Numismatic Museum

About the museum

The Numismatic Museum was founded in 1834, the same year as the National Archaeological Museum, and is one of the oldest state museums in the country. In 1843 it shared premises with the Library of the University of Athens, and in 1867 it became a branch of it. Achilleas Postolakas, appointed in 1856, laid the foundations of the scientific organisation, while Ioannis Svoronos, director from 1890, moved the museum to the east wing of the Academy and in 1898 founded the international journal of numismatic archaeology.

In 1940 the collections were moved to the Bank of Greece for protection, and in 1946 the numismatic collections were installed on the first floor of the National Archaeological Museum, where a new exhibition was completed in 1956.

In 1984 the Ministry of Culture transferred Iliou Melathron, the former house of Heinrich Schliemann, to the museum; it required extensive restoration. In 1998 the permanent exhibition on ancient Greek coinage opened there, in 2003 the collections, library and equipment were moved, and in 2007 the exhibition on the second floor, with coins from the Roman period to today, was completed.

Highlights

• Housed in Iliou Melathron, the former home of Heinrich Schliemann
• Coins in the ancient Greek world: origin, circulation and ideology
• The Roman, Byzantine and medieval world
• Sections “Money and Society” and “Money and Cinema”
• Refreshment kiosk in the building's garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Το νόμισμα στον αρχαίο ελληνικό κόσμο – The first floor presents ancient Greek coins, talents and obols, as well as information on Heinrich Schliemann.
• Ο ρωμαϊκός, βυζαντινός και μεσαιωνικός κόσμος – Ο νεότερος κόσμος – A thematic route through coinage from the Roman period to the modern Greek state and today.

Founded

1834

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού

Director

Γιώργος Κακαβάς

Admission & discounts

Free admission cards are issued on application to, among others, teachers, archaeologists, architects and conservators.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Lift for visitors with mobility difficulties.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational programmes for schools and families.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The refreshment kiosk is in the garden of Iliou Melathron and is open daily 08:00–18:00. The shop on the first floor sells replicas of ancient coins and jewellery, cards, games and numismatic books.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The refreshment kiosk can host cultural events by arrangement.

Plan your visit