Bangladesh Bank established the museum, the first of its kind in the country, beside Bangladesh Bank Training Academy with a collection of over three thousand coins and paper notes.
While talking to UNB, Dr Achia Khanom Likhon, the Keeper of the Taka Museum, said former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman took the initiative in 2012 to establish the museum equipped with modern technology and facilities to preserve and exhibit the history and tradition of currency.
In 2009, the museum was established on the third floor of the main building of the central bank at Motijheel, but that was not open to all. Now, visitors can visit the Taka Museum free of cost, said Achia Khanom.
Photo: Wahida Zaman Shithi/UNB
At the museum, the coins and currencies are currently being exhibited at two galleries. The first gallery with 43 showcases contains near about 1100 objects, and the story of evolution of coins and currencies starts right from here.
This gallery shows its visitors how people used to trade things much before the tradition of coins and bank notes started.
The ancient silver punch marked coins of fourth to second century BC tell the earliest history of coins in Indian subcontinent to the visitors. The collection also includes Kushan coins from 30 to 375 AD, Indo Greek Silver coins from 2nd to 1st century AD, Cowry shells, Harikel Coin from 7th to 9th century AD.
Next to the huge collection of Harikel coins brought from the ancient archaeological site, Mainamati, coins from the time of Delhi Sultans, Bengal Sultans and Mughal Emperors are showcased in different sections with details.
Gold coins of Chandragupta are also one of the main attractions of the gallery, while another main attraction is the collection of rare bank notes of China, Russia and Germany, Achia Khanom, the keeper of the museum, told UNB.
From the symbols of the British India from 1947 to the Pakistani coins and bank notes till 1971 are also showcased at the gallery.
Coins, bank notes and commemorative notes of all values and designs are showcased there along with some details.
Besides different currencies, the gallery also exhibits different pouches and pots which used to be used to preserve coins in ancient times as well as different dices which were used to make coins.
The second gallery showcases coins and currencies of about 120 countries including India, China, Cambodia, Mauritius, Kazakhstan, Syria, Bahrain, Oman, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Australia and many other countries.
Digital technologies, including 3D television and LCD display, are there at the museum while visitors can print souvenir note having their faces on observe using the digital kiosk photo booth by spending Tk 50.
With the growing interest among the visitors, the second floor of Bangladesh Bank Training Academy has been allocated for the extension works of the Taka Museum, said Achia Khanom adding that two more galleries, a library, laboratory, multipurpose Cineplex, children corner are under construction as part of it.
The visiting hour of the museum is from 11am to 5pm from Saturday to Wednesday. The museum remains closed on Thursday except National holidays.