood and see some cool buildings.)

2) the American Numismatic Society. I don't know what they have on display, but you could call and ask.

3) Stack's.

Longacre · October 4, 2008 10:45AM

Just like any trip to California isn't complete without a visit to the good doctor (i.e., Dr. Kagin), a trip to NYC isn't complete without paying homage at Stack's (even though some poor slob called Longacre did not have a good experience there).

drwstr123 · October 4, 2008 10:46AM

Grab a directory. the world is there. Good hunting.

lkrarecoins · October 4, 2008 11:43AM

Stacks, Smythe, ANS, and Jules Karp (the last 3 are all downtown). Enjoy your stay & dont flash too much jewelery...just kiddin'

CB2597 · October 4, 2008 11:44AM

57th street between 6th and 7th avenue is Stacks a really must visit place for a "coin nut" to borrow your term...A few doors further up is a place where this place have watches and coins on the window. I forgot the name right now...they have coins ...but watch out for that one if you know what i mean...bought some coins there a few years back and came out feeling like i was mugged.

tightbudget · October 4, 2008 12:15PM

I just thought of Wall Street, but I don't know if it has anything to do with coins or not...

Swampboy · October 4, 2008 12:32PM

Go to the jewelry district.
Look for a store with a Hebrew National sign in the window.
Eat.

edix2001 · October 4, 2008 12:55PM

Don't buy anything in midtown, shop downtown for far lower prices!

postalamericana · October 4, 2008 1:12PM

If you had to choose between Smythe and Stacks - Smythe should be your choice. Smythe's is a more warm and welcoming environment (even for NYC). I work just two blocks from Stacks and I'm sorry but I never feel welcome when I walk in the door and don't even bother any more. Every time I have to go downtown for business I go the Smythe's. I always check out there website for items of interest and ask for those specifically when I am there. They have lots of retail currency, coins and stock certificates. I never walk out of there empty handed. From your location near Penn Station take the "1" subway (right at Penn Station) going south and get off at the Rector Street stop. Smythe's is just a half a block away. The World Trade Center sight is only a block away from Smythe's also.

ldhair · October 4, 2008 6:07PM

Thanks everyone.
Just the info I needed.

CB2597 · October 4, 2008 10:15PM

Just a follow up...I visited Stacks for the very first time ever a couple of weeks ago...After passing by for so many years without going in because of what some of the board members mentioned previously. I was Pleasantly surprised that is not the case with me and the other people who were there when i came inside Stacks.

Ask for the guy who is seated near the window by the street . You will see him the moment you walk in the door .The name is Jack McNamara...very friendly guy and very helpful. Same case with their security guard Jose. He welcomes you with a friendly smile and very polite and talks to the customers waiting to be attended to. So don't short change yourself by not giving them a visit since your here in NY anyway.

Pistareen · October 5, 2008 2:04AM

Go check out the Victory statue at 59th and 5th -- it's by Saint Gaudens and is the inspiration for the standing figure on the coins.

Also, there is a Saint Gaudens playground on the east side in the 20s (maybe 2nd Ave and 26th or so?) -- it's near where he grew up and even has his portrait on the gate. Incidentally, Teddy Roosevelt's childhood home is a few blocks away, though they didn't know each other as kids.

The Federal Reserve Bank has an impressive display right now, thanks to the ANS.

Stack's is also pretty key to go see. You might also check out the Museum of American Financial History downtown.

If you want to buy some awful looking fakes to show off here and ask everyone if they're real or not, the newest imports from China are available on Canal Street!

mattniss · October 5, 2008 5:03AM

The Saint Gaudens playground is on 2nd Ave between 20th and 21st, by the way - I walk past it everyday to and from work.

ldhair · October 12, 2008 12:46PM

I was on Canal street today but never found anything coin related. What a crazy place.
The back rooms with the magnetic locks to keep the law out are just as crazy.
Stacks auctions pissed me off years ago but tomorrow I'm goining by their place.
I'm sure I'll not have many chances in the near future to check it out.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 12, 2008 1:27PM

A lot of tall buildings. I'm sure Manhattanites recognize my kind. We just look up when we're there.

centmaster · October 12, 2008 2:32PM

The Diamond District on W. 47th Street also has some coin dealers/jewelers hidden in the hoard of exclusive jewelers. You have to hunt for them and some may have only a few coins, but most don't know much about what they are. It's an easy walk since all are right on top of each other and you can just pop in and out (plus it's one of the safest blocks in the city.) I remember one guy had a shop with about 80% coins and 20% jewelry. He knew a little more than the other guys on the block, but I still found a couple of nice high grade circ. Barbers there for cheap.

DUIGUY · October 12, 2008 2:41PM

Third Battery, or as its known Castle park in the past.Text

SaorAlba · October 12, 2008 9:09PM

<< <i>57th street between 6th and 7th avenue is Stacks a really must visit place for a "coin nut" to borrow your term...A few doors further up is a place where this place have watches and coins on the window. I forgot the name right now...they have coins ...but watch out for that one if you know what i mean...bought some coins there a few years back and came out feeling like i was mugged.

>>

That last place is also rude. I asked them about coins and banknotes and they literally flopped a big pile of junk paper money into my hands. Make that place a pass at all costs, unless you like rudeness.

But Stacks is a must. They will make you want to buy something just for the pleasure of buying something there, even if it is nominal in price. But they have marvelous stuff, and it is hard to leave without thinking you cannot possibly live without some numismatic flight of fancy they have.

So what's in Manhattan NY a coin nut should check out?

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