Money has shaped every chapter of American history— from the founding of the republic to the rise of global capital markets to the digital future unfolding right now. The Museum of American Finance brings that story to life through seven exhibits featuring rare historical artifacts, state-of-the-art interactive experiences and objects from one of the world’ s most significant collections of financial history.

1 2 3 4 Guest Curator: Rahul Arora

Exhibit Description: For many individuals, money serves as an introduction to the world of finance. At its most basic, money— or currency— is just a tool. In its many forms— paper, plastic, metal, digital— money is a standard unit of account that people, as societies or nations, agree holds value.

Spanning over 300 years, American currency tells the story of the nation. Big moments of change are reflected, with innovation coming out of challenges and national values represented in the figures, images and messages chosen to adorn paper notes and coins. With ever-increasing security measures built into each new note and the growth of currency in new digital frontiers, currency is constantly evolving.

Exhibit Highlights:“ America in Circulation” features hundreds of examples of American paper money, most of which are on loan from the collection of Mark R. Shenkman. Highlights include currency bearing the signatures of signers of the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence; a complete set of notes from the Educational Series of 1896, renowned for being the most beautiful paper money in American history; and rare examples of high-denomination notes.

Four large touchscreen interactives invite visitors to take a deeper dive into the artistry and symbolism of historical currency, and to explore 300 years of American history through the lens of US paper money. Visitors will also learn about the history of counterfeiting and discover the many security features hidden in modern US currency.

FEATURED OBJECTS

1. Pine Tree Shilling, Small Planchet, 1652

Collection of the Museum of American Finance The Massachusetts Bay Colony authorized silversmith John Hull to produce pine tree shillings, beginning in 1652. They contained silver and were the earliest coins produced in North America.

2. South Carolina Eight Spanish Milled Dollars, 1776

Collection of the Museum of American Finance During the Revolutionary War, the British used both military and economic warfare. This included counterfeiting American money to make it less valuable and trustworthy. As a deterrent, this note highlighted the penalty:“ Death to Counterfeit.”

3. $ 1 Educational Series Note, 1896

On loan from Mark R. Shenkman This $ 1 silver certificate from the 1896 Educational Series is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of American currency.

4. $ 20 Federal Reserve Notes with Disarmed Exploding Dye Pack

Collection of the Museum of American Finance

Bank tellers keep packs of money armed with dye packs to use if they are robbed. Once triggered, the dye packs explode with ink, permanently marking the currency and rendering it useless.

14 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Spring / Summer 2026 | www. MoAF. org