Trip to the BEP and Gallery of Numismatics at the Smithsonian

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by furryfrog02, Jul 9, 2018.

  1. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    My family and I went down to D.C. today to tour the BEP and also the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

    The BEP was interesting but honestly was "meh" compared to the Philly mint. They were printing $20 bills at the time and there were stacks and stacks of ~$6.4 million all over the place. In one of the places we saw, I counted over $108,000,000. It was neat to see but made me really feel like our paper money is worthless after seeing so much.

    After the BEP tour we went over to the Museum of American History. I knew of the small gallery on the 2nd floor but I didn't know about the Gallery of Numismatics. Holy Cow I was like a kid in a candy store! Unfortunately my 2 year old was about done for the day so we didn't get to stay nearly as long as I would have liked to. I managed to snap a few pictures on my phone and thought I'd share with you all:

    1877 $50 Half Union
    1877 50 Dollar Half Union.JPG
    1907 $20 Flying Eagle High Relief
    1907 Double Eagle High Relief.jpg
    1913 Liberty Nickel
    1913 Liberty Nickel.jpg

    1974 Aluminum 1 Cent
    1974P Aluminum Cent.jpg

    Some really awesome Hobo Nickels Hobo Nickels.JPG
     
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  3. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Fancy shootin' there, Tex. I know how dark it is in there.
     
  4. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    The lighting in the vault was less than optimal for taking pictures. Glad the Half Union picture turned out decent.
     
  5. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Was the 1849 Double Pattern displayed????
     
  6. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    That's a pretty nice public display they have. I was there about 8 weeks ago to examine their '54-S half eagle.

    Funny story . . . Because I'd made an appointment to examine that coin only a couple of weeks before the recently publicized discovery, and because I was coming from New England where the discovery had taken place, I had them wondering if I was the lucky guy who discovered the 4th example . . . NOT!
     
  7. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Did they ask you if you were?
     
  8. USCoinCollector42

    USCoinCollector42 Well-Known Member

    Those are some great pictures. I spent a good chunk of time there when I was in DC a year ago.

    Here are some more pictures of coins on display:

    4599F96C-F9B0-4F8F-A1E0-5E2CD5FF1976.jpeg 5AD45890-167A-4D0F-8FF3-DA1DBDAA904B.jpeg 83693D83-9B53-4B09-8A70-426BE5476625.jpeg 7D72959B-853B-4CBB-B529-AD107484055A.jpeg 3E97E697-20B4-44E4-B569-CB3EB0B1008C.jpeg
     
  9. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    We had a brief conversation on that very subject, yes.
     
    CoinBlazer likes this.
  10. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Any Morgans on display there???
     
  11. Beefer518

    Beefer518 Well-Known Member

    Whose necklace?
     
  12. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Probably not one of those 4'-11", 92 lb dancing girls . . .
     
  13. Garlicus

    Garlicus Debt is dumb, cash is king.

    Oh, maaaan. The way they have the 1877 $50 Half Union and '33 Double Eagle held in place is going to cause them to get a details grade. Probably 'ex jewelry'.
    Wonder how close to spot I can get them to come because of that, lol.

    Seriously though, thanks for posting the pics. Living vicariously through you.
     
  14. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Why would there be? "Common as dirt."
     
  15. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I think I saw one. I didn't pay it any attention though since I couldn't care less for Morgans (go ahead and get your pitchforks and torches)
     
    dwhiz and V. Kurt Bellman like this.
  16. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    You get the VKB July 2018 trophy.

    [​IMG]
     
    furryfrog02 likes this.
  17. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Hey "Frog" (@furryfrog02), if you're not headed south, there's a sweet auction in York, PA on Saturday morning.
     
  18. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    What time? I am taking my son to an O's game in the evening but may be able to go if it's not too late.
     
  19. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

  20. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Yup it worked. I will have to talk to the wife :p
     
  21. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    By the way, on raw stuff, this guy grades pretty well.
     
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