Museums That Make Cents
Make your summer travels count—literally. Here is a curated selection of must-see numis exhibitions on view now.
Even on vacation, numismatists often seek opportunities to expand their currency knowledge. One of the most rewarding ways to combine leisure with learning is by visiting local museums and exploring their numismatic collections. To help you plan your next getaway with some numismatic fun in your schedule, here’s a curated list of must-see currency-related exhibitions at museums from around the world.
MONEY!
The Economy Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Displaying 3,000 objects that span Sweden’s numismatic history, the “MONEY!” exhibition at The Economy Museum offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s currency culture. As one of the museum’s first permanent exhibitions, the show pairs interactive features—including activities like lifting a copy of the world’s largest coin—with historical displays on fascinating subjects, like the Lohe Hoard and World War II ration coupons.
Georges Mathieu: Geste, Vitesse, Mouvement
Monnaie de Paris, Paris, France
In the first exhibition of the artist’s work in over 50 years, Monnaie de Paris and the Centre Pompidou have collaborated to showcase the abstract genius of French artist Georges Mathieu (1921–2012). The retrospective showcases his multi-decade-long painting career and highlights his collaborations with the French Mint and his contribution to the well-known 10-franc coin.
MoneyArt: Aesthetics of Currencies Across Times and Cultures
University of Calgary Nickle Galleries, Alberta, Canada
The artistic details and intricacies of making currency are the focus of the Nickle Galleries’ “MoneyArt: Aesthetics of Currencies Across Times and Cultures” exhibition. The exhibition crafts a visual conversation that encourages visitors to analyze the relationship between art and money by investigating the design details of numismatic artifacts and contemporary pieces. The show is on view until August 22 and was curated by Marina Fischer in collaboration with the Bank of Canada Museum.
Highlights from the J. Eric Engstrom Churchill Medal Collection
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Winston Churchill, the Ashmolean has curated a display in its Money Gallery of numismatic memorabilia related to the British political icon. The items are on view until November 30th and include a selection of medals and coins, such as a rare proof of a commemorative £2 coin by the Royal Mint celebrating the 150th anniversary.
See the Churchill exhibition yourself with Numismatic News! Join Senior Editor Sophia Mattimiro and Pricing Analyst Jeff Starck as they host a fabulous numismatics-filled tour of London and Wales this fall. The itinerary was carefully crafted by our expert editorial team and includes a trip to the Ashmolean Museum. Go to store.numismaster.com to learn more.
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