The Casa de Moneda was once the national mint of Colombia. Now this building is home to a well-appointed currency museum whose name directly translates as "House of Money". Delve into the history of Colombia’s economy, browse through centuries of banknotes and coins and watch some obsolete money-making machines in action.
The holdings of the Casa de Moneda include around 19,000 artefacts, and the museum’s historical range covers the period from pre-Colombian times to the present. Its 10 exhibition rooms, each of which has explanatory material in English, are spread over two separate floors. On the first floor, you will find information about the history of minting in Colombia from the nation’s earliest days until the end of the colonial era. The second floor focuses on Colombia’s modern economic history, starting with the nation’s independence in the early 19th century.
Learn about the early days of minting and the first gold coins produced in America as long ago as 1622. A highlight of the museum’s first-floor display is a pair of rare hand-hammered coins, which date all the way back to the mid-17th century.
Head to the museum’s Machine Room to see what kinds of machines were used to punch, cut, print and roll in the production of coins and banknotes. Grab a free commemorative coin on your way out, but not before you see 19th- and 20th-century minting machines in action.
The Casa de Moneda is open every day of the week except Monday. There is no charge for entrance and guided tours are free although these require a reservation in advance. Check the museum’s official website for complete and up-to-date information about opening hours and tours.
The museum is located in the historic district of La Candelaria, just a short walk away from Plaza de Bolívar. The Casa de la Moneda is part of Bogotá’s Manzana Cultural (Cultural Square). Parking is available for a fee at the nearby Luis Ángel Arango Library, and the museum is easily accessible using buses or the subway.
