American Numismatic Society

The American Numismatic Society began in 1858 when a sixteen-year-old coin enthusiast named Augustus B. Sage invited a group of fellow collectors to his home in Manhattan. At the time, interest in numismatics was surging across the country, fueled by the recent California Gold Rush and the introduction of new designs in American federal coinage. What started as an informal gathering of hobbyists in a private apartment eventually evolved into the preeminent research institution for the study of currency and medals in the United States. Today, the organization maintains a collection of nearly one million items, ranging from ancient artifacts dating back to two thousand years before the common era to modern paper money.