Hello all! It's been awhile since I have posted but I have a question. After returning from NYC for a family visit, I stopped by the ANS headquarters in lower Manhattan for a visit. As seen on their website, it was free and open to the public so I thought, why not? After maneuvering around New York to get there (not easy, as many of you may know) I stopped by, signed in at the bottom office of the building (there are several businesses) and proceeded to the headquarters. There was a man in a small office who had to scan ID etc. Fine. After calling on a pager that there were two people to visit the exhibits a very helpful woman showed us around. However, after stepping past a locked door, there were literally two small cases of medals explaining an award the society gives out every year. Oh, ok and a couple books with descriptions behind a glass window. That was it. I saw maybe 10 people in some summer graduate fellowship/research course and maybe two people in the library (which we couldn't go into). No other visitors. No coins. I was disappointed to the say the least. The guide kept pressing me to pay for a membership but I really don't plan on returning so this would be a waste of money. Yes with that membership you can maybe see some parts of the collection if you call and schedule appointments but what about the passing collector. What are your thoughts on this? I mean, sure you can see coins online but it would be nice to see some in person (besides at a show etc.) Well, good to be back and thanks for hearing me out on this!
The ANS and a lot other museums have kind locked down their coins recently. I believe that to see their coins you have to be a member and have some connections to boot. It's a shame, because the reason they are in museums is so that people can see them(and so that some fool doesn't destroy them).
The value of the ANS IS the library. It is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. That said, unless you are a serious researcher, or willing to spend countless hours reading there, don't waste your time visiting. I'm not sure what the ANS offers these days on-line because it has been quite a while since I have checked. But even their bibliography that anybody can find on-line is of enormous value to those who wish to seriously study coins.
I am a member of the ANS, but I would not suggest membership to casual collectors. It is more for hardcore researchers or those who prefer non-US, ancient coins.
hmm ok thanks for the input!! Looks like coin shows are the best place to actually view coins (besides the internet).
