At the start of this month I recently went to Germany to visit some friends for my birthday. Whilst there I finally had a chance to visit the Bundesbank Money museum in Frankfurt.
I should start off by saying how great this museum actually is. It is far larger than any other money museum I have visited so far, although I will admit that the number of items on display are far fewer than others I have been to, in terms of actual historical items.
The museum is split into 4 general areas. Two of which actually showcase the variety of coins and banknotes globally and within Germany itself, drawing examples out from monetary history. The other two sections of the museum deal with finance itself and the role money has in society as well as how the banking sector works.
These last two sections were completely new to me. Well, to be more honest, new in the sense that the information presented was a lot more wide-ranging and complete compared to other museums. Often monetary policy and economic theory is just a small afterthought in most money museums. The sections start by showing how money had evolved from the simple exchange of goods to precious metals, to the more modern equivalents of balance transfers and electronic accounts. It goes through the history of banks, and how many ideas still used today in modern financial institutions were started back in medieval Italy and Venice.
Once through this section, visitors then get to come to grips to the more heady topics of inflation, printing of money, price exchanges between different currencies etc. Quite heavy topics to the uninitiated, and to most quite boring (one of the main complaints from a friend who visited the museum with me). I will admit, although have some interest in the area of economics, I did gloss over a lot of it (But to those with a keen interest, I do wholly recommend a visit).
Of course, sprinkled throughout the museum, including the economic sections on monetary policy, Germany’s financial history is explored. With the hyperinflation of the early 20th century being a great showcase into understanding some of the more heavier topics discussed in the later sections.
Overall, I fully enjoyed the museum. There was a dearth of information (written in both English and German) explaining a wide range of topics within the hobby itself. Of course most relating to Germany and the Eurozone. A definite must see if you happen to be in the Frankfurt area, with the added incentive being that it is completely free to enter!
Numismatic Exploits 