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Bangladesh Bank Currency Museum, Dhaka. Photo by Jaman MD.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Currency Museum of Bangladesh

It’s all about money at the Currency Museum! This numismatic museum is located in Mirpur, Dhaka. It is set up on the first and second floors of the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy.  It was inaugurated in October 2013 as an initiative of the Bangladesh Bank.

The building houses a vast collection of thousands of coins and notes from ancient Bengali eras, modern Bangladesh, and samples from over a hundred different countries. It is fascinating really, how the idea of currency has evolved.

Visitors get to journey through the different evolution stages of currency, and modes of trade at the museum. The collection of commemorative coins issued at significant events is impressive.

Donations are made to the museum and anyone can deposit coins or notes to add to the collection.

 Whether you’re a literal lover of money or a history fanatic, the Currency Museum is indeed a fun and educative space to pop in whenever you’re in the area.

Let’s have a look at some of the top fascinating facts about the museum.

1. Currency Museum was originally established in 2009

Also referred to as ‘Taka Museum’, it was first set up in 2009 at the main building of Bangladesh Bank head office in Motijheel, a division in Dhaka.

It was located on the 3^rd floor and was not open to the general public. In 2012, Dr. Atiur Rhaman, governor of Bangladesh Bank took the initiative to establish a full fledge currency museum that would be fully equipped and open to all.

This was in consideration of the necessity to preserve and showcase the nation’s currency evolution.

The museum collects, preserves, and displays the various currencies. It also does research into the monetary traditions of Bangladesh and makes publications. There is so much to learn about currencies here.

2. Its modern version was inaugurated in 2013

Foundation Stone laid by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Photo by Jaman Md.

On 27 April 2013, a foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On 5 October 2013, the ‘Taka Museum was inaugurated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.

It has since been open to the public. Entry is free. It is closed on Thursdays and public holidays for maintenance. Accessing the museum is easy, with the main form of transport in Dhaka being the rickshaw. Visitors can also take a bus from the Mohakhali or Farmgate bus stand.

3. It has a vast collection of coins and notes from different Bengali eras

Ancient currencies at Taka Museum. Photo by Ahmed Madhurjo Haque.

The currency dates back as far as the 4^th century BC. The collection is from various political and historic areas in Bengali history.

It contains some of the oldest punch-marked silver coins of the Indian subcontinent from the Kushan Empire, Delhi Sultans, Bengali, and Mughal Empire. You’ll also find currency from the colonial British era.

Gold coins from the Sultanate of Delhi are on display. Indo-Greek silver coins and cowry shells used for trade in ancient times rest beautifully on the shelves. It’s a currency trip back in time and through it at the museum.

4. Its galleries include a display of currency from over a hundred countries

Gallery 3 of Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum on 2nd floor. Photo by Jaman Md.

These are from about 153 countries. They have either been donated by the countries themselves or just found within circulation in Bangladesh.

They include coins, paper, and polymer notes from countries all over the world. Find polished notes from the former Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Bulgaria.

There are also modern currencies from the United States, Spain, England, and Switzerland, among other countries.

5. Commemorative notes and coins are part of the Museum’s collection

These include currency issued by the Bangladesh Bank in memory of significant events and eminent people.

Some of these are the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, the 25^th anniversary of Bangladesh, the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, and a note in memory of the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s poetry.

There are notes on the Football World Cup in Russia 2018 and the Bangladesh Cricket World Cup 2011.

6. Visitors can have their faces printed on souvenir notes!

There is a digital photo kiosk at the museum where visitors can have their faces printed on a note. Talk about a souvenir with a personal touch to it! It’s a must-do to commemorate a visit to the Currency Museum. Purchases of some of the notes and coins can be made as well.

7. Bangladesh Bank organizes programs to collect foreign currency

Collections inside Currency Museum. Photo by Ahmed Madhurjo Haque.

At its inception in 2013, the Bangladesh Numismatic Collector’s Society handed over about 100 coins from different eras. This was done in a special ceremony organized by various stakeholders, including Bangladesh Bank.

Some of the historically significant coins received include 48 coins from the Alauddin Hussain Shah era and 29 of the Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah era.

Programs are set up to receive foreign notes and coins from dignitaries visiting the country once in a while.

8. Anyone can deposit notes or coins at the museum’s collection

To enrich the collection of currencies at the museum, people are allowed to donate coins or notes. Anyone can make these deposits.

Efforts to increase the size of the collection have been intense and arguably successful. As of 2021, the museum had about 10, 000 notes and coins in its overall collection.

9. No bags are allowed inside the museum

Every institution has its do’s and don’ts, and for good reason. At the Currency Museum, visitors have to leave their bags at the entrance point.

Only phones and wallets are allowed. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is to avoid incidences of theft from the collection. Gold ornaments are also prohibited inside the museum.

10. The Museum has a fascinating exterior design

Terracotta mural at Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum. Photo by Jaman MD.

Although the museum is relatively small, its design is rather creative. There’s a steel structured ‘money tree’ on the entrance wall of the museum. It has replicas of coins in ancient Bengali and the present day carved into it.

There’s  a terracotta mural on the right side of the entrance depicting a series of transactions from ancient eras to modern times.