Currency as a Bearer of History

The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection in "dialogue" with coins from the Leventis Museum Collection

For the first time, a significant part of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, one of the largest and most important private numismatic collections worldwide, with more than 11.000 coins, is being presented in Cyprus. The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and Alpha Bank presented the exhibition "Messages in Metal. A Timeless Dialogue with Cyprus" at a press conference. It will open on Thursday 15 October.

The Alpha Bank exhibits are presented in a special "dialogue" with coins from the Collection of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, highlighting Cyprus's long monetary history and its place in the political, economic and cultural paths of the Eastern Mediterranean. Through selected coins from different periods and geographical regions, the exhibition highlights currency not only as a means of exchange, but also as a bearer of history, narrative and cultural memory. The images, symbols and inscriptions imprinted on metal tell stories of power, identity, faith and social values, turning each coin into a valuable historical document of the society that created it.

Dr Dimitra Tsagkari, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and of the exhibition, presented the museological approach and content of the exhibition, which includes a total of 136 coins: 110 from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, 23 from the Collection of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and 3 from the Leventis Gallery Collection. The exhibition is organised into three thematic sections, "Transactions", "Narrative" and "Symbolism", presenting the evolution and use of currency, the stories and figures depicted on it, and the messages of identity and power it conveyed through the centuries.

Two historical paths connect

Dr Jenny Lymperopoulou Savvidou, Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, stated that the collaboration with Alpha Bank "gives us the opportunity to present, for the first time as a standalone display, part of our Numismatic Collection and highlight it through a particularly interesting dialogue with the internationally renowned Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection. Through this encounter, two historical paths connect, offering the public the opportunity to discover the history and cultural identity of Cyprus from a different perspective." The Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, commented that "Nicosia, with its long history as the administrative and cultural centre of Cyprus, bears the traces of the civilisations that shaped it and keeps its relationship with the past alive." The exhibition "Messages in Metal" offers the public an excellent opportunity to approach currency as a bearer of history and culture. As Mr Prountzos said, "the meeting of the two collections creates a meaningful dialogue between the local and broader historical context, while highlighting Cyprus's pivotal position in the cultural and economic exchanges of the Eastern Mediterranean." The CEO of Alpha Bank Cyprus, Miltos Michailas, noted that "at Alpha Bank Cyprus, we want to create value for society and contribute meaningfully to preserving and showcasing its cultural heritage. The exhibition 'Messages in Metal' expresses precisely this philosophy, connecting history with the present and knowledge with future generations." Scholarly curation and the accompanying publication

The exhibition's general coordination is undertaken by Dr Jenny Lymperopoulou Savvidou, Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, and Dr Dimitra Tsagkari, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection. The museological study and curation of the exhibition are by Dr Dimitra Tsagkari. The exhibition is accompanied by the bilingual publication "Messages in Metal. A Timeless Dialogue with Cyprus", which serves as its scholarly and interpretive complement. Through texts and rich photographic material, the publication presents the history of the exhibits, the development of Cypriot coinage and the role of the two collections in showcasing cultural heritage. The scholarly editor of the publication, which will be available at the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia Shop, is Dr Dimitra Tsagkari.

Parallel events

As part of the exhibition, a programme of lectures and guided tours will be held, along with educational programmes for families with children and for Primary and Secondary Education students.

Nicosia. Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. Duration: 16 October 2026 - 10 January 2027. Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00 (Closed Mondays and public holidays). Information: leventismuseum.org.cy / alphabank.com.cy. The opening will take place on Thursday 15 October 2026.