Press Release: Curators Arnold-Biucchi and Stahl Resign

New York, NY, February 3, 2000 - The American Numismatic Society (ANS) announced today the resignations of Dr. Alan M. Stahl and Dr. Carmen Arnold-Biucchi. Dr. Stahl was the Curator of Medieval Coins and of Medals at the Society. Dr. Stahl’s last day at the ANS was Wednesday, January 26, 2000. Dr. Arnold-Biucchi was the Margaret Thompson Curator of Greek Coins and her last day at the ANS was Tuesday, February 1, 2000.

In October, 1999 the Society’s staff was informed that in order to cut its large operating deficit, staff salary cuts were needed at the ANS. In late November, 1999 curatorial and security staff were offered voluntary early-out packages. After a special ANS meeting on January 15, 2000, at which many ANS members asked for a reconsideration of the early-out plan for curators, the ANS offered all of the curators the opportunity to stay at the ANS for at least another year.

Dr. Ute Wartenberg, Executive Director of the American Numismatic Society said, "We are greatly saddened by both departures. I had assured Alan that we did value his work and wanted him to stay, despite the changes currently happening at the Society. On his notice of resignation, he and the ANS agreed to an early-out package. In terms of Carmen’s resignation, I am deeply disappointed in her decision. Her chair is not affected at all by any budget cuts since it is an endowed position. I respect both of their decisions and wish them all the best in the future."

The ANS Council, the governing body of the organization, will decide on a date for filling the position of the Margaret Thompson Curator of Greek Coins. The chair, named after the renowned ANS Greek curator and scholar, Margaret Thompson, is endowed by a restricted fund to provide the salary and expenses of the named curatorial position.

The American Numismatic Society (ANS), founded in 1858, is a non-profit international center for the preservation and study of coins, medals and paper money, representing more than 2,500 years of material culture. The ANS collection contains close to one million objects and spans all periods and geographic areas, including Greek and Roman, medieval and modern European, American, Islamic, Asian and African coins, as well as other materials. In addition, the ANS holds the world’s finest numismatic library, which is also strong in non-numismatic monographs and references on history, art, economics, language and culture. Both the collection and the library are open to the public. Inquiries regarding the collections may be sent to the attention of the ANS Duty Curator.

For further information, contact Vanessa Samet at (212) 234-3130 ext. 209.