In about four months, on Fri 25 May, the new "Geldmuseum" (Money Museum) opens in Utrecht, NL. The museum combines three formerly separate collections: the Mint Museum, the DNB (central bank) collection from Amsterdam, and the Penningkabinet from Leiden.

The Money Museum is located in the Royal Mint building, and museum visitors will have the opportunity to see coins being made. Not only that - you can also walk on coins there.


http://www.geldmuseum.nl/upload/52210_639_...9-geldvloer.jpg

The Coin Walk is covered with thousands of coins, carefully positioned on the ground. Carefully? Well, the Netherlands is a monarchy, and stepping on Her Majesty's face would ... So they make sure that all coins - kwartjes, stuivers, rijksdaalders, etc. - are "face down". The first layer of coins is done, now a second layer will be added.

This http://www.geldmuseum.nl/ is the Money Museum's website. Apart from information about the museum itself, you will also find (part of) the collection database online, with more to follow later.

Christian

Man, that's some expensive paving

What's the idea behind the walking on coins thing?

Well, the museum is about money, and this way you are "in touch" with money. Another reason is that this is the way across the inner courtyard http://www.geldmuseum.nl/web/show/id=49954 ... and underneath is a money storage room. But I suppose that the "Money Walk" will be sealed somehow. Maybe Erik knows more about this, or maybe I can tell you more in June or so.

Christian