Alpha Bank, which owns one of the most important collections of ancient coins in the world, is bringing more than 100 ancient coins to Bucharest, which can be seen from Friday at the BNR Museum.

For the first time in Romania, the public will be able to admire one of the first ever issued coins, the hekta, made of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, minted in Asia Minor – Ionia or Lydia – between 630 and 600. At the same time, the exhibition presents the first Greek coins minted on Aegina, coins that were used in international transactions, such as tetradrachms of Athens with an owl on the reverse and coins of the type of Alexander the Great or coins of Callatis and Histria.

“Having organized the exhibition “Two Sides of the Coin: Means of Trade – Masterpieces of Art”, the National Bank of Romania has the joy of keeping in its museum for six months some of the rarest and most valuable coins of mankind, they are part of the numismatic collection of Alfa Bank, which is considered by experts to be one of the most important collections of ancient coins in the world. Today, we are used to looking at money only from the standpoint of its immediate benefit, which is natural in society and at a time when transformations occur almost every day and everything happens quickly. But it was not always like that. There were historical eras when currency was one of the most important means of communication. It is difficult or perhaps impossible for some to believe that a small piece of metal played a role in ancient times comparable to the function of today’s social networks,” said Mugur Iserescu, head of the National Bank of Romania.

The National Bank of Romania and Alpha Bank Romania are organizing from September 22, 2023 to March 1, 2024 the exhibition “Two sides of the coin. The medium of exchange is Masterpieces of art.” This is the first visit outside Greece of the Alpha Bank numismatic collection, one of the most important collections of ancient coins in the world, and the first exhibition with international participation organized in the Museum of the BNR.

The exhibition highlights the historical and cultural significance of coins and their role in communication and financial education, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.

Through 100 exhibits housed in the Museum of the BNR, visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to make an imaginary journey into the world of ancient Greece and Greek mythology. Genuine works of art, the coins depict personalities and historical events or sporting events that illustrate Hellenic culture and civilization and their influence on all European culture.

“The exhibition presents to the general public of Romania the most important coins of the numismatic collection of Alpha Bank, one of the most valuable in the world. We are delighted to introduce visitors to the stories of the first ever issued coins and are honored to collaborate with the National Bank of Romania in this project, which highlights the historical importance of coins and the protection of cultural heritage. It is an educational event for all ages that also reminds of the economic and cultural ties between Greece and Romania and the evolution of trade relations over time. We hope that for children it will be an unprecedented excursion into the history of currencies and an opportunity to learn about the role of money in human society over time,” said Sergiu Oprescu, Executive President of Alpha Bank Romania and CEO of Alpha Bank. International group network.

“Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection is proud to present in Romania its first exhibition outside of Greece with a collection of 100 coins of great historical importance. Organized jointly by Alpha Bank Romania and the National Bank of Romania, the exhibition “Two Sides of the Coin” focuses on two interpretations of the coin: the coin as a means of transaction and as a masterpiece of art. As a medium of exchange, the coin first appeared in the second half of the 7th century BC to facilitate daily commercial exchange in a certain geographic area, providing payment to officials and troops, mediating tax payments, and facilitating public works. Coinage also functioned as a form of political communication, mainly allowing rulers to demonstrate their power and city-states to assert their independence and autonomy. At the same time, the coin is a work of art that reflects the creative talent of the engravers and the artistic trends characteristic of the period of their production. The Greeks were the first to depict real stories on small metal discs, the artistic elements present on coins turned these practical objects into true works of art. The coins depict moments from Greek mythology, personalities or historical events, especially from the Hellenistic era, as they would later depict personalities and events from Roman and Byzantine history,” said Dr. Dimitra Tsangari, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.

The exhibition also has a section dedicated to the visually impaired, where 10 rare coins from the collection and their history are presented in Braille.

Alfa Bank’s numismatic collection includes about 11,000 ancient coins and is considered one of the most valuable in the world.