Money Museum

From cowrie shells to gold bars, the Money Museum in Vienna tells a captivating story. The Money Museum, nestled within the Austrian National Bank on Otto-Wagner-Platz, offers a unique journey through the world of finance. It’s the only museum of its kind in Austria, dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between money, currency, and the economy. The museum’s history is as fascinating as its exhibits. It began as a celebratory exhibition in 1966, marking the 150th anniversary of the Austrian National Bank. This temporary display sparked the idea for a permanent museum. In the 1980s, two exhibition rooms were opened to the public once a week. The Money Museum in Vienna as we know it today opened its doors in 2003, after a period of extensive planning and renovation. Today, the Money Museum boasts a modern, accessible space with regular opening hours, guided tours, and workshops. The Money Museum houses a remarkable collection of roughly 200,000 objects, constantly growing. Among the most notable items are a touchable standard gold bar and the largest European gold coin. This impressive coin is a “Vienna Philharmonic” 100,000 euro gold bullion coin. It weighs a hefty 31 kilograms. The museum’s collection includes Austrian banknotes, printing plates, drawings, and designs. Some of these designs are by renowned artists like Peter Fendi, Gustav Klimt, Franz Matsch, and Kolo Moser. You can even see two National Bank shares once owned by Ludwig van Beethoven. The Money Museum’s coin collection is equally impressive, with nearly 30,000 objects spanning Austrian monetary history and beyond. From Bronze Age sickle-shaped money to a Lydian 1/3 stater of King Alyattes II, the collection showcases the diversity of currency throughout history. Among the rare coins are a Judenburger gold guilder of Duke Leopold III and several Salzburg coins. These include a rare Rübentaler of Leonhard von Keutschach and a Löwentaler of Hieronymus Colloredo. The Money Museum in Vienna offers a captivating glimpse into the evolution of money and its profound impact on society.