Tales from the Vault Blog

Tales from the Vault is a series of articles designed to highlight the lesser-known parts of the ANA collection.

These columns feature interesting and informative stories about individual objects or groups of objects that do not often (or ever) get to see the light of day.

The collection within the ANA vault holds approximately 275,000 objects ; however, we only have space to show a tiny fraction of these hidden gems. Check back regularly for an inside look at the ANA vault and the marvelous collection we are excited to share with you.

Tales From the Vault – The Markoff Collection
Tales From the Vault – The Markoff Collection
In 1979, the Money Museum received an incredible donation combining numismatic and presidential history. The…
Read More
Tales From the Vault – Bryan Money
Tales From the Vault – Bryan Money
Objects from the Money Museum highlight the politics of a bygone era “You shall not…
Read More
Tales From the Vault – Child’s Play
Tales From the Vault – Child’s Play
A “Play Money” collection details a fun, ongoing series for young and young at heart…
Read More
Tales From the Vault – Golden State Gold
Tales From the Vault – Golden State Gold
A need for small-denomination coinage spawns a fascinating collector series The California Gold Rush created…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The Joy of Jetons
Tales From the Vault: The Joy of Jetons
King Louis XV struck tokens to popularize France’s American colonies and encourage emigration. A little-known…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The Multiple Thalers of Brunswick
Tales From the Vault: The Multiple Thalers of Brunswick
Far from pocket change, these large silver coins helped fund the defense of kingdoms Thalers…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Celebrating Women in Numismatics
Tales From the Vault: Celebrating Women in Numismatics
This year marks the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, granting women the right to vote…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Royal Portraits
Tales From the Vault: Royal Portraits
Monarchs have appeared on English coinage since the kingdom’s establishment in AD 927 Many objects…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: Face of a Place
Tales from the Vault: Face of a Place
A recent donation highlights cityscapes from one of Europe’s most interesting placesCoins were the first…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Sealskin Notes of the Russian-American Company
Tales From the Vault: Sealskin Notes of the Russian-American Company
During the first half of the 19th century, the imperial Russian-American Company (RAC) – chartered…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Founding Father of Finance
Tales From the Vault: Founding Father of Finance
The Money Museum’s collection honors treasurer and patriot Robert MorrisThe Edward C. Rochette Money Museum’s…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Tales from the Vault: John Fitzgerald Kennedy
The ANA’s collection celebrates an amazing life and careerWhen Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy was…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The Moritz Wormser Memorial Collection
Tales From the Vault: The Moritz Wormser Memorial Collection
The ANA collection was conceived thanks to a numismatic giantThe ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: War of 1812 Treasury Notes
Tales From the Vault: War of 1812 Treasury Notes
Although popular in circulation, few of these notes exist today  In June 1812, the United…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: The Notes of George Cruikshank
Tales from the Vault: The Notes of George Cruikshank
A famous satirical bank note lampoons the Bank of EnglandWhat follows is a fascinating story…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The Sacagawea Dollar
Tales From the Vault: The Sacagawea Dollar
The Edward C. Rochette Money Museum received an exciting donation in late 2017: items related…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: First Charter National Bank Notes
Tales from the Vault: First Charter National Bank Notes
The first National Bank Act was signed 155 years agoEven before the Civil War, our…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Martin Luther
Tales From the Vault: Martin Luther
Halloween 2017 marked the 500th anniversary of the start of the ReformationIt was October 31st,…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Saint Nicholas Bank Notes
Tales From the Vault: Saint Nicholas Bank Notes
As busy as he is during the holiday season, how did Santa Claus ever find…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: Medals Matter
Tales from the Vault: Medals Matter
An ANA Life Member furthers the ANA’s mission with a substantial donationThe vault’s collection of…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Tokens of the Cocos Islands
Tales From the Vault: Tokens of the Cocos Islands
The ANA Money Museum is fortunate to possess a complete set of rare tokens of…
Read More
Tales From The Vault: Red Cross Medals of World War I
Tales From The Vault: Red Cross Medals of World War I
World War I inspired a fascinating array of medallic art and popular subject was the…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Medallic Remembrances of World War I
Tales From the Vault: Medallic Remembrances of World War I
World War I (1914-1918), also called “The Great War,” or “the War to End all…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: High-Flying Collection
Tales From the Vault: High-Flying Collection
Pieces assembled by an aviation pioneer find a home at the ANA Money Museum.“Men become…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Windy City Scrip
Tales From the Vault: Windy City Scrip
The city of Chicago has played a significant role in the ANA’s history. The organization…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The 1928 Auto Dollar
Tales From the Vault: The 1928 Auto Dollar
A Chinese warlord celebrates his automotive accomplishments on a famous coinEach of the objects in…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: The 1792 Half Disme
Tales From the Vault: The 1792 Half Disme
The United States Launches a New National CoinageEven before the end of the American Revolution,…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: Money, Great and Small
Tales From the Vault: Money, Great and Small
Money as we know it was first conceived largely because its size and weight made…
Read More
Tales From the Vault: American Classics
Tales From the Vault: American Classics
1804 Dollar The King of United States Coins The 1804 dollar is among the most…
Read More
Tales from the Vault: Money of the French Revolution – the Assignat
Tales from the Vault: Money of the French Revolution – the Assignat
The Assignat notes of the French Revolution were issued from 1790 – 1796.  As with…
Read More
Return to top