The
National Numismatic Collection got its start in 1838 when James Smithson, an
Englishman who had never set foot on American soil, bequeathed some 105,000 gold
sovereigns (about equivalent to $500,000) to the United States government. This
bequest was designated for the establishment of housing for artifacts relating
to the United States, and resulted in the Smithsonian Institution. The first
building of the Smithsonian was a red brick building called the “Castle.” Among
the items initially housed and displayed there was a copy of our Constitution,
as well as other financial and historic documents and artifacts of our still
young nation.
As
our Mint and Treasury Department already had examples of the early coinage of
our country (including dies, and patterns), their collections were sent to the
Castle for display. For the next 100 years the collection was a featured
display of interest; according the their visitor references, it attracted large
numbers of visitors. It was a popular exhibit as many visitors from here and
abroad who collected coins as a hobby or just as keepsakes, enjoyed seeing the items
that were on display. These exhibits of coins and currency gave insight into
the nation’s financial growth over its history. Treasury officials and the U.S.
Mint added to the collection over time, to continue this record of commercial
growth. By 1914 the display had grown significantly and a Coin Hall was established
featuring about 6,000 coins of the United States and other parts of the world.
The coins were housed in long flat display trays, on one of the lower levels of
the Castle. Over time the collection grew and it was appreciated by many.
In
1955 two great curators Dr. and Mrs. Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli joined the
Smithsonian numismatic staff. Their knowledge and dedication brought with it a
drive to make the collection more extensive and get a larger display area in
the new building that was being built, near the old Castle on Constitution
Avenue in Washington D.C. In 1964 the National Numismatic Collection was moved
to the new building, and was set up in a display room of its own, measuring
close to 3,000 square feet. When the Clain-Stefanellis took over the collection
it numbered 64.000 items. Under their dedicated leadership, by the turn of the
21st century the collection grew to more than one million and a half items,
from all over the world. This growth was unimaginable when they took over. Many
collectors and some institutions sent coins to enhance the National Numismatic
Collection and make it an even better reflection of financial history.
Among
the donors were Catherine Bullowa, Mrs. Wayte Raymond, Mrs. F.C.C. Boyd, Andrew
C. Zabriskie, Fred Hauck, Mr. and Mrs., Kenneth Packard, Fredrick MacKay,
Honorable R. Henry Norweb and his wife Emery May Norweb, Mortimer Neinken,
Henry Crowfoot, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Chase Bank Money Exhibit,
Alfred Bloomingdale, and the Stack family (consisting of Morton, Joseph B.,
Harvey G., Norman C., Benjamin, and Lawrence R. — some 62,000 items,
covered by 750 gift receipts), Harry Warshaw, Willis Dupont, Edward Gans,
Charles Cormich, Mr. and Mrs. James Leigh, Leonard Finn, Philip Chase,
David Rockefeller, the United States Mint (additions to its initial
contributions) and many other well known collectors.
