Financial History Issue 113 (Spring 2015) | Page 9

MUSEUM NEWS   THE TICKER “America in Circulation: A History of US Currency Featuring the Collection of Mark R. Shenkman” Exhibit Opens drove constant advances in design. “Today, there are only seven notes in circulation. Yet most Americans don’t realize that both the banks and the government were issuing many different types of currency for most of our nation’s first 150 years,” said Museum President David Cowen. “The notes in this exhibit tell the story of the development of America, and their striking beauty makes them pieces of art in and of themselves.” The exhibition features approximately 250 notes spanning from the Colonial era to the present day. Highlights include rare examples of 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 uncommon examples of high denomination notes including $5,000 and $10,000 bills. “I am excited and honored to showcase my collection of American currency at the Museum of American Finance,” said Mark Shenkman. “Visitors of all ages will now be able to enjoy the beautiful engravings of hundreds of notes spanning three centuries, and to view and explore them as never before through an engaging use of technology.” “America in Circulation” will be on view through March 2018 in the Museum’s money gallery. An online version of the exhibition is available at www.moaf.org/ money.  Collection of Mark R. Shenkman On April 15, the Museum opened “America in Circulation: A History of US Currency Featuring the Collection of Mark R. Shenkman.” The exhibit provides visitors with the opportunity to view hundreds of beautiful and rare examples of American paper money and to explore them in more depth through large interactive touch screen displays. From Colonial times, American money has told a fascinating and detailed story of the country’s struggles and successes. Pivotal moments in history have led to changes in the nation’s money, as crises have brought about innovation. Often local and national currencies competed and coexisted with each other, while economic depression, war and counterfeiting Clockwise from top left: $50 Continental Note, 1779; $20 Gold Certificate, series of 1905; $2 Educational Series Silver Certificate, 1896; $5 Legal Tender Note, N