Coins, Currency, and Medals

$100,000 U.S. Gold Certificate

The museum possesses one of the largest and most diverse numismatic collections in the world. Its diverse holdings represent every inhabited continent and span more than three millennia. The collection includes coins, paper money, medals, tokens, commodity and alternative currencies, coin dies, printing plates, scales and weights, financial documents and apparatuses, credit cards, and objects that reflect established and emerging digital monetary technologies worldwide.

Resource Type: Credit cards

Diners' Club Australia Credit Card, United States, 1957

Founded by Frank McNamara in 1950, the Diners' Club Card was among the country’s earliest charge cards. Before the time of plastic credit cards and digital payments, the novelty of paying for an expensive meal by using the Diners’ Club card made membership a status symbol.
Description
Founded by Frank McNamara in 1950, the Diners' Club Card was among the country’s earliest charge cards. Before the time of plastic credit cards and digital payments, the novelty of paying for an expensive meal by using the Diners’ Club card made membership a status symbol. At the end of the month, Diners’ Club would bill their members and send the payment to the restaurant, minus their 5-7% processing fee. Alfred Bloomingdale’s charge card company, “Dine and Sign” merged with Diners’ Club in 1951, when he became The Diners’ Club president. This card was only valid in Australia, and expired in September, 1956. As Diners’ Club became more popular it was often used as a payment method for tourists during their travels, freeing them from constantly changing money or traveler’s cheques.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
ID Number
NU.72.66.29
catalog number
72.66.29
accession number
301409
serial number
-078

Esquire Club Credit Card, United States, 1957

The Esquire Club Credit Card was issued by Esquire Magazine. It functioned in a similar way as to Diner’s Club, and Diner’s Club eventually bought out Esquire Club.Currently not on view
Description
The Esquire Club Credit Card was issued by Esquire Magazine. It functioned in a similar way as to Diner’s Club, and Diner’s Club eventually bought out Esquire Club.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
ID Number
NU.72.66.109
catalog number
72.66.109
accession number
301409

Diners Club Card, United States, 1974

Diner's Club was one of the earliest issuers of credit cards beginning in 1950. The convenience and security they came to represent transformed payment methods and later blossomed into one of the primary mechanisms for purchasing goods and services for customers.
Description
Diner's Club was one of the earliest issuers of credit cards beginning in 1950. The convenience and security they came to represent transformed payment methods and later blossomed into one of the primary mechanisms for purchasing goods and services for customers. They also became a device for tracking spending patterns for consumers interested in managing their personal finances.
date made
1974
maker
Diner's Club International
ID Number
1985.0823.14
catalog number
1985.0823.14
accession number
1985.0823
serial number
0010

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