Museum of American Finance Opens New Exhibit: “For the Love of Money: Blacks on US Currency”
February 3, 2017
New York, NY – In honor of Black History Month, the Museum of American Finance has opened “For the Love of Money: Blacks on US Currency,” a traveling exhibit on loan from the Museum of UnCut Funk.
To be featured on currency is among the nation’s highest honors. The Treasury’s latest redesign – which will feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill beginning in 2020 – will acknowledge for the first time on paper money the contributions of Black and women’s rights activists in advancing American democracy. There is a longer tradition of honoring such leaders through the creation of commemorative coins, medals and medallions. Through legislation, Congress has chosen to honor on US commemorative currency Black icons, seminal historic events and institutions which have significantly influenced American and Black history.
“For the Love of Money” honors barrier breaking Black athletes, entertainers, civil rights leaders, military leaders and politicians, and it features the historic contributions of several prominent Black women. The exhibit showcases more than 40 anti-slavery tokens, commemorative coins, concept coins, commemorative bronze medals, Presidential bronze medals and commemorative medallions representing American and Black history milestones that have contributed to the betterment of the United States. Additional coins and medals will be added to the exhibit as they are released in 2017.
More information can be found at https://www.moaf.org/exhibits/ftlom. This exhibit will be on view through January 2018.
About the Museum of American Finance
The Museum of American Finance, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation’s only independent museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting and teaching about American finance and financial history. With its extensive collection of financial documents and objects, its seminars and educational programming, its publication and oral history program, the Museum portrays the breadth and richness of American financial history, achievement and practices. The Museum is located at 48 Wall Street, on the corner of William Street, and is open Tues–Sat, 10 am – 4 pm. For more information, visit www.moaf.org or connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @FinanceMuseum.
About the Museum of UnCut Funk
The Museum of UnCut Funk is the first and only virtual museum that celebrates 1970’s Black Culture and pays homage to the contributions and legacies of Black icons who made this decade so funky. The museum also features an extensive collection of 1970’s Black culture artifacts, which includes Animation Art and Collectibles, Broadway Window Cards, Coins, Comic Books, Movie Posters, Stamps and Sports items that incorporate Black images. The exhibitions deliver unique cultural experiences that teach Black history in a fun and uplifting way and have been seen by over 150,000 people to date. For more information, visit www.museumofuncutfunk.com or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
Media contacts:
Kristin Aguilera, Deputy Director
Museum of American Finance
212-908-4695, kaguilera@moaf.org
Loreen Williamson, Co-Curator
Museum of UnCut Funk
908-346-4499, reenied@mac.com
