About Absa Money Museum
Home to the largest collection of money used in South Africa's past in the world, Absa Money Museum lies in downtown Johannesburg on Troye Street, close to some of the best hotels in Johannesburg.
Did you know? The museum's history stretched back to the beginnings of trade in Johannesburg, and the dynamic displays include ranges of early money forms (such as Cowrie Shells and Venetian glass beads) through to gold coins retrieved from sunken ships.
The ABSA Money Museum is the only banking and money museum in the country, and holds a fascinating history of how economic, political and social change can dramatically affect a currency.
Absa Money Museum's historical records stretch all the way back to the beginnings of Johannesburg, and displays ranges from fairly early money forms, like cowrie shells and Venetian glass beads, through to gold coins recovered from sunken ships. The scientific study of money and its history, or Numismatics, is the essence of the museum's displays. Learn about bank-related crime, how to use an ATM, and what it means to save whilst viewing the museum's collection of over 600 money boxes.
Of course, the Absa Money Museum also covers the history of the banking giant in depth, and one can trace the history of Absa and the development of money in South Africa and its financial history.
Whilst we think of money as coins, banknotes, credit cards and cheques, in the past people traded with commodity money, like salt, seashells, metal and animals. In essence, this type of proto-money had the same basic attributes as money today - scarce and not easily counterfeited. Money has been in use for the last 4500 years, long before people learnt to write. And in fact the use of trading red ochre in Swaziland, for instance, may date back at least 100 000 years.
Need to Know
Where15 Troye Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
WhenMonday to Friday from 08h30 to 16h00
Telephone+27 (0)11 350-4167
OvernightStay in Marshalltown Accommodation, Gauteng
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inIn the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Marshalltown
High BnB Guest Lodge
High BnB Guest Lodge offers bed and breakfast accommodation, and is located in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. The guest house is the ideal base fro...
Reef Hotel
Situated in Marshalltown within the financial district and views of an ever-bustling city, The Reef Hotel Johannesburg offers well-appointed, mod...
Craftmanship Unit 354
Craftmanship Unit 354 is a spacious, modern, holiday apartment in the city near Marshalltown in Johannesburg. The apartment provides self caterin...
Things to do in the area
1 Fox Precinct
In similar style to the Maboneng Precinct over on Fox and Kruger Streets in Johannesburg's inner-city, 1 Fox Precinct lies in a couple of old war...
Maboneng Arts On Main
The Maboneng Precinct is one of Johannesburg's districts that are seeing major development and change. It is also home to the Arts on Main market...
The Bioscope
Independent cinema is given a new face in the form of The Bioscope. It is aptly positioned in the heart of the City of Gold, Johannesburg, where ...
Victoria Yards Market
The Victoria Yards Market is held on the first Sunday of every month and makes for a really great day of quirky innovation for anyone that is enj...
Accommodation convenient to Absa Money Museum
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Gauteng Accommodation / Johannesburg Accommodation / Marshalltown Accommodation