Other side of the city - Hidden Monetary Museum

Mumbai - this city can never stop surprising me. I have lived 24 years in this city, visited museum like Bhau Daji lad museum, Prince of Wales museum. But to my surprise, there is a monetary museum at P.M road, Fort. My mom had her old office here, so been in that area a lot of times and never noticed the Museum. Recently was searching some interesting places to visit in Mumbai I came across RBI Monetary Museum. And was super curious to see what it has to offer. One Sunday afternoon went there, and it was closed as it was a public holiday. It is generally open on Sundays. So next attempt was a Saturday, and I was just in time as it shuts at 5:15 PM. So I was asked to keep my bag and phone in the locker room next to museum. By passing through a strict checking I enter the museum.  

I had made guesses that it museum would have few old currency issued by RBI on display. But I was surprised to find that there was currency displayed from Old age barter system till day.  The Museum is divided in different sections like ideas, concept and curiosities, Coinage, Paper Money, Coin to paper money, and Know your currency.

Ideas, concept and curiosities section displays the measurement used for barter and how barter changed into coin as mode of payment.

Coinage section gives a glimpse of punch - marked coins from 6^th century till today. The collection of coins are displayed from the Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Shah Alam I and II, Marathas, Awadh ,Sikh, Shivaji and Peshwas , Wodeyar – Chamundi, North eastern States included Ahom rulers of Assam, Manikyas of Tripura.

Paper Money section displays the paper notes issued in eighteen or nineteen century by private banks of Princely states and three presidency banks – Bank of Bengal, Bank of Madras and Bank of Bombay. This section also displays paper notes issued by RBI after acquiring the sole right to issue bank notes in 1935. The best part of this section is the difference between the old note and current notes in terms of design, size and colour. Looking at big notes I couldn’t help but wonder why they discontinued.

Coins to Paper Money sections show the journey of coins to paper money. And by paper money it’s not just the notes but also pay orders and cheques issued by the private or presidency banks.

Know your Currency is the best section as its displays current Notes and coins and aims to explain their features. So if you want to understand your currency read this section carefully.

The Museum also displays few RBI documents from Pre-independence and post-independence era.

The saddest part is I was the only person in the museum. There are no visitors for this museum, may be because it is not talked about or promoted. But it is a must visit for the coin collectors and even kids as it is fascinating to know the monetary history of our rich nation.

Details on Museum:

Timing: 10:45AM–5:15PM (closed on Mondays and bank holidays)

Address: Amar Building (Ground Floor),adjoining the RBI Main Building, Sir Phirozshah Mehta Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Entry fee: Free 

*** This blog has no pictures as camera or phone is not allowed inside the museum.