Numismatic Museum of Athens
El. Venizelou Ave., Athens 106 71
Tel.: 210 3643774, Fax: 210 3216926,
e-mail: protocol@um.culture.gr
Open daily: 08:00-14:30
Mondays closed - Entrance fee: 3,00 €
The Numismatic Museum of Athens, home to one of the world's finest numismatic collections comprising 600,000 coins, is among the five most important museums of its kind world-wide. Part of the museum's rich collection has been housed since 1999 in one of the most beautiful buildings in Athens. Iliou Melathron (The Palace of Ilion), built in the style of Italian Renaissance adapted to the neoclassical spirit of the late 19th century, is the work of German architect Ernst Ziller built for Heinrich Schliemann, the brilliant pioneer in field archaeology who discovered Troy. Mounted on modern and aesthetic showcases spread in six high-ceiling halls, the collection spans a history of coinage from its origins in 7th century BC to the Roman era.