For immediate release:

Contact:
Kristin Aguilera
Museum of American Financial History
Communications Director
212-908-4695
kaguilera@financialhistory.org

FINANCE MUSEUM TO LAUNCH SMITHSONIAN EXHIBITION ON AFRICAN CURRENCY

Financial District, New York City - The Museum of American Financial History will open "The Artistry of African Currency," an exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, on January 16. The exhibit inaugurates the Museum's concurrent designation as an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The exhibit, sponsored by the South Africa-based firm Investec Ernst & Company with support from Granite Broadcasting Corporation, will enable the Museum to establish new community relationships and extend its outreach to students throughout New York City.

"This is an opportunity to teach students about the common concepts of currency, trade and commerce from the perspective of another culture," said Meg Ventrudo, assistant director for exhibits and education.

A calendar of associated events also will extend the exhibit's impact beyond the gallery, in locations from Harlem to Newark.

"African Currency" features a variety of objects that have been used across Africa to facilitate trade and measure wealth including jewelry, weapons, tools, shells and coins. It explores the circumstances that supported the past monetary systems of African societies and led to the transformation of plain currencies into objects of beauty.

To provide a context for these currencies, the exhibition includes a selection of objects commonly used as mediums of exchange such as cowrie shells, beads and metal objects. The metal currencies -- the main focus of the exhibit -- range from conventional forms to highly valued complex designs executed with skill and artistic sensibility.

"These are objects valued as much for their elaborate forms as for their intrinsic value," said exhibition curator Lydia Puccinelli.

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lawrence M. Small and Dr. Roslyn Walker, Director of the National Museum of African Art which curated the exhibit, will publicly announce the Museum's new affiliation on January 16 from the Nasdaq MarketSite broadcast studio on Times Square. Also participating will be the Honorable Mary Ellen Withrow, the Treasurer of the United States.

"The Artistry of African Currency" will be on display through March 31, 2001 in the Museum's gallery at 28 Broadway. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm.

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