The American Numismatic Society's Exhibition Opens at the Federal Reserve Bank

Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve chairman, to speak at Opening Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Don't think much about money except what you can buy with it? Come see what compelling stories coins and bills can tell! The American Numismatic Society-one of Manhattan's oldest museums-and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are pleased to announce the January 16 opening of a five-year exhibition titled "Drachmas, Doubloons and Dollars: The History of Money." William McDonough, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, will remark and officially open the exhibition with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the ribbon cutting promptly at 6:15. This is the first time that The American Numismatic Society's most valuable coins and medals have been brought together for the public to view. On display are more than 800 examples from the Society's noted collection of one million coins, bills and other forms of currency used worldwide and spanning three millennia of history.

The exhibition, the first major opening in Manhattan's financial district since September 11, is located on the first floor of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a landmark building constructed in 1924. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition space appears exactly as it was designed in the 1920s when it was used for banking transactions. Renowned early-20th-century metal artist Samuel Yellin designed and forged the iron teller cages, chandeliers and writing tables in a gracefully ornate-and sometimes whimsical-style (look for the geometric animals at the top of the teller cages).

Presented chronologically, the exhibition highlights the significance of money as political propaganda, artwork, and a reflection of social climate and economy. Items on display range in date from a 7th-century-B.C. Lydian electrum coin to recent paper money, such as a Romanian 2000-lei note commemorating the total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999. Three of the most valuable objects shown will be a Brasher doubloon, a Confederate States half-dollar and the famous 20-dollar gold piece designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Visitors will also see varied, and often strange, images depicted on coins and bills-such as a giant foot on an Alexandrian copper coin-as well as unusual examples of money, including shell money from Thailand and Native American wampum. The exhibition will include a short film and a replica of an early-19th-century mint with a period coin screw press.

The American Numismatic Society, located at Broadway and 155th Street, is a national institution advancing the study and appreciation of coins, medals and related objects of all cultures as historical and artistic documents. Founded in 1858, the ANS houses the world's finest numismatic library and America's most comprehensive collection of numismatic objects. The ANS supports scholarly research and publications, and sponsors educational and interpretive programs for diverse audiences.

Exhibition hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from January 17, 2002 through 2007 at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty Street (wheelchair access provided from the Maiden Lane entrance). Admission is free. For a guided tour of the Federal Reserve Exhibit: Fed Works, the Gold Vault or Market Group you must make an appointment, call 212-720-6130.

Take the 1or 2 train to Wall Street or Fulton Street.; the J or Z train to Fulton Street; or the 4, 5, A, or C train to Broadway-Nassau. For more information, call The American Numismatic Society at (212) 234-3130 ext. 231 or e-mail wright@amnumsoc.org.