The Blossoming Language of Money. Floral Motifs on Coins and Banknotes

As far back as Ancient Greece, flowers and plants were depicted on coins. Laurel wreaths adorned victorious rulers on coins from the Roman Empire, while deities such as Victoria, Juno and Minerva were depicted with flowers or plants as attributes. The tradition of depicting floral motifs on coins can be traced from the Middle Ages to the modern day. Flowers and plants are popular motifs on banknotes, too.

The exhibition The Blossoming Language of Money offers an overview of coins and banknotes featuring images of flowers and plants from ancient Greece right up to the euro, deciphering the messages contained in these depictions. At the heart of the exhibition lie selected coins and medals, with lilies, roses, alpine flowers and laurel wreaths representing important elements in the depictions. In addition, the show features coins with floral motifs from Europe, as well as America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. In this way, the exhibition offers a fascinating overview of the diverse world of coins and banknotes.