Museum of Natural History, the division of numis- 

 matics contributed an extensive display of recent coins 

 of the world. The following year, a special displa>- of 

 Napoleonic medals was set up in the Arts and In- 

 dustries Building. 



Planning for rearrangement of the coin hall (fig. 

 131) was started in 1956 and by 1958 it was decided 

 to redesign it completely. Detailed scripts and pre- 

 liminary designs were worked out by the curator and 

 by Mrs. E. Clain-Stefanelli. The final exhibit layouts 

 were prepared by Harry Hart. 



Meanwhile, several temporary displays were set up 

 during 1959. In February an exhibit illustrating 

 .\braham Lincoln's life, his political aims, and his 

 achievements as shown on medals was installed in the 

 coin hall.''" In May, on the occasion of a visit of King 

 Baudouin of Belgium, two displays were set up: one 

 featured decorations, medals, and rare gold coins 

 from Belgium, the other was dedicated to the achieve- 

 ments of Brand \Vhitlock as Ambassador to Belgium 

 during World War I.'"* 



The permanent displays in the coin hall were closed 

 in July 1959 for dismantling in preparation for the 

 installation of modernized exhibits: in the interim 

 arrangements were made for setting up a series of 

 temporary shows. Some of these, on \-iew from July 

 through September 1959 in the rotunda of the Arts 

 and Industries Building, were topically dedicated to 

 Washington, Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt; 

 others featured United States paper currencies, 

 medals of merit, and decorations. 



While materials for regular exhibits were being 

 prepared, the coin hall was used for several special 

 exhibits. Louis Eliasberg of Baltimore, Maryland, 

 lent his entire collection, including specially designed 

 cases, for a display that was on view from May 1 

 through August 15, 1960. It was distinguished for its 

 "completeness of the United States series, superb 

 condition of the coins, and attractive presentation.'"^" 

 .\n exhibit illustrating the life and military exploits of 

 Peter the Great was composed of a selection from 

 the Willis H. du Pont gift of Russian coins and medals 

 formerly owned by the Grand Duke Georgii Mikhail- 

 ovich of Russia.'" A selection of 250 masterpieces of 

 ancient Greek coins, on loan from a famous private 

 collection in Boston, was placed on public \ie\\ in 



" Sf Re/ioil, 1939, p 41. 



ss USA'M Report. 1909, p. 41. 



«' USXM Report, 1960. p. 2G; SI Report, 1960. p. 4,'5. 



™ US.VM Report, 1960 p. 27; 5/ Report, I960, p. 43 



Fig. 25.— Half E.:\gle, 1815. 



Fig. 26.— H.ALF Eagle, 1819. 



Fig. 28.— H.ALF Eagle, 1824. 



Fig. 29.— Half Eagle, 1832. 



December 1960; it included outstanding examples 

 from the 7th to the 2nd centuries B.C."' 



The completely renovated hall of monetary history 

 and mcdallic art (fig. 132) was opened on March 18, 

 1961, with formal ceremonies attended by govern- 



US.\.\f Report, 1901, pp. 31-32. 



99 



BULLKTIX 229: COXTRIRUTIOXS FROM THI- MUSEUM OK HISTORY .\ND TECHNOLOGY 



