For
immediate release:
Contact:
Kristin Aguilera
Museum of American Financial History
Communications Director
212-908-4695
kaguilera@financialhistory.org
Finance Museum Showcases $100,000 Bill
in "High Notes" Exhibit
Former U.S. Treasurer curates exhibition of
high denomination currency from around the world
New York, Oct. 1, 2002 - The Museum of American Financial History unveiled today the first public exhibition to showcase rare high denomination bills from the Smithsonian Institution's National Numismatic Collection, including the 1934 U.S. $100,000 gold certificate issued at the height of the Depression to transfer funds between the Federal Reserve Banks.
The notes featured in "High Notes" carry some of the highest denominations ever to appear on paper currency in the U.S. and in countries around the world. Although the U.S. government ceased printing notes larger than $100 in 1945, currency in denominations up to $10,000 were issued through 1969. The exhibit also includes more than 40 examples of inflationary currency from around the world, including the trillion Mark notes of post-World War I Germany. At the time, it took a shopping bag full of Reichsmarks to buy a loaf of bread.
"High Notes" is guest curated by Mary Ellen Withrow, former Treasurer of the United States. During her tenure as Treasurer, Withrow's signature appeared on more currency than that of any of her predecessors. She also holds the distinction of being the only person to hold the treasurer position at the city, state, and national levels.
The Museum of American Financial History, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation's only independent public museum dedicated to the history of growth, opportunity, and entrepreneurship in our democratic free market economy. The Museum serves members, visitors to its gallery and website, and program participants nationwide with exhibits, events, publications, and scholarly resources. Educational programming promotes financial literacy and empowerment, drawing upon the Museum's unsurpassed document collection.
"High Notes" will be on display through February 28, 2003 and will coincide with an exhibit of antique cash registers from the National Cash Register Company. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $2.
The Museum is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is $2. For additional information, call 212-908-4695.
Photography: To request high resolution images of objects in this exhibit, please e-mail kaguilera@financialhistory.org, or call 212-908-4695.
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