Imagine holding a coin from 1400 BC. That is just a glimpse of the wonders within the Numismatic Museum of Athens.
Welcome to one of Greece’s most important museums. Here at the Numismatic Museum, we celebrate the history of coinage. Our journey explores currency’s crucial role in shaping economies from ancient times to today.
The Numismatic Museum houses an astounding collection. Over 500000 coins, medals, gems, weights, and stamps are here. These artifacts span from 1400 BC to modern times. This collection rivals those of the British Museum and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.
The museum’s roots trace back to 1829. The newly founded Greek state sought to protect its cultural heritage on the island of Aegina. This marked the beginning of organized coin collecting in Greece.
Greece’s first national numismatic collection started with 329 coins in 1834. It grew through donations, confiscations, purchases, and excavations. By the 1970s, it boasted over 50000 coins.
Today, the Numismatic Museum holds over 190000 pieces of currency. These come from 670 ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, and Modern hoards.
We are standing before the Iliou Melathron. This magnificent neoclassical building was built in 1878. It was the private residence of Heinrich Schliemann, a businessman and archaeologist. Ernst Ziller was the architect. It was Athens’ most impressive private residence. Its design blends Renaissance Revival and Neoclassicism. The interior reflects Pompeian architecture. Mosaics and murals depict Trojan War themes and Greek mottos.
Schliemann’s widow sold the building to the Greek state in 1927. It served as the Council of State and the Court of Cassation. The building suffered damage as a courthouse. A major renovation restored the floor mosaics and murals. The numismatic collection was inaugurated here in 1998. The entire collection was viewable by 2007.
The Numismatic Museum’s collection follows the history of coinage. It includes coins from Greek city-states, the Hellenistic world, and the Roman Republic. Byzantine and Medieval coins from Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire are also featured.
Many coins came from hoards. Others came from Aegina. Still others came from excavations and donations.
The Numismatic Museum also has a specialized library. It contains 12000 books on coinage. A conservation laboratory is on-site.
Before you leave, consider the owl of Athens. You can see it on an original ancient coin here at the Numismatic Museum. This is just one example of the rich political, commercial, and social history you can explore through our collection. The Numismatic Museum is not just for fanatics. It is for anyone interested in history.