Exhibition
Closed to the public from 10–20 November due to exhibition preparations.
The invention of coins, and thus money in the modern sense, had major consequences for human activities such as trade, agriculture, the creation of cities and the organisation of society. Money ensured that people who did not trust each other could cooperate effectively. Money is the only trust-based system that can cross almost any cultural divide, and it does not discriminate on the grounds of religion, gender, race, age or sexual orientation.
All that glitters is gold
For 5,000 years, gold has meant status, wealth and a measure of value. Gold has been prominent throughout the history of money, from the first coins in Asia Minor from about 625 BC until the twentieth century when gold reserves formed the foundation of our monetary systems.
Gold coins and medals have always been associated with prestige and great value. They have had the greatest value throughout history, whether King Croesus’ largest coins, Roman emperors’ gold medallions, the most valuable coins minted in the Middle Ages and in more modern times, or the most prestigious awards for individuals.
From polar explorer to Peace Prize winner – Nansen's legacy
Fridtjof Nansen – Norwegian polar explorer, scientist and diplomat. His massive humanitarian efforts saved a multitude of people in the aftermath of the First World War, among them 400,000 prisoners of war. 2022 marked the centennial of Fridtjof Nansen receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The gold medal and all his other medals are on display in the History Museum's coin cabinet.
Gay Coins – From Sappho to PRIDE
Queer love is celebrated on coins for the first time! From poets of antiquity and emperors of Rome to European nobility and Scandinavian leaders: queer love has always existed, across societies, cultures and time. As the slogan goes: "We're here, we're queer, we won't disappear!
Cleopatra – the world’s first celebrity?
Cleopatra is one of the most legendary people in history. The myths surrounding Cleopatra are inextricably linked to her beautiful appearance. But are the myths historically accurate?
The coin that established Norway’s monetary system
We present a unique coin at the Historical Museum: a penny from the period of transition from the Viking Age to the Middle Ages, c. 1050 AD.
Ukraine Coin Discovery in Western Norway
This coin gives evidence of extensive trade and communication networks at the beginning of the last millennium 1000 years ago.
Good as gold
The exhibition shows selected gold coins from the past 2,600 years, but also explains how a cow could be used as money before the introduction of coins. Fridtjof Nansen’s and Roald Amundsen’s extensive collections of decorations and gold medals are also displayed. In the gold portal we can also see 15,000 gold coins from the gold reserves of the Bank of Norway. This gold played the leading role in one of the greatest dramas of the German occupation of Norway. Many of these items have never been exhibited before.
The exhibition was opened to mark the 200-year anniversary of the Coin Cabinet in 2017.
Explore the museum's collections
View selected objects from the collection at the Museum of Cultural History, of which the Historical Museum is a part:
Exhibition credits
- Exhibition design and graphic design: A-ARK arkitektur&design
Museum project team:
- Project owner: Biljana Topolova-Casadiego
- Curator: Svein Gullbekk, Håkon Roland
- Project leader: Martin Hager-Saltnes
- Graphic design: Johnny Kreutz
- Education and public outreach: Martin Hager-Saltnes
- Conservation: Margunn Veseth, Anne Håbu
- Collections manager: Anette Sættem
- Photo: Ellen C. Holte
- Communications team: Øivind Gulliksen, Tea Kristiansen, Karoline Dowson
- Exhibition technicians: Inge Bjørgen, Henrik Lorentzen
