Bank Negara Money Museum

Bank Negara Money Museum has expanded to include other galleries. It is now known as Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery. It is located within Bank Negara Malaysia premises and provides a good numismatic collection that traces the evolution of money. The history of how ancient people traded before the use of coins and notes is shown and described in detailed at many of the exhibits here. The collection of coins on display here include those from the times of the Malacca Sultanate, colonial money, private tokens, commemorative issues and other world currencies.

The numismatic collection include the following themes:

Early Money features the cockeral shaped money made from tin, brass kettle, shell-backed ingot made from tin and 1 cent, 1/100 cent tampang during the era of the 1400 to 1800.
Malay Sultanate Coins displays the coins made from tin and gold from the states of Melaka, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. Of particular interest is the pohon pitis or tin coin- trees of Kelantan that were produced by using moulds adapted from those used by the Chinese to cast copper coins. The copper coins were first introduced to the Malay States from China during the reign of Tang Dynasty from AD 618 to AD 906.
Colonial Money showcases the money used during the time of the rule of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and the Japanese. Coins and notes during the time of the Straits Settlements are also on display here. A good place to study the history of money in Malaysia.

The entrance to the well kept Money Museum at Bank Negara Malaysia.

Malaysian Currency Notes & Coins shows the beginning of the unique design of currencies used in Malaysia.
Malaysian Commemorative Issues displays the many notes and coins that were issued to commemorate special events such as the South East Asia Games, Employees Provident Fund 25th Anniversary, Independence commemorative coins and the World Wildlife Conservation coins.
World Currencies & Commemorative Issues showcases the currencies that were/are used in countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Switzerland, Kuwait, Italy, Demmark, Ghana, Falkland Islands and Seychelles Island.

Other Exhibits

Besides the numismatics gallery, there are a few more galleries that you can visit at the same venue. They are located on different floors of the bank.

Art Gallery - see the painting, sculptures and drawings.
Islamic Finance Gallery - development of Islamic commerce and finance over the years.
Bank Negara Malaysia Gallery - Malaysia Central Bank role and responsibilities are exhibited here.
Economics Gallery - Malaysia economics progress since independence.
Children's Gallery - Hands-on games for children.

Getting Here

The money museum is easily accessible to the public as it is located in the city centre. Take the KTM Komuter train to Bank Negara Station or the STAR LRT to Bandaraya Station. The bank is approximately 5-10 minutes walk away.

Address

Bank Negara Malaysia, Sasana Kijang, 2 Jalan Dato' Onn, 50480 KL.

Opening hours

10:00am - 6:00pm daily.

Closed on first 3 days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Admission Fee

Admisson to the museum is FREE.

Further information can be obtained by calling +60 3 9179 2784.