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Loading ...This video highlights some of the coins in the National Numismatic Collection which is part of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The Numismatic Collection is said to contain over 1.6 million items with over 450,000 of them being coins, so it understandable why this video only shows some of the more interesting pieces.
Listed below are a few of the coins shown:
- 1804 $1 - Type 1
- 1849 $20 Liberty Double Eagle
- 1907 Ultra High Relief $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle
- 1913 Liberty Nickel (only 5 known to exist)
- 1974 Aluminum Cent
- 1776 Continental Currency (Pewter)
The story of the Smithsonian itself is an interesting one, and really tied to coinage.
James Smithson was a British scientist who never actually set foot in the United States. He was quite a wealthy man and only had one heir, a nephew. In Smithson's will, he bequeathed that if his nephew should pass without heirs of his own, the Smithson estate should be given to the United States government for starting an "...establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men."
When James Smithson's nephew passed away without having any children, a shipment was sent to the United States which contained the bequest of 104,960 British pounds, all in gold sovereigns. Congress, after some debate, accepted the money and created the Smithsonian Institution. All but two of the gold sovereigns were melted down and re-struck as US coins with the money being entrusted to the Institute. The two remaining sovereigns were kept by the Institute and became some of the first of millions of artifacts the museum would eventually care for and hold.
All of the coins in the collection really belong to the people of the United States and pride should be taken in the great care that is provided for them.
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US $4,599.00
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