The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection museum kit at Plato Academy, Illinois

The educational museum kit of Numismatic Collection, centred around the history of currency, has made its longest voyage to date, travelling all the way to the Plato Academy in Chicago, Illinois, in the USΑ. 70 students participated in the initiative and had the chance of seeing up close a unique aspect of Greek civilisation: ancient coins.

Students discover ancient coins

At Plato Academy, Illinois, Greek language and history teaching is a key element of the curriculum. This is why our museum kit served not only as a learning tool, but as a comprehensive experience bringing students closer to the cultural heritage of Greece.

Guided by the bilingual edition of the educational programme and the rich visual material, students followed the journey of coinage from its first appearance to its establishment and spread in the Greek world.

Through group activities of observation, discovery and interpretation, the students explored the images and symbols depicted on ancient coins, and discussed the ideas they represented. This way, they got to know the main means of transaction, which originated in Ancient Greece and shaped the evolution of numismatic history globally.

To gain a more hands-on understanding of the ancient technique, the children:

• Experimented with clay moulds and modelling clay and created their own coins.
• Examined exact replicas of ancient coins from different historical periods.

Once the programme was completed, the “two sides of the coin” were revealed: a means of transaction, but also a carrier of culture, reflecting the power, values and history of the Greek world.

Teachers talk about the experience

Thrilled with the students’ enthusiastic participation, the teachers stated that this experience was one of the most successful initiatives they have undertaken so far, as it combined learning and interaction in a unique way.

As Mr Zafeiris Makridis, teacher at Plato Academy, Illinois, noted, “On behalf of the school, we want to extend our warm thanks to Alpha Bank for this valuable initiative and the chance it offered to a school of the Greek diaspora, on the other side of the world, to come into contact with such an important part of the Greek cultural heritage. The museum kit was more than just an activity. It was a living lesson in history and culture, which inspired our students to get excited about learning and feel proud of their roots."