CALL FOR A NATIONAL NUMISMATIC MUSEUM Publique Deposited
The E-Sylum: Volume 9, Number 30, July 23, 2006, Article 16
CALL FOR A NATIONAL NUMISMATIC MUSEUM
Howard A. Daniel III writes: "I read the item about the Smithsonian
with alarm. I have known of their situation for many years, and I
have been suggesting to anyone who will listen or read, that we need
a National Numismatic Museum (NNM) for the National Numismatic
Collection (NNC)!The National Philatelic Museum is a fantastic operation, and the
NNM should copy it in many ways. And the NNM might even be able
to find a location in the same building next to Union Station!If you think there should be a NNM, please write to your Senator
and Representative and ask them to create a bill to have an NNM.There are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pieces in the
collection that are not cataloged anywhere! It is absolutely
amazing what is in the NNC! Researchers and writers could do
research on the collection at the NNM, and publish it with a small
percentage of the profits coming back to the NNM. NBS members
could donate copies of their publications to the gift shop, or at
least, at a deep discount to it. And duplicates from your library
could be donated for a tax deduction and sold in a part of the
gift shop.That is enough here now, but if you want to see the NNC come into
its own, and to make it available to all numismatists and the public,
please work on your Senator and Representative for a NNM. There are
some laws that need changing in the bill to make it happen, but it
can be done, with some support and guidance to our lawmakers. You
will hear and read some negative replies to the NNM, but ignore them,
there are ALWAYS people who fear succeeding at everything!"[The U.S. Mint HQ in D.C. was built with the first floor as a planned
museum space, but that didn't happen. I was in the old Post Office
building next to Union Station recently, but it was after hours.
I've never been to the NPM, but the building is beautiful and would
be a great location. -Editor]- 2006-07-23
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