History of the     American Numismatic Society

It was in the latter half of the 20th century that the Society evolved into the foremost numismatic research institution in the United States. Its cabinet of nearly one million objects ranks with the largest in the world and is an extraordinary resource for students of the humanities. Its unique library of over 100,000 items is the most comprehensive collection of numismatic literature in existence.

The interpretation and exploitation of these vast holdings is the responsibility of a professional staff of international reputation. Through a wide variety of programs the Society promotes recognition of the value of numismatics in reconstructing man's past, an understanding of proper numismatic method, and appreciation and use of the Society's holdings. The ANS is committed to making its resources available to the widest possible audience.

The Society's Graduate Seminar in Numismatics, established in 1952, continues today as a highly respected training program in the discipline and numbers among its alumni many scholars now in academic positions including several of the Society's current curatorial staff. The Society administers a variety of fellowships and grants designed to promote research in numismatics and encourage use of the collections. The ANS is also an important disseminator of research, and enjoys a reputation as the largest non-profit numismatic publishing house in the world, issuing books, periodicals, catalogues, and audio/visual sets in a variety of series and special issues.

 

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