Pocket Change Numismatic History

The Franc: A Coin, A Currency, and Orphan
   ANS    
The Franc: A Coin, A Currency, and Orphan
By Gilles Bransbourg

The Franc is one of the oldest and most widespread currency units in the world, currently the official currency of 25 states or autonomous territories. However, the Franc was never intended to become the name of a currency until the French kingdom issued a specific gold piece to gather the massive ransom needed to free King John II the Good, prisoner of the English since the disastrous Battle of Poitiers in 1356. He was depicted in full armor on a horse, with the legend Johannes Dei Gracia Francoru(m) Rex. From “Francoru(m)” came “Franc”. This famed coin is called the Franc…

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The Allan Evans Papers
   ANS    
The Allan Evans Papers
By David Yoon

The many treasures of the American Numismatic Society’s archives include not only the Society’s own history and papers documenting the…

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A Numismatic Reunion
   ANS    
A Numismatic Reunion
By The American Numismatic Society

Guest post by David D. Gladfelter. David studies, writes, and speaks about the history of bank note engraving and printing,…

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Henry Chapman's Granddaughter Sets the Record Straight
   ANS    
Henry Chapman's Granddaughter Sets the Record Straight
By David Hill

A few weeks ago I gave a talk at a meeting of the New York Numismatic Club (NYNC) on the…

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The Making of a Numismatic Short Film
   ANS    
The Making of a Numismatic Short Film
By Austin Andrews

At our 2021 Gala, the American Numismatic Society premiered a new short film by Pascal Perich, The ANS: Yesterday, Today,…

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First known photographs of Adra Newell Discovered Online
   ANS    
First known photographs of Adra Newell Discovered Online
By David Hill

Some years ago I wrote about Edward Newell and his wife Adra for ANS Magazine (2014/3). Edward, the Society’s president…

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The Huntingtons at Woodlawn
   ANS    
The Huntingtons at Woodlawn
By David Hill

The Huntington mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery was built for railroad magnate Collis Huntington in the 1890s.

Archer Huntington (1870–1955), ANS benefactor…

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A Canadian Encounter: Stamped Tokens from the Spanish Civil War
   ANS    
A Canadian Encounter: Stamped Tokens from the Spanish Civil War
By Gilles Bransbourg

Spanish Civil War tokens from the author’s collection.

On a recent trip to Montreal—which seems to date from a million years…

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Isaac Francis Wood
   ANS    
Isaac Francis Wood
By David Hill

Part of a member questionnaire filled out by Isaac Francis Wood. ANS Archives.

The first three numismatic societies in the United…

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Happy 210th Birthday, Abe!
   ANS    
Happy 210th Birthday, Abe!
By David Hill

Lincoln Centennial Medal by Jules Édouard Roiné, 1909 (ANS 1909.45.1), King 310. The dies were ceremoniously canceled, donated to the…

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Newell and the ANS as the US Enters the Great...
   ANS    
Newell and the ANS as the US Enters the Great War
By Andrew Reinhard

Edward T. Newell

On January 12, 1918, ANS President Edward T. Newell delivered his President’s Address at the ANS’s 60th Annual Meeting…

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Maundy Money
   ANS    
Maundy Money
By Andrew Reinhard

4d silver groat, London, 1660–1662 (ANS 1963.6.3).

Today is Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter), which for Christians signifies the day…

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