National Numismatic Collection
Encyclopedia
The National Numismatic Collection is the national coin cabinet
of the United States
. The collection is part of the Smithsonian Institution
's National Museum of American History
.
and related items. In total the collection contains over 1.6 million objects, including 450,000 coins, medals and decorations and 1.1 million pieces of paper money.
Cabinet (room)
A cabinet was one of a number of terms for a private room in the domestic architecture and that of palaces of early modern Europe, a room serving as a study or retreat, usually for a man. The cabinet would be furnished with books and works of art, and sited adjacent to his bedchamber, the...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The collection is part of the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
's National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Among the items on display are the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's...
.
Overview
The National Numismatic Collection is one of the world's largest collections of coins, paper currency, exonumiaExonumia
Exonumia are numismatic items other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and other similar items...
and related items. In total the collection contains over 1.6 million objects, including 450,000 coins, medals and decorations and 1.1 million pieces of paper money.
History
As of 2004, the exhibit housing the Collection was the last surviving exhibit from the Smithsonian Museum of American History's original 1964 arrangement. In late 2004, the exhibit was closed, and the Collection returned to the Smithsonian's vaults. Only a few dozen of the Collection's most notable specimens remain on display today.Noteworthy items in the collection
- A gold 20 Excelentes coin of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain
- Brasher half doubloon
- All three types of the 1804 silver dollar1804 silver dollarThe 1804 Silver Dollar is a United States dollar coin considered to be one of the rarest and most famous coins in the world, due to its unique history. Divided into "Classes," 15 specimens are known. Eight comprise Class I, which were minted in 1834. Two Class I specimens trace their lineage to the...
- 1849 Double eagleDouble EagleA Double Eagle is a gold coin of the United States with a denomination of $20. . The coins are made from a 90% gold and 10% copper alloy....
- Two 1877 fifty dollar patterns
- One 1913 Liberty Head nickel1913 Liberty Head NickelThe 1913 Liberty Head nickel is an American five-cent piece which was produced in extremely limited quantities without the authority of the United States Mint, making it one of the best-known and most coveted rarities in American numismatics...
- Two 1933 Double Eagle1933 Double EagleThe 1933 double eagle currently holds the record for the highest price paid at auction for a single U.S. coin when it was purchased for US$7.59 million...
s - The 1974 aluminum cent1974 aluminum centThe 1974 aluminium cent was a one-cent coin proposed by the United States Mint in 1973. It was composed of an alloy of aluminium and trace metals, and intended to replace the predominantly copper–zinc cent due to the rising costs of coin production in the traditional bronze alloy. 1,571,167 were...