Exhibition “Hellenic Coinage. The Alpha Bank Collection”

The history of coins

The theme of the exhibition is the history of the basic means of exchange in antiquity, from the pre-coin period to the period after coinage was invented. The various thematic sections showcase how coins spread across the ancient world.

There are separate sections dedicated to different numismatic themes.

The first exhibition of a great collection

With the exhibition “Hellenic Coinage. The Alpha Bank Collection” the Bank presents its Numismatic Collection to the general public for the first time.

The treasures of the Collection tell the story of coins, taking visitors on a journey through time and space.

The exhibits

The exhibition showcases 450 ancient coins from the entire ancient Greek world. Exhibits are complemented with a wealth of useful material, such as maps, drawings, representations and photos.

Visitors have the chance to admire the only known tetradrachm of Tigraios, ruler of Elymais, as well as the third known octadrachm of Alexander I, the first Macedonian king.

Also on display are extremely rare coins issued by Delos, Delphi, Chalkis, Sparta, Asia Minor and other areas of the ancient world.

A journey through time and space

The exhibition is structured in distinct sections:

• The invention of coinage – Visitors see the means of exchange used during the pre-coin period, i.e. the talent and the obol. Next in line are the invention of coins, bimetallism and the first coins in the Greek world.
• The coins of the ancient world – Visitors may admire coins issued by different cities, kings, state unions and nations, with the help of a map of the Antiquity. The exhibition spans from today’s Great Britain to India and from Ukraine to Africa.
• The strongest currencies in Antiquity – Visitors may admire the many coins issued by Athens and Alexander the Great, including the 2 most powerful coins of antiquity: the Athenian owl and Alexander’s tetradrachm, respectively.
• Various numismatic subjects – The exhibition presents subjects related to how ancient coins were made and what they depicted. Visitors may see coins bearing the signature of their engravers.
• Imitations – The exhibition displays ancient coins imitating Greek coins.
• Coins-works of art – Visitors may admire ancient coins which are true works of art. Mostly anonymous artists would often engrave themes on the small metal surface, turning coins into masterpieces of ancient Greek art.
• Rare items – At the end of the exhibition, visitors may admire some of the rare coins in Alpha Bank’s Collection.

Contributors

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

Artistic and architectural design: Stamatis Zannos.

Guided tours

Guided tours for the general public, as well as specially organised tours for schools, are also available.

Exhibition catalogue

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Hellenic Coinage. The Alpha Bank Collection. The publication is available in Greek and in English. It includes 206 selected coins from across the ancient world. Coins are displayed both in natural size and enlarged, accompanied by a short historical account. It was edited by Dr Dimitra Tsangari.

Buy the publication Hellenic Coinage. The Alpha Bank Collection on the Alpha Bank e-shop.