The American Numismatic Society NEWS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information contact: Juliette Pelletier, Membership & Development Manager

(212) 571-4470 ext. 1311 or Pelletier@ numismatics.org

THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS   NEW YORK ON STEEL

AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK

New York on Steel , a new exhibition of stock certificates and bonds with bank note-engraved scenes of New York City and its buildings, 1840-1980s, presented by the American Numismatic Society, will open to the public on February 9, 2005. The exhibition contains over 70 stocks, bonds, engraving proofs, and other production material illustrating both the wonderful engraved views of New York from the mid-19 th century to the late 20 th century, as well as the beautiful art and process of bank note engraving. The exhibit is from the collection of and curated by Mark D. Tomasko, an engraving historian and collector.

Visitors can see period miniature engraved masterpieces of well-known sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the old Pennsylvania Station, Wall Street in 1900, the United Nations, and the Prometheus Statue at the Rockefeller Center skating rink, as well as less familiar locations such as the old W & J. Sloane building at Broadway and 19 th Street, the former New York Clearing House on Cedar Street, and the late Alexander's Department Store at 58 th Street and Lexington Avenue. Also on view will be photographs of architects' drawings that enabled one of the best bank note engravers in 1913 to depict Grand Central Terminal for bonds of the New York Central and Hudson River Rail Road; and a series of unique progressive proofs of a 1950s engraving of the Empire State Building.

Known as the "fine art of finance," bank note engraving is a beautiful art surviving today primarily on our nation's currency. It is a truly American art, perfected and brought to a high level in America around the time of the Civil War, due to the demand created by the fact that prior to 1865 most every bank could issue its own bank notes. The growing U.S. economy and financing needs of the late 19 th century required an ever-increasing number of stock and bond certificates, and more security for such securities, causing even more development of the beautiful art of bank note engraving in an effort to foil counterfeiters. New York City was the financial and business center for America from the 1850s to the 1960s, and had more buildings and scenes appearing on fully-engraved securities than any other location.

The Federal Reserve Bank New York , 33 Liberty St., New York, NY, open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. For more information on visiting the exhibition, please contact the Federal Reserve Bank New York Public Information Division at (212) 720-6130.