View source for Bank of Canada Museum

'''The Bank of Canada Museum''' (formerly the Currency Museum) is a public museum operated by the [[Bank of Canada]] in downtown Ottawa. It interprets money, inflation, central banking, and Canada’s monetary history through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and one of the country’s largest numismatic collections. Content is presented in English and French.

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<div style="font-weight:700; color:#b91c1c; margin-bottom:6px;">At a glance — Bank of Canada Museum</div>
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Type
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Public museum (money, economy, central banking)
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Operated by
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Bank of Canada]]
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Location
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Within the Bank of Canada complex in downtown Ottawa, Ontario
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Focus areas
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Canadian money & bank notes • coins & medals • inflation & prices • payments & financial system • central bank history
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Languages
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | English & French
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! style="text-align:left; width:44%; padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top;" | Official sites
| style="padding:4px 6px; vertical-align:top; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | bankofcanadamuseum.ca • bankofcanada.ca
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== Overview ==
The Museum explains how money works and how the central bank supports a stable economy. Galleries combine artifacts and multimedia with interactive stations where visitors can explore topics such as inflation, the creation of bank notes, payments, and financial decision-making. School programs align with Canadian curricula, and public talks/temporary displays highlight current themes in economics and design.

== Collections ==
The numismatic collection spans Canadian and international items:
* Canadian bank notes from colonial, chartered-bank, and modern eras; specimen and test notes  
* Circulating coins, patterns, medals, tokens, and related dies and tools  
* Money and exchange media from around the world (historic to contemporary)  
* Artwork, printing plates, and security-feature prototypes connected to note design

== Exhibits and programs ==
* '''Core galleries:''' Money’s history, the role of the [[Bank of Canada]], inflation and price stability, and how payments and the financial system function.  
* '''Hands-on learning:''' Interactive displays (e.g., “feel” inflation, test your spending/saving choices, examine security features).  
* '''Workshops & school visits:''' Guided and self-guided activities for elementary to adult learners; educator resources provided.  
* '''Temporary/feature exhibits:''' Rotating displays on design, technology, history, or timely economic topics.  

== Education and digital resources ==
The Museum offers classroom lesson plans, videos, activities, and printable guides on money basics, anti-counterfeiting, the cost of living, and the Bank’s role. Many resources are available online for teachers, students, and self-learners.

== Visitor information ==
* '''Accessibility:''' Barrier-free access with bilingual wayfinding; staff assistance available.  
* '''Admission & hours:''' Check the official website for current details on hours, admission, security screening, group bookings, and special events.  
* '''Getting there:''' Central Ottawa location close to transit, cycling routes, and Parliament Hill; limited on-site parking—use nearby public options.

== History (brief) ==
* '''1980:''' Opens as the Currency Museum within the Bank of Canada complex.  
* '''2013–2017:''' Building renovation; redevelopment of exhibits and brand.  
* '''2017:''' Reopens as the **Bank of Canada Museum**, with expanded interactive content and education programming.

== See also ==
* [[Bank of Canada]] • [[Canadian dollar]] • [[Royal Canadian Mint]]  
* [[Coins of the Canadian dollar]] • [[Inflation in Canada]] • [[Statistics Canada]]

== External links (official) ==
* Bank of Canada Museum — Home & resources: https://www.bankofcanadamuseum.ca/  
* Bank of Canada — Currency & bank notes: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/

[[Category:Bank of Canada]]
[[Category:Museums in Ottawa]]
[[Category:Numismatics]]
[[Category:Economy of Canada]]