The Value of Money

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is transforming how its audiences will experience history beginning July 1 when it opens exhibitions, learning places and programming spaces all centered on the theme of innovation. The first floor of the museum’s West Wing will open with 45,000-square-feet featuring exhibitions that explore the history of American business, showcase “hot spots” of invention and put the spotlight on the National Numismatic Collection.

A vault door will mark the entrance to the National Museum of American History’s new Gallery of Numismatics and its inaugural exhibition, “The Value of Money.” Opening July 1, the gallery will delve into the National Numismatic Collection (NNC)—one of the Smithsonian’s oldest and most treasured collections—to uncover stories related to the origins, innovations, messages, artistry and allure of money.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has appointed Ellen Feingold as the curator of the National Numismatic Collection, effective today. Feingold is an experienced historian, curator, numismatist and educator. Most recently, she served as project curator for the Money in Africa project in the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum. In this role she conducted innovative research on the history of currency counterfeiting in the British Empire and co-curated a display on mobile money in Africa for the Citi Money Gallery.