Facilities

Pelco Helps Secure Priceless Exhibit
by Denise S. Dieser, Marketing Communications Writer, ddieser@pelco.com

Since the first coin was forged millennia ago, currency has evidenced progression in culture, politics, and art. Today, collectors, historians, and others from around the world revere these pieces for the stories, lessons, and histories they tell.

Over 800 of these most unique and rare coins, paper money, and other items of trade from throughout the ancient and modern world are currently on display in a special exhibit entitled, "Drachmas, Doubloons, and Dollars: The History of Money" now being shown at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Given the irreplaceable nature of the exhibit, together with its priceless value and historical interest, the video security system selected to oversee some of the American Numismatic Society’s most celebrated rarities was of utmost importance.

Quality, Customer Service Critical
"Discussions with the client’s security professionals enabled us to select the correct equipment for the job, and we were already aware of Pelco’s ability to excel in customer service," said Clifford Franklin, president and managing director of the installing company, New York-based Sabre Integrated Security Systems. "The advantages of going with Pelco are support, support, support!"

Franklin said that he was pleased that Pelco was always there to step up to the plate. He also said that the customer is extremely pleased with how the video security system is working out for them.

"The system is working perfectly," said Rosemary Lazenby, Archivist and Bank Curator. "I didn’t know very much about security cameras before this major exhibit started, but with the patience and professionalism of Sabre, I was able to understand the wonders of the security-camera world. And I’ve found that Pelco’s product is much more than I expected. I didn’t realize how one camera could cover such a large area and be able to stop and pick up movement if there was an intruder."

Long Awaited Exhibit Opens
The project was originally scheduled for opening in October 2001, but was delayed due to the events of 9/11 and the exhibit’s close proximity to the World Trade Center. The show ultimately opened in January 2002 with a reception, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and remarks by Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan.

"Even after Mr. Greenspan officially opened the exhibit, it was closed to the general public for awhile due to security concerns in this target-rich environment," said Franklin. The building itself is under constant surveillance by five Spectra II camera dome systems and numerous CCC1400HZ16-2 digital color cameras, according to Franklin, in addition to an ICS151-CRV3A high-resolution Camclosure.

"The video security system is integrated with their alarm system," he said, "and the area is under surveillance from a central security point via a Pelco System 9760."

The Spectra positioning systems are interfaced with motion sensors from the alarm system to provide response to and verification of a perimeter alarm event, should one occur. "If one of the hundreds of alarm points is initiated throughout the exhibit, the cameras react to capture evidence," continued Franklin.

Sabre installs and maintains video security and access control systems and has several professional video engineers on staff who keep up-to-date with the latest innovations, especially digital video recording. Franklin said that in the near future the bank will also add the capability of recording digital video onto a Pelco DX9000 system.

Money Makes the World Go ’Round
Some of the oldest pieces on display in this exhibit date from the 7th Century B.C. "We also have the famed 1933 Double Eagle recently auctioned at Sotheby’s for $7.6 million," said Lazenby. "It was signed into private ownership by Henrietta Fore, Director of the Mint, as the only 1933 Double Eagle in existence."

Visitors can see the many shapes that money has taken over the centuries, including coins, shells, gold, paper money, credit cards, and much more. The goal of the show is to illustrate that money is much more than a way to facilitate commerce. Each item can also be a work of art, a political messenger, or a piece of jewelry that can assist us in gaining a better understanding of our history and culture.

The exhibit, jointly sponsored by the American Numismatic Society and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is on display through 2007. For more information, feel free to visit www.amnumsoc.org.