A Historic Collection Heads to Ohio: American Numismatic Society Relocates to Toledo
After 168 years in New York City, the American Numismatic Society (ANS), a leading organization dedicated to the study of coins, currency, and medals, is relocating its headquarters to Toledo, Ohio. The move, announced on November 20, 2025, will see the society and its extensive collection take up residence on the campus of the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) in the first half of 2028.
The decision to relocate stems from the escalating costs of operating in New York City, particularly the financial burden of a $1.8 million annual lease set to expire in 2028. The ANS, founded in 1858, holds the most comprehensive collection of numismatic objects in the United States, but faced challenges in maintaining a prominent presence in Manhattan amidst fierce competition from numerous other museums.
The move was facilitated by a connection between ANS executive director Dr. Ute Wartenberg Kagan and Adam Levine, the director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art. A fifteen-minute phone call from Levine, highlighting the availability of the Art Deco Professional Building at 1828 Parkwood Avenue adjacent to the TMA campus, sparked Kagan’s interest. A subsequent visit to Toledo solidified the decision.
“I fell in love with Toledo,” Kagan said. “I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a great place.’”
The Professional Arts Building was purchased as part of a $20 million plan to expand the society’s educational and research capabilities and to display coins that would otherwise remain in storage. The ANS envisions a small, dedicated gallery where its collection will be showcased alongside works of art from the TMA and other nearby institutions.
The relocation is expected to benefit both the ANS and the city of Toledo. The society anticipates strengthening academic partnerships with local universities, including the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University, and becoming a vibrant hub for numismatic study and research. The move also positions the ANS more centrally for its members, many of whom are located across the United States.
For Kagan, the appeal of coins lies in their “immediacy” – the ability to physically connect with history. “You can actually hold a coin in your hand, which is, for most museum objects, almost impossible,” she explained. While some coins are too delicate to handle, the majority of the ANS collection will be accessible for supervised study.
The ANS’s collection, largely accumulated in the 20th century, contains many coins that have yet to be fully studied and cataloged. The new headquarters will provide the space and resources necessary to undertake this important work. The society’s motto, “parva ne pereant” – “let not the little things perish” – underscores its commitment to preserving and understanding these often-overlooked historical artifacts.
Levine emphasized the importance of bringing the ANS to the Midwest, stating, “It’s not the New York Numismatic Society, it’s the American Numismatic Society.” He believes Toledo’s less crowded museum landscape will provide the ANS with the opportunity to thrive and reach new audiences.
