The British Museum
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The HSBC Gallery
eyeOpener gallery tour / Free / Daily, 14.15–14.55
The history of money can be traced back over four thousand years. During this time, currency has taken many different forms, ranging from shells in ancient China to massive stone discs on the Island of Yap in the western Pacific.
Great Ming Circulating Treasure Note, AD 1375 More information
Great Ming Circulating Treasure Note, AD 1375
Gold 5 unites of King Charles I ('Juxon Medal'), probably from dies engraved by Abraham Vanderdoort", AD 1930s More information
Gold 5 unites of King Charles I ('Juxon Medal'), probably from dies engraved by Abraham Vanderdoort", AD 1930s
Raffia cloth currency, 4th century AD More information
Raffia cloth currency, 4th century AD
Aes signatum or money ingot, early 3rd century BC More information
Aes signatum or money ingot, early 3rd century BC
Room 68 demonstrates the development of money across the world through a range of objects and examines how money has been used by diverse cultural groups.
Exhibits illustrate the importance of money to past individuals, cultures, nations, and empires, while also exploring how our use of coins and paper money today continues to be transformed by the advent of plastic cards and computer banking.
See this gallery on the floor plan
Bronze reliquary and Kushan co
Michelangelo: money and medals
A tribute to cats and cat-lovers, £9.99
Explore the cultures of the world in UK museums on the World Timelines website.
