Exhibition “The Other Side of the Coin”

150 coins and selected historical evidence

The exhibition “The Other Side of the Coin” includes:

• 150 coins from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection that showcase the other side of coins. They capture faces and narrate events from Greek mythology and antiquity, while they also include figures and instances from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
• The Collection Timeline that lists the most significant events, and includes selected documents and photos that have sealed the progress and evolution of the Collection. They are a part of history, paying tribute to the memory of its founder, Yiannis S. Costopoulos.

A special educational corner with audiovisual apps and videos has also been set up. It includes digital games about coins as well as the 2 educational museum kits.

Aim of the exhibition

The exhibition aims to showcase the “Other Side of the Coin”, which transforms it from a utilitarian object into:

• A medium for communicating and transmitting messages.
• A snapshot immortalising persons and events.
• An artwork reflecting the artistic currents and the creative talent of its engravers during the period when it was put into circulation.

Coins have also been linked to the demonstration of power, and confirm independent political existence and autonomy. Besides, coins could only be issued by social groups empowered to institute their own laws – that is, they were autonomous, which derives from the Greek words auto = self and nomos = law.

Yiannis S. Costopoulos: The Numismatic Collection founder

Yiannis S. Costopoulos (1938-2021) was a prominent banker and the historic leader of the Alpha Bank Group. Having studied Naval Architecture at King’s College in the UK, he embarked on his career at the Commercial Credit Bank in 1963. From 1996 to 2005 he served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Alpha Bank. In 2014 he received the title of Honorary Chairman of the Board.

Owing to his great passion for Greek culture, in 1972 Yiannis Costopoulos purchased the numismatic collections of A. Andreopoulos and A. Meletopoulos, starting off the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection. From 1984 to 2015, the Collection was enriched with another 7 private collections. Meanwhile, it expanded continuously with purchases of coins on auction abroad.

Contributors

Exhibition curator: Dr Dimitra Tsangari, numismatist and curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.

Artistic and architectural design: Stamatis Zannos.

Educational graphics: Elias Chatzichristodoulou, founder of the Athens Digital Arts Festival.

The exhibition is accompanied by the same-titled publication The Other Side of the Coin: Persons – Images – Moments. It was edited by Dr Dimitra Tsangari.

Buy the publication The Other Side of the Coin: Persons – Images – Moments on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

A tour into the history of coins

The Curator of the Numismatic Collection, Dr Dimitra Tsangari, will be hosting guided tours of the exhibition, open to the public.

You’ll have the chance to observe coins, not just as a simple utilitarian item, but as a history book and a work of art that reflects the creative talent of the era when it was put into circulation.

Info about the guided tours

Where: Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, temporary exhibition hall
When: Saturday 13, 20, 27 May and 10, 24 June, 13:00
Runs for: 1 hour
No. of participants: 3 to 25 people
Cost: Free of charge
Tickets: By online booking
Contact phone number: +302103262461 (Matina Dimopoulou)