Museums #13 in Daejeon

Currency Museum

4.4 · 774 reviews
Educational and scholarly
Currency Museum, 80-67 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong District, Daejeon, South Korea
Interesting facts
1

The museum displays a rare collection of 'Busan Note' issues used during the Korean War when the central bank headquarters were temporarily relocated.

2

It houses a specialized exhibit detailing the development of the 'hologram' and 'color-shifting ink' technologies currently used on high-denomination banknotes.

3

The collection includes primitive 'cloth money' and 'knife money' used in ancient East Asian trade before the standardization of round coins.

4

The museum building was designed to reflect modern architectural aesthetics within the high-tech environment of the Daedeok Science Town.

5

Visitors can view historical 'money-making' tools, including traditional charcoal-fired furnaces and metal molds used for casting ancient bronze coins.

Overview

The Currency Museum in Daejeon, operated by the Bank of Korea, is the only museum in South Korea dedicated exclusively to the history and production of currency. Located within the Daedeok Science Town, the facility showcases an extensive collection of Korean and international coins, banknotes, and ancient transaction tools. Visitors can explore the technical evolution of minting, including authentic printing plates and anti-counterfeiting security features. The museum highlights the historical progression of Korean money, starting from the Goryeo dynasty's Samhan Tongbo to modern-day Won. Interactive displays provide insight into the lifecycle of currency and the economic role of a central bank. It serves as a specialized educational hub for numismatics and monetary policy.

Photo spot

The central atrium featuring large-scale replicas of ancient Korean coins.

Insider tips

Use the available audio guides to understand the complex anti-counterfeiting features on modern banknotes.

Allocate extra time for the interactive digital exhibits if traveling with children, as these explain basic economic concepts.

Check the museum's official website for temporary exhibitions, which change periodically.

What to avoid

Assuming the museum is a commercial bank branch; this is a non-commercial, public educational facility.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year holidays, and Chuseok holidays.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from eating or drinking inside the exhibition halls.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, as the museum is often visited by school groups on weekday afternoons.
Address
Currency Museum, 80-67 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong District, Daejeon, South Korea
36.378, 127.371
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsAncient metal currency, Bank of Korea historical archive, and modern banknote security features.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, as the museum is often visited by school groups on weekday afternoons..

The central atrium featuring large-scale replicas of ancient Korean coins.

Close by you'll find National Science Museum, Daejeon Expo Civic Plaza, Daejeon Arts Center.