As Curator, Tamera can give you a guided tour
She works both as the Curator of the Authority’s new Notes and Coins Exhibit, and an Administrator within their Corporate and Financial Services Department.
As the Curator she is responsible for the new Exhibit, while her administrator duties include managing the numismatic (relating to coins or the study of coins) orders for the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s (BMA) commemorative coins collection and bank warehousing.
When asked to explain exactly what her numismatic duties entailed, Miss Smith said: “Serving walk-in customers as well as responding to email questions that come through our website regarding our note and coin collection.
“Often my response translates into a sale, which I then process and make sure that the coins are shipped correctly overseas. I also receive orders by fax and mail and with walk-in customers.
“As the Curator for our new exhibit, I can also provide tours for interested parties.”
Bank warehousing she explains involves completing Bermuda note and coin circulation transactions between the local banks and the Authority.
“I will process the paperwork required and have it authorised for the bank in order to complete the transaction,” she explained.
Miss Smith along with her colleague, Senior Administrator, Tawana Butterfield, also had responsibilities during the recent relocation of moving the Exhibit artefacts to the new location.
“We packed the items to ensure that they did not get damaged and that they were safe at all times.”
So how did Miss Smith become involved with the numismatic area of the Authority? She explained that after working for the organisation for about ten years she requested a new challenge and was given the opportunity to work on the numismatic programme.
“It was known that I was interested in notes and coins, so when a position became available in the currency area, I went for it,” she said. “Since then my knowledge has grown. Sometimes I have to do research in order to answer people’s questions, and that helps to increase my knowledge.”
Miss Smith has also had the opportunity to attend a numismatic grading course in Denver, Colorado and she said: “I am looking into attending more.”
Asked if she had a passion for collecting coins before taking on this role, Miss Smith said: “When I was very young, my mother had shown me different currencies that she had collected from countries around the world. I started to compare them with Bermuda’s money and then I got into collecting different notes and coins.”
Miss Smith is also involved in the creation of the Authority’s limited edition and commemorative coins. “I am often asked what would be a very popular coin or an unusual design,” she said.
Once a decision is made I proof the coin design along with its Certificate of Authenticity.”
Regarding an educational outreach programme, she said: “The Authority has a programme in place were we give presentations to the schools about Bermuda’s numismatic history.
“With our new facilities we hope to have the schools come in for a visit to view the new Exhibit.”
The exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested parties can contact Ms. Smith directly on 278-0236.
