Frequently Asked Questions

A. The Society has a long and distinguished history, reaching back almost 140 years to 1858, when it was organized. (For details, see these historical resources). Since its inception, it has continued to play a definitive role in numismatics both in the United States and overseas, serving as both a repository and research center for serious students of numismatics for generations.

Q. What is the current membership of the ANS?

A. The ANS currently has over 2,000 members. Membership classes are divided into three groups: 1) Associates (open to all with a serious interest in numismatics; 2) Fellows and Honorary Fellows (limited to a maximum of 200 and empowered to vote on Society business); and 3) Corresponding Members (open to selected foreign scholars of distinction).

Q. How can I join the ANS?

A. The membership of the ANS is comprised of mainly academics, serious collectors and professional numismatists, concentrated in the United States, but with a substantial international component. Applicants for membership are proposed for election by the Society's Council at its regular meetings. There are several different levels of membership which are described in more detail in the Membership section of this website.

Q. As a Repository for Numismatics, what are the particular strengths of the ANS collections?

A. The numismatic collection now numbers over three-quarter million coins and related objects, and is of international caliber, rivaled only by the largest state collections of Europe. Both large study collections and great rarities are present in the holdings. The Society's cabinet is particularly strong in Ancient Greek, as well as the Roman Republican period issues. Also the Islamic cabinet is of exceptional breadth and depth. Other areas of notable strength are found in the Far Eastern, particularly the Chinese material; the Latin American, and the United States, both the Colonial series and the Federal issues, as well as private coinages. Very expert Curators are attendant in each of these areas.

Q. And what of the ANS Library?

A. The ANS Library is also an exceptional resource for all those interested in numismatics. The Library houses over 100,000 items, comprised of bound volumes, pamphlets, manuscripts, and auction catalogues, as well as microforms. There is also on-site access to the fully catalogued collections by title, subject and author, which is facilitated by a specially designed subject guide and authority file, and a most competent Library staff.  Due to the one-of-a-kind nature of many of the Library items, these items are not loaned out off-site.

Q. Are there exhibits at the ANS Building?

A. On June 18, 2004, The American Numismatic Society officially opened its new headquarters at 96 Fulton Street (and the corner of William Street) in lower Manhattan. The second phase of the development - the opening of an exhibition hall - is planned for completion in 2007/8.  Until the exhibition hall opens, the ANS currently has two major exhibitions on view at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Drachmas Doubloons and Dollars: The History of Money which includes over 800 examples of the Society's noted collection including the Brasher doubloon, the 1804 dollar, the Confederate States half-dollar, and the world most valuable coin the 1933 Double Eagle (on loan). On view also is the exhibition Full Circle: The Olympic Heritage in Coins and Medals which celebrates the return of he summer Olympics to Athens, Greece, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is located at 33 Liberty Street (between Nassau and William Streets). Walk-in visitors are welcome from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday (except bank holidays).

Q. How is the ANS organized?

A.The governing body of the ANS is its Council, which numbers 20 Fellows, elected to five-year terms in classes of four. Officers are elected annually. Day-to-day operations are administered by a full time professional staff coordinated by the Society's Director.

The wide-ranging work of the Society is divided among seven departments: Curatorial (in turn comprised of five specialty areas, each overseen by an experienced Curator: Greek, Roman & Byzantine, Islamic & Far Eastern, Medieval & Medals, and Modern); Library; Editorial; Education (entirely grant-funded); Photography; Development; and Administrative. Staff members can be reached by phone or e-mail.

Q. What Educational Programs are sponsored by the ANS?

A. The ANS conducts a Graduate Seminar in Numismatics each summer for the last forty-five years which is regarded as a premier educational opportunity for those seriously interested in numismatics. Also the ANS administers a doctoral fellowship program, as well as a museum internship, and other grants. Public lectures and conferences are held each year, and the ANS participates in jointly-sponsored symposia at major cities around the U.S.  One of the annual highlights in the fall at the ANS is the Coinage of the Americas Conference, which focuses on different aspects of numismatics in the Western Hemisphere.

Q. What does the ANS Publish?

A. In addition to the quarterly ANSNewsletter for its membership to keep current on ANS activities, the Society publishes in a variety of book series. Since the end of World War II the ANS has published a semiannual bibliography of numismatic writings, entitled simply, Numismatic Literature. (These are gradually being made available online through the efforts of the Harry Bass Research Foundation). The American Journal of Numismatics is the ANS's annual journal publication.

The Society also continues to publish two monographic series, which have accounted for a total of 185 titles on numismatic subjects to date; as well as ongoing catalogue projects such as Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum (publishing the Society's Ancient Greek collection), and Ancient Coins in North American Collections (which reports notable private and public collections not generally accessible to the numismatic scholar). Finally, the ANS also publishes special series, such as exhibit catalogues and conference Proceedings volumes, including their Annual Report.

Q. What Affiliations does the ANS hold?

A. The ANS is a constituent member of the American Council of Learned Societies. It is also a supporting member of the American Academy in Rome and of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens.