Smithsonian Celebrates America’s Numismatic Renaissance in Milwaukee
Posted on 8/1/2007
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will showcase iconic objects that represent the numismatic renaissance inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt between 1907 and 1921 as part of a special traveling display. “America’s Numismatic Renaissance,” will be on view Aug. 8–12 in at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wis. as part of the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money convention.
President Roosevelt commissioned artist and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to fulfill his vision of making America’s coinage the most beautiful in the world, and by 1921, every circulating coin was redesigned. The exhibition will include a 1907 ultra high relief Double Eagle, a design still in circulation today and which features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln; a 1916 Dime, one of the so-called “Mercury” dimes that ran for 30 years; and a 1921 Peace Dollar.
“The coinage represented in ‘America’s Numismatic Renaissance’ is representative of both America’s thriving economy and artistic innovation,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. “The museum is proud to have these objects included in the Milwaukee World’s Fair of Money and to make them available to coin enthusiasts from around the nation.”
“This new exhibition makes some of the nation’s greatest coins available to inspire new collectors and build awareness of numismatics,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America and Numismatic Conservation Services, LLC. “It’s very satisfying to see this display come to life as it's exactly what our hobby needs.”
This display draws from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which consists of more than 1.5 million objects, including coins, medals and paper currency, and preserves the role of money in economic history. Previously, the museum has sent displays to Denver and Orlando, Fla. Each exhibition of the traveling coin program is designed specifically for each venue.
On View in Washington D.C.
At the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. through Jan. 2008, “Legendary Coins & Currency” displays approximately 50 objects from the NNC, featuring many objects that have never been on view or have not been on view for many years. The coins, bills, medals and captivating oddities include a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, one of the most celebrated 20th-century coins; the 1877 U.S. $50 (“Half Union”) patterns, the largest U.S. coin ever struck; and the 1849 unique Double Eagle ($20), a significant reminder of the California gold rush.
Background
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America and Numismatic Conservation Services, LLC are the presenting sponsors of the exhibition. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America certifies and authenticates rare coins, tokens and medals. Numismatic Conservation Services is the sole professional service dedicated only to the conservation of numismatic objects. Both NGC and NCS are independent members of the Certified Collectibles Group, headquartered in Sarasota, Fla.
The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Documenting the American experience from Colonial times to the present, the museum looks at growth and change in the United States. The museum is closed for major renovations and will re-open in summer 2008. For information about the museum, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu or call Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).
Released August 1, 2007, Smithsonian, National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center. Contact (202) 633-1000 or visit americanhistory.si.edu for further information.
President Roosevelt commissioned artist and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to fulfill his vision of making America’s coinage the most beautiful in the world, and by 1921, every circulating coin was redesigned. The exhibition will include a 1907 ultra high relief Double Eagle, a design still in circulation today and which features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln; a 1916 Dime, one of the so-called “Mercury” dimes that ran for 30 years; and a 1921 Peace Dollar.
“The coinage represented in ‘America’s Numismatic Renaissance’ is representative of both America’s thriving economy and artistic innovation,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. “The museum is proud to have these objects included in the Milwaukee World’s Fair of Money and to make them available to coin enthusiasts from around the nation.”
“This new exhibition makes some of the nation’s greatest coins available to inspire new collectors and build awareness of numismatics,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America and Numismatic Conservation Services, LLC. “It’s very satisfying to see this display come to life as it's exactly what our hobby needs.”
This display draws from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, which consists of more than 1.5 million objects, including coins, medals and paper currency, and preserves the role of money in economic history. Previously, the museum has sent displays to Denver and Orlando, Fla. Each exhibition of the traveling coin program is designed specifically for each venue.
On View in Washington D.C.
At the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. through Jan. 2008, “Legendary Coins & Currency” displays approximately 50 objects from the NNC, featuring many objects that have never been on view or have not been on view for many years. The coins, bills, medals and captivating oddities include a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, one of the most celebrated 20th-century coins; the 1877 U.S. $50 (“Half Union”) patterns, the largest U.S. coin ever struck; and the 1849 unique Double Eagle ($20), a significant reminder of the California gold rush.
Background
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America and Numismatic Conservation Services, LLC are the presenting sponsors of the exhibition. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America certifies and authenticates rare coins, tokens and medals. Numismatic Conservation Services is the sole professional service dedicated only to the conservation of numismatic objects. Both NGC and NCS are independent members of the Certified Collectibles Group, headquartered in Sarasota, Fla.
The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Documenting the American experience from Colonial times to the present, the museum looks at growth and change in the United States. The museum is closed for major renovations and will re-open in summer 2008. For information about the museum, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu or call Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).
Released August 1, 2007, Smithsonian, National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center. Contact (202) 633-1000 or visit americanhistory.si.edu for further information.
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