NEWS RELEASE

The American Numismatic Society

(212) 234-3130

info@numismatics.org

http://www.numismatics.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Pamala Plummer-Wright, Director of Development and Public Programs

wright@numismatics.org

THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY, MANHATTAN'S SECOND OLDEST MUSEUM MOVES DOWNTOWN

On June 18, 2004 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, The American Numismatic Society will officially open its new headquarters at 140 William Street (S.E. corner Fulton Street and William) in lower Manhattan.  The ANS contains America's most comprehensive collection of coins, medals and paper currency from every part of the globe.

The 35,000 square foot former bank building also encompasses the world's largest numismatic library.  The library embraces two full floors.  There are educational and research facilities now available to international scholars, students and the general public who are interested in studying coins, medals and other treasures in the Society's unprecedented collection.  On June 18, phase one of this historic move will be complete with the offices, library and a 2000- square-foot high-security vault. Entrance to these facilities will be on Fulton Street. The second phase of the development with the opening of an exhibition hall is planned for completion in 2007/8.  The ground floor will serve as a conference and educational center for lectures, symposia and other public events.

Remarks at the opening will be delivered by The Honorable Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough President, and the Honorable Alan J. Gerson, City Council Member, City of New York.

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 a confederate States half-dollar and the world most valuable coin the 1933 Double Eagle. Additionally on view 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.    

RSVP is necessary to attend.