Exhibition “Myth and Coinage. Representations, Symbolisms and Interpretations from Greek Mythology”

1 exhibition in 2 museums

The modular exhibition “Myth and Coinage. Representations, Symbolisms and Interpretations from Greek Mythology” is hosted concurrently at the National Archaeological Museum and the Numismatic Museum.

Illustration of the Myth

The National Archaeological Museum hosts the “Illustration of the Myth”. The exhibition brings to light the mythological themes depicted on ancient coins.

It is divided into 5 sections:

1. The Dodecatheon.
2. Mythical creatures.
3. The demigod Heracles.
4. Secondary deities.
5. Heroes and mythical stories.

Use of the Myth

The Numismatic Museum hosts the “Use of the Myth”. The exhibition aims to showcase and interpret the representations of myths, as they are depicted on coins, and to shed light on their particular aspects.

In the end, the exhibition brings to light mythological iconographic themes in Europe and Greece in modern times.

Exhibits at the Archaeological Museum

The exhibition showcases for the first time:

• 261 coins from the Alpha Bank Collection.
• 71 coins of the Numismatic Museum.
• 79 selected ancient sculptures, vases and metalworks, from the collections of the National Archaeological Museum.

Exhibits at the Numismatic Museum

The exhibition showcases:

• 15 coins from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.
• 135 coins, 22 medals and 15 banknotes from the collections of the Numismatic Museum.
• 13 artefacts from the collections of the National Archaeological Museum.
• 2 paintings from the National Gallery.
• 1 painting from the Bank of Greece.

The scientific team

Exhibition curators:

• Dr Nikolaos Kaltsas, director of the National Archaeological Museum.
• Dr Despoina Evgenidou, director of the Numismatic Museum.
• Dr Dimitra Tsangari, curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.

The contributors

Artistic and architectural design: Stamatis Zannos (National Archaeological Museum).

Museographical study and applications: Velissarios Voutsas (Numismatic Museum).

Side events

Guided tours for the general public are available at both museums.

Interesting educational activities are also hosted in the context of the exhibition:

• “When a Coin shall roll, a Myth shall unfold”: Educational programme at the National Archaeological Museum, by Ms Nikoleta Xydea, archaeologist of the Museum. The programme is addressed to primary and secondary education students.
• “Myth and Coins in a Fairytale”: Educational programme organised in the context of “Sunday’s fairytale” programme of the National Archaeological Museum. Narration: Niki Kapari, Music: Giannis Pseimadas.
• “Make your own coin! Minting coins in ancient times”: Educational event held at the garden of the Numismatic Museum. Children have the opportunity to paint and mint their own coin, using copies of ancient dies.

Exhibition catalogue

The exhibition is accompanied by the catalogue Myth and Coinage. Representations, Symbolisms and Interpretations from the Greek Mythology, authored by Dr Dimitra Tsangari, Nikolaos Kaltsas, Despoina Evgenidou, Panagiotis Tselekas, Stamatoula Makrypodi. It was edited by Dimitra Tsangari.

Just like the exhibition, the catalogue is divided into 2 parts: “Illustration of the Myth” and “Use of the Myth”. It is available in Greek and in English.

Buy the publication Myth and Coinage. Representations, Symbolisms and Interpretations from the Greek Mythology on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

Press Releases and useful material

For more information about the exhibition “Myth and Coinage. Representations, Symbolisms and Interpretations from the Greek Mythology” you may read the relevant Press Releases issued by Alpha Bank:

• Press Release about the exhibition
• Press Release about the extension of the exhibition
• Press Release following the exhibition.

Don’t miss the exhibition's video, which presents a wealth of interesting information and material from the museum exhibits.