NUMISMATIC COLLECTION

The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection is considered one of the most important ones worldwide, comprising 11,000 coins from the ancient Greek world. A few extremely rare items stand out among them, representing unique specimens of ancient engraving art. The Collection spans a period from the end of the 7th century BC and the invention of coinage, to the 3rd century AD and the termination of coin production in the cities of the Roman Empire, and also includes a number of Roman and Byzantine coins. The primary aim of the Collection is to highlight the widespread dissemination of Greek culture and its influence on the ancient world. To this end, the Numismatic Collection organises exhibitions and lectures, participates in academic symposiums and international conferences, and produces relevant publications. The Collection’s permanent exhibition space at 41, Panepistimiou Street (Nikoloudis Arcade), presents a brief history of coinage: the pre-coin era, the first coin which circulated in late 7th/early 6th century BC, representative coins from the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods, and coins used as international currencies in antiquity. Tours and guided visits to the permanent exhibition are also available. Primary schools visiting the Numismatic Collection can also attend the educational programme "Learning about Ancient Coins", which accompanies the permanent exhibition.