Numismatic Museum of Athens: Delve into Millennia of Coinage & Monetary History in a Grand Neoclassical Mansion

Claim to Fame

Housed in the exquisite Iliou Melathron, the Numismatic Museum of Athens boasts one of the world’s richest collections of coins, banknotes, medals, and monetary artifacts—from ancient Greek drachmas to modern European currencies.

📌 Navigating Numismatic Museum : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by age and membership status, with discounts for students and seniors.
How Long to Visit: A typical visit lasts about 1 to 2 hours, depending on interest in the exhibits.
Washrooms: Washrooms are available for visitors within the museum facilities.
Hours of Operation: The museum operates from 9 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed on Mondays.
Important Information: It is recommended to check the museum's website for any special exhibits or events before your visit.
Handicap Accessible: The museum is handicap accessible, featuring ramps and elevators for easy navigation.
Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the museum, except for service animals.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can be booked in advance for a more in-depth experience.
Restaurant or Cafe: There is a café on-site offering light refreshments and snacks for visitors.
Gift Shop: A gift shop is located within the museum, featuring numismatic-related souvenirs and educational materials.
Parking: The Numismatic Museum offers limited parking options nearby, with street parking available in the vicinity.
Family Friendly: The Numismatic Museum is family friendly, providing engaging exhibits suitable for visitors of all ages.
Photography: Photography is permitted in certain areas of the museum, but flash photography may be restricted.
WIFI: Free WIFI is available throughout the museum for visitor convenience.
Picnic Area: Picnic areas are not available on museum grounds, but nearby parks offer suitable spaces.

📌Heads up: All times, prices and visitor policies are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for the most recent information.

Photos of Numismatic Museum

Set within a lavish 19th-century mansion on Panepistimiou Avenue, the Numismatic Museum invites visitors to trace the evolution of money as art, economy, and cultural symbol. Its galleries showcase over 500,000 objects: sculpted tribute coins of Alexander the Great, hammered Byzantines, Ottoman sultani, Renaissance medals, and rare early paper banknotes. Through coin typologies, design innovations, and metallurgical advances, the museum reveals how societies expressed identity, power, and trade across the ages.

What to Expect

Begin on the ground floor in the Ancient Coinage Hall—examine Archaic electrum staters, Classical Athenian “owl” tetradrachms, and Hellenistic issues with finely engraved portraits. Level 1 presents Byzantine and Medieval numismatics: solidi, miliaresia, and Venetian grosso coins that shaped Mediterranean commerce. Level 2 explores modern coinage and paper money—Ottoman piasters, 19th-century Greek drachmas, world war emergency issues, and exquisite banknote engravings. Interactive stations let you compare denominations by weight and metal, while thematic displays illustrate the coin’s role in propaganda and ritual.

Temporary exhibitions spotlight subjects like “Icons on Coins” or “Banknotes as National Narratives.” Don’t miss the cabinet of minting tools, die-engraver’s models, and the museum’s conservation lab visible through a glass partition. The elegant salon-style reading room and gift shop—offering collectible replicas and scholarly catalogues—complete the experience.

Background and Cultural Context

Founded in 1893 by Ioannis Svoronos and later housed in the Iliou Melathron (designed by Ernst Ziller in 1878), the museum embodies Greece’s commitment to preserving monetary heritage. Its collection grew from state treasuries, private donations, and archaeological finds across Greek territories and beyond. As a research center under the Academy of Athens, the museum publishes numismatic studies, hosts international conferences, and collaborates with mints worldwide.

Coins and banknotes reflect shifting political regimes, artistic trends, and economic crises—from Athens’s maritime league silver to modern euro-area notes—making the museum both a treasury of beauty and a chronicle of human exchange.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings (10–12 PM) offer quiet galleries and attentive curatorial staff. Late afternoons (3–5 PM) provide softer light in the mansion’s ornate salons. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) avoid peak tourist flows. First Sundays (November–March) grant free admission—arrive early to reserve audio guides for in-depth commentary.

How to Get There

The Numismatic Museum is located at 12 Panepistimiou Avenue, adjacent to the Athens University campus. Metro: Line 2 to Panepistimiou–Victoria station, then a 5-minute walk. Buses: routes 025 and 608 stop on Panepistimiou; trolley Line 1 serves nearby. Taxi drop-off is at the porte-cochère entrance. The historic building is wheelchair-accessible via a discreet ramp at the rear and elevator to all exhibition levels.

Photo Opportunities

Glint of ancient silver and gold coins displayed under gallery spotlights
Ornate neoclassical façade of the Iliou Melathron framed by plane trees
Close-up of a finely engraved Alexander the Great tetradrachm in the Ancient Coinage Hall
Banknote gallery’s panoramic wall of colorful paper money under soft daylight
Interior shot of the grand staircase and chandelier in the museum’s entrance hall

Travel Tips

Purchase combined-museum tickets (with the Byzantine and Christian and Cycladic Museums) for savings and streamlined entry.
Download the museum’s free audio guide app for detailed numismatic commentary and high-resolution coin images.
Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore all three levels and temporary exhibitions at a relaxed pace.
Visit the salon reading room to consult numismatic reference works and catalogs.
Combine your visit with a stroll through the nearby National Library and Academy buildings for a full architectural day.

FAQs

Is photography allowed?
Non-flash, handheld photography is permitted for personal use; tripods and professional equipment require advance approval.

Are guided tours available?
Yes—daily guided tours in English and Greek depart at 11 AM; private group tours can be arranged through the museum office.

Is the museum child-friendly?
Yes—interactive coin-handling stations, children’s activity sheets, and periodic family workshops engage younger visitors in the world of numismatics.

Is there an admission fee?
Yes—general admission is €6 (reduced €3); EU citizens under 25 and all on first Sunday of the month (Nov–Mar) enter free.

Final Thoughts

The Numismatic Museum of Athens offers a singular window into the art, economy, and politics of civilizations across time. Whether you’re captivated by the gleam of ancient coinage or the narratives woven into paper money, this elegant museum delivers a richly detailed journey through the currencies that shaped human history.

Things To Do near Numismatic Museum

Plaka

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Plaka is 0.3 Kilometer(s) / 0.2 Mile(s)

guard at the Hellenic Parliament

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to guard at the Hellenic Parliament is 0.3 Kilometer(s) / 0.2 Mile(s)

National Garden of Athens

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to National Garden of Athens is 0.6 Kilometer(s) / 0.4 Mile(s)

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Temple of Olympian Zeus is 1.4 Kilometer(s) / 0.9 Mile(s)

Panathenaic Stadium

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Panathenaic Stadium is 1.6 Kilometer(s) / 1 Mile(s)

Acropolis

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Acropolis is 1.8 Kilometer(s) / 1.1 Mile(s)

Acropolis Museum

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Acropolis Museum is 1.8 Kilometer(s) / 1.1 Mile(s)

Ancient Agora

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Ancient Agora is 1.9 Kilometer(s) / 1.2 Mile(s)

National Archaeological Museum

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to National Archaeological Museum is 2.3 Kilometer(s) / 1.4 Mile(s)

Lycabettus Hill

The Distance from Numismatic Museum to Lycabettus Hill is 2.3 Kilometer(s) / 1.4 Mile(s)

📘 Athens Visitors Travel Information

Time Zone: Athens operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC +2. During Daylight Saving Time (late March to late October), it shifts to UTC +3.

Weather: Athens has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F), while winter temperatures generally stay between 8°C and 15°C (46°F to 59°F). Rainfall is most common from November to March.

Population: Athens has a population of around 3.2 million in the metropolitan area, making it the largest city in Greece. The city is a major cultural, political, and economic hub with continuous habitation dating back over 3,000 years.

Size: Athens covers an area of about 412 square kilometers (159 square miles) and is located in the Attica region of Greece. Surrounded by mountains and the Saronic Gulf, the city features a mix of ancient ruins and modern neighborhoods.

Language: Greek is the official language spoken in Athens. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger generations and those working in hospitality and retail.

Currency: The official currency is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are accepted in most establishments, but cash is often preferred in small shops, markets, and taxis. ATMs are widely available.

Safety: Athens is generally safe for tourists. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas and public transportation. Visitors should remain alert and take standard safety precautions.

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Athens. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is common. Small tips for taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides are also appreciated.

Electricity and Plugs: Greece uses 230V electricity at 50Hz. Plug types C and F are standard. Travelers from North America and other regions will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter.

Water: Tap water in Athens is generally safe to drink, especially in the city. In some rural areas or islands, bottled water is recommended due to differences in taste or mineral content.

Annual Visitors: Athens receives over 6 million international visitors annually, attracted by its rich historical landmarks such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, and ancient Agora, as well as its lively neighborhoods and Mediterranean cuisine.

Visa Requirements: Citizens of EU countries and many others do not need a visa for short visits to Greece. Non-EU visitors should check the Schengen visa rules. A valid passport is required for entry.

Health & Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to enter Greece. Routine vaccinations such as measles, tetanus, and hepatitis A are recommended. Summer travelers may also consider sun protection and mosquito precautions.

Transportation: Athens has an extensive public transportation network, including buses, trams, and a modern metro system. Taxis are widely available and relatively affordable. Walking is practical in the historic center.

Food: Greek cuisine in Athens includes iconic dishes such as souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita, and fresh seafood. Local markets and tavernas offer traditional meals, while modern restaurants showcase innovative Greek cooking.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms: Greek culture values hospitality and family. It’s polite to greet with a handshake or a smile. Respect for elders and traditions is important. Dress modestly when visiting churches or religious sites.

Telecommunications & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is widely available in Athens, including cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Mobile coverage is strong, and local SIM cards with data plans are affordable and easy to purchase.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended for visitors to Athens. While Greece has a public healthcare system, non-EU travelers are responsible for all medical costs without coverage.

Did You Know? - Facts About Numismatic Museum

In addition to coins, the museum also features ancient weights, stamps, and medals, offering visitors a comprehensive view of ancient trade and commerce.

The collection includes coins from ancient Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and beyond, showcasing the development of currency and economic systems throughout history.

The museum’s neoclassical building is a work of art itself, with beautifully decorated rooms and a courtyard, providing a unique setting for exploring the history of money.

The museum is housed in the historic mansion of Heinrich Schliemann, the famous archaeologist who discovered the ruins of Troy.

The Numismatic Museum in Athens is one of the world’s most important museums dedicated to the history of coins, with a collection of over 600,000 items.