"Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma" Travelling Museum Kit

The “Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma” travelling museum kit is an Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection educational programme that has been approved by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. Through targeted educational activities, we give students the chance to get an insight into the history of coins in antiquity, starting with the appearance of coinage in the 7th century BCE. 

We send the travelling museum kit to schools in Greece and abroad throughout the school year. 

Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma: explaining the name 

A rule put down in writing (nomos) that with time became a habit (nomizo) and, in the end, a token used in transactions (nomisma). This is the etymological connection between the words in the kit’s name. 

For the kit creators, this name was an opportunity to better illustrate the linguistic wealth of Greek, the admirable structure of its system, and the associations triggered by its rules. Starting from the end, they found that the history of nomisma – the Greek word for coin still used today – is as long as the very history of coinage taught through the programme.  

Recognising Alpha Bank’s social contribution 

The “Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma” educational programme was launched in 2017. 

In 2019 it received the Corporate Responsibility Award in the “Society, Culture and Sports” category during the 8th instalment of the Awards organised by the Hellenic Advertisers Association. 

The history of coins 

The programme’s main learning objective is for students to become familiar with the history of coins since they were first used as a transaction method. Ideally, they should broaden their knowledge on the matter through a close look at the development of coinage since antiquity.  

By accessing the case material, students:  

• Acquire considerable knowledge on how coins first came to be and how they developed in time. 
• Understand the rules governing coin iconography.
• Have a chance to actually hold in their hands exact replicas of the 6 most typical ancient coins. 
• Discover the history of 50 coins issued by several cities and rulers. 
• Get to know Hercules, one of the most important heroes in Greek mythology, and learn about some of his famous labours. 

Encouraging creativity and teamwork 

With some help from their teacher, students are inspired to realise their creative potential and learn to work together through group activities, including: 

• Making coins according to the ancient technique, using clay dies and modelling clay or plasticine. 
• Drawing their own coin, which stimulates their imagination. 
• Identifying cities and areas on a large, jigsaw puzzle-like map that they lay on the floor like a mat as they solve it.  

Instructions for teachers 

These describe the contents and explain how to run the programme and recommended activities. 

Printed or digital informative material 

• The book Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma. This is the main reference material for the programme and remains at the school as a donated item. Available in Greek and English.  
• 1 USB flash drive. The drive contains the programme presentation and a video on ancient coins. 
• Descriptions and information accompanying the 6 ancient coin replicas.  
• Quad-fold activity leaflets. These include exercises that help consolidate the knowledge gained from the programme. 1 leaflet per student.  

Interactive material 

• 1 jigsaw-puzzle map (24 pcs). The finished map dimensions are 130x190 cm. 
• 100 round coin cards. Each of the 50 coins is represented by 2 cards: the front shows one side of the coin, while the back has the coin description. 
• 6 replicas of ancient coins. The students get to hold in their hands 6 exact replicas of original ancient coins included in the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.  

Coin-making tools and materials 

• 5 pairs of clay dies. Each pair of dies depicts the 2 sides of a coin. By pressing a round of clay or plasticine between the dies, students mint their own coins. This is an ideal, hands-on method for learning about ancient coin-making techniques. 
• Clay and plasticine. These are the materials to be used by students while minting their own coins. 
• 50 drawing sheets. Students can draw their own version of a coin type inside the circular border on the sheet. 

Activity assessment material 

A questionnaire for you to let us know what you thought of our travelling museum kit. To be completed by the teacher who carried out the programme activities. 

Supplementary material for special educational needs schools and visually impaired students 

• 1 box containing 4 enlarged replicas of ancient coins. Enlarged objects make it easier for students to feel the details with their fingers and learn through tactile resources.  
• The book Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma in Braille.  

To join the programme and have the travelling museum kit delivered to your school, fill in and send the online application form.  

We will then contact you to make delivery arrangements. The travelling museum kit will come to you free of charge, as we cover all delivery costs. 

We will deliver it directly to your school. The spinner suitcase weighs approximately 20 kg and its dimensions are 46x26x60 cm. The wooden kit inside the suitcase resembles a small safe with 3 drawers. 

If more than 1 classes in your school are interested in participating in the activities and there is a considerable number of students to include, you may receive 2 travelling museum kits, depending on availability.