THE TICKER
MUSEUM NEWS
New Exhibits Include “ Out of the Vault ” and “ For the Love of Money ”
In January , the Museum unveiled the first of its 2017 exhibits , entitled “ Out of the Vault .” The exhibit features highlights from the Museum ’ s permanent collection , many of which have never been publicly displayed . Highlights include financial documents bearing the signatures of US Presidents , from John Quincy Adams to John F . Kennedy . Another case features dozens of colorful international currencies , issued between 1932 and 2011 . There are also several examples from the Museum ’ s extensive collection of Lucite “ deal toys ” representing some of the largest public offerings of the last three decades .
In February , in honor of Black History Month , the Museum opened a traveling
exhibit on loan from the Museum of UnCut Funk entitled “ For the Love of Money : Blacks on US Currency ” [ see related article , page 20 ]. The exhibit features more than 40 examples of Black men and women depicted on US commemorative coins , medals and medallions . The objects span from 19th century anti-slavery tokens through the Presidential Bronze Medals issued in January 2017 on Barack Obama ’ s last day in office . This is the first time a complete collection of these coins has been on public view .
In remarks delivered at the press conference to open the exhibit on February 22 , Loreen Williamson , co-curator of the Museum of UnCut Funk , said the coins in
the exhibit serve to accurately present and archive the Black experience in the United States . “ These objects are tangible . They ’ re permanent . And through this exhibition , they ’ re accessible ,” she said .
Maura Ferguson , director of exhibits at the Museum of American Finance , remarked , “ As we discuss our national values and how to best represent them , we wanted to bring to our visitors these objects and stories as a representation of both Black history and American history .”
“ For the Love of Money ” will be on view through January 2018 . For more information , visit www . moaf . org / fortheloveofmoney .
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1 . Pamela Thomas and Loreen Williamson , co-curators of the Museum of UnCut Funk , with the Museum of American Finance ’ s curatorial team of Maura Ferguson and Sarah Poole . 2 . Cases from “ For the Love of Money ” featuring 18th and 19th century anti-slavery tokens and some of the nation ’ s earliest coins depicting famous Black Americans . 3 . Press conference attendees were among the first viewers of the “ For the Love of Money ” exhibit . 4 . A large case in “ Out of the Vault ” features deal toys from significant IPOs . 5 . Financial documents signed by US Presidents include this 1894 certificate of indebtedness signed by William McKinley . 6 . International currencies featured in “ Out of the Vault .”
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Photos : Alan Barnett
MAR 22 1811
The “ Act Relative to Incorporations for Manufacturing Purposes ,” the world ’ s first law granting limited liability to common stockholders , is passed by the New York state legislature .
6 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Winter 2017 | www . MoAF . org