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.

At a glance — Bank of Canada Museum

Type	Public museum (money, economy, central banking)
Operated by	Bank of Canada
Location	Within the Bank of Canada complex in downtown Ottawa, Ontario
Focus areas	Canadian money & bank notes • coins & medals • inflation & prices • payments & financial system • central bank history
Languages	English & French
Official sites	bankofcanadamuseum.ca • bankofcanada.ca

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/