Museum - Visitor Centre of the National Bank of Hungary

The Visitor Centre is an exhibition focusing on the areas, concepts and deices closely related to the Bank's activities. The Centre covers a wide range of apparently very different topics whose central unifying theme is (what else could it be?) money. The exhibition begins by describing how money developed over the ages, what notes and coins are in circulation and how they are protected against counterfeit. It also includes a display of exotic banknotes, commemorative coins and other special money from all over the world.

Programmes

Lectures on the history of money

Lectures on Economy

Guide

further programmes

Permanent exhibitions

The History of Money

This section of the exhibition deals With the reasons behind the evolution of money, the factors determining cash mol ement and 110\1 money is being replaced in the 21st century by modern devices. Next to kaori shells, salt and teabricks. precious metals emerges as a suitable tool for barter Metal and coins satisfy lie seven main requirements for flexible and smooth trading. The most important aim is to will and maintain users' (that is to say everybody's) confidence in a given currency.

The Currencies of Hungary

This section on the history of currencies displays the most important and interesting pieces of the MNB's Banknote and Coin Collection comprising nearly 50 000 pieces. The history of Hungarian currency dates back to St. Stephen's first denar with the circular inscription LANCEA REGIS/REGIA CIVITAS.

Bank History

This sectioín is divided into two parts. The first deals with the history of the monumental main building designed by Ignác Alpár, which dates hack to the period before the establishment of the independent bank itself. The second focuses on the main periods of the Banks history from its formation in 1924 to the present.

Interactive games

One of the Center's goals is to allow you to learn more about a number of interesting topics related to the Bank's activities at your own pace. In addition to 'serious' financial themes, we would like to offer you a chance to check in a playful way what you have learned at the exhibition or try our games connected to money.

further exhibitions