An extremely interesting section in the Department of Coins and Medals is the Collection of Eastern Coins. Included here is coinage originating from countries of the Near East (including Iran, Iraq and Syria) as well as of the Far East and the Caucasus (India, China, Japan, Armenia and Georgia). Most complete among the 4,000-item collection is the exhibit of Chinese coins. The oldest items here are currencies bearing the shapes of utilitarian implements such as hoes and knives dating as far back as the 4th century BC, while the newest pieces are from the 20th century of the current era. Another highlight is a set of silver coins originating from the Islamic world of the Middle Ages – dirhams which made their way into Europe, including Poland, between the late 8th century and the beginning of the 11th century.
Discover the digital collections of the National Museum in Warsaw and explore thousands of works of art — from painting and sculpture to prints, photography and decorative arts. Browse objects, artists and collections, learning their history through detailed descriptions and high-quality reproductions. Visit the site and see the richness of the MNW collections from anywhere, at any time.
