MHS News

"Precious Metals: From Au to Zn" Opens 2 August

On 2 August the MHS will open a new exhibition Precious Metals: from Au to Zn.  The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is taking the opportunity to show off some of its numismatic treasures while the American Numismatic Association (ANA) is in Boston hosting the World's Fair of Money at the Hynes Convention Center. 

Special guest curator John W. Adams and MHS Curator of Art Anne E. Bentley have planned an exhibition to highlight many of the rare and unique pieces in the collection. A sampling of what will be on view includes the New England three pence and shilling, the 1776 Massachusetts Pine Tree copper penny, a piece of original Massachusetts Bay stock, the February 1690/1 Massachusetts Bill of Credit, the full set of Washington-Webster silver Comitia Americana medals, Indian Peace Medals of colonial and federal issue, a number of Washington medals from the Baker series, and some fascinating pieces from the Vernon medal series. Precious Metals: From Au to Zn will open on 2 August and remain on view into September in the Society’s building at 1154 Boylston Street. 

Regular public hours are from 1 to 4 PM Monday through Saturday.  There are special ANA morning hours from 9 AM to noon on August 10-14.  If convention attendees plan to research the MHS collection while in town, please contact Anne Bentley (abentley@masshist.org or call 617-646-0508) in advance to make an appointment, as time and space are limited.