NGC and NCS Host Smithsonian Exhibit Opening Reception

Legendary Coins & Currency opened on Thursday, December 8, 2005 in a true celebration of Numismatics. The Smithsonian Institution’s new exhibit displays 56 of the most renowned items from its National Numismatic Collection, focused around the central question "what makes a coin legendary?" The exhibit, which is also sponsored by NGC and NCS, is currently the only display of coins at the Smithsonian and will remain throughout the year in the Smithsonian Castle. Included are many pieces which have never before been displayed.

View of the Exhibit Hall

The Director of the National Museum of American History, Brent Glass, made opening remarks and expressed appreciation to the numismatic community for its involvement with this project. Chairman of NGC and NCS, Mark Salzberg, also delivered an address in which he discussed the opportunity for the numismatic community to reach outside of its own ranks to spread a message of the relevance and significance of coins as tools to understanding our collective history. Salzberg’s full remarks can be read online.

NGC and NCS Chairman Mark Salzberg delivers address at Legendary Coins & Currency exhibit opening reception.

Also on display was a small but important guest exhibit of three coins. The coins on display were an 1884 Trade Dollar NGC PF66 and an 1885 Trade Dollar NGC PF 66, both from the Eliasberg collection. The 1885 Trade Dollar is of special note because the National Numismatic Collection is absent this legendary coin. The third coins was an 1804 Eagle graded PF 65 ULTRA CAMEO, which had not been seen publicly for many years.

A view of the guest exhibit on display at the exhibit's opening night.

The Smithsonian has created a website to showcase the exhibit, which can now be viewed online at americanhistory.si.edu/coins. More information can be found on NGC’s website in the Legendary Coins & Currency Gallery.

A crowd packs the exhibit room during its opening night.

The Smithsonian Castle's Banquet Hall seen during the reception.