Alpha Bank presents, for the first time in Cyprus, part of its Numismatic Collection, through the temporary exhibition “Messages in Metal. A timeless dialogue with Cyprus”, which it co-organizes with the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. The exhibition is hosted at the Museum from 16 October to 10 January 2027.
The exhibition brings together 136 coins from Alpha Bank's Numismatic Collection, the Collection of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and the Collection of the Leventis Gallery. Through the collaboration of the three collections, the long monetary history of Cyprus and its place in the political, economic and cultural routes of the Eastern Mediterranean are highlighted.
A special place is held by the silver tetradrachm of Demetrius Poliorcetes issued in Salamis of Cyprus, as it is directly connected with the history of the island and symbolizes the way in which coins function as carriers of political and historical messages. Also presented are the gold stater of the king of Macedonia, Philip II, which describes the victory at the Olympic Games of 352 BC. The silver tetradrachm of Eucratides from Bactria, present-day Afghanistan, as well as the silver grosso of the last queen of the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro.
At the press conference organized in Nicosia, Cyprus for the presentation of the Exhibition, those participating were the Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, Dr Jenny Lymberopoulou , the CEO of Alpha Bank Cyprus, Miltos Michailas, the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos and the Curator of Alpha Bank's Numismatic Collection, Dr Dimitra Tsagkari.
The Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, Dr Jenny Lymberopoulou Savvidou, stated: “Our collaboration with Alpha Bank gives us the opportunity to present for the first time independently part of our Numismatic Collection, in dialogue with Alpha Bank's internationally renowned Collection. The exhibition connects two historical paths and offers the public a different perspective on the history and cultural identity of Cyprus”.
The CEO of Alpha Bank Cyprus, Miltos Michailas, noted: “The presentation for the first time in Cyprus of an important section of Alpha Bank's Numismatic Collection is a particular honor for us. Through our collaboration with the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, we offer the public access to material of significant historical and aesthetic value, while at the same time contributing to the preservation of memory and the promotion of our cultural heritage”.
The general coordination of the exhibition has been undertaken by Dr Jenny Lymberopoulou Savvidou, Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, and Dr Dimitra Tsagkari, Curator of Alpha Bank's Numismatic Collection. 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 the promotion of cultural heritage.
As part of the exhibition, a program of lectures and guided tours will be held, as well as educational programs for families with children and for Primary and Secondary Education students.
A Numismatic Collection with a history of more than 50 years
Alpha Bank's Numismatic Collection has been systematically enriched since 1972 and today includes more than 11,000 ancient coins, from Britain to India and from Ukraine to Ethiopia, as well as 2,500 coins and banknotes of the modern Greek State. A special place in the Collection is occupied by the issues of the mint of Aegina, the first mint that operated in the Greek world during the first half of the 6th century BC. One of its most characteristic early coins was the inspiration for the logo adopted by Alpha Bank in 1972, the year that also marks the beginning of the creation of the Bank's Numismatic Collection.