Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum), Bogota
The Mint Museum (Museo Casa de Moneda), located in the historic La Candelaria neighborhood of Bogota, is a premier numismatics museum managed by the Bank of the Republic of Colombia. Housed in a colonial building dating back to 1753, this museum traces the fascinating history of currency in Colombia and beyond, featuring a collection of approximately 18,600 objects, including coins, banknotes, medals, and printing instruments. Its exhibits also explore the artistic and cultural significance of currency across different eras.
The site of the museum holds a significant place in Colombia’s history. Established in 1621 under the orders of Philip III of Spain, the building was home to the first mint in the Americas, where gold and silver coins were produced. The museum stands as a testament to this legacy, having served as the main mint for the New Kingdom of Granada, New Granada, and modern Colombia until coin production moved to Ibague in 1987. Declared a National Treasure in 1975, the building itself is steeped in historical importance.
The museum’s 2023 renovation introduced 11 thematic exhibitions that trace the history of Colombian currency, from pre-Columbian barter systems to modern coins and banknotes. Highlights include Casa de Moneda Santafe, exploring the origins of New World mints; History of Currency, showcasing items like cacao seeds and shell money; Currency in the New Kingdom of Granada, featuring coins from the Habsburg and Bourbon eras; Independence and Beyond, covering currency evolution through Colombia’s independence and modern times; and How Coins and Banknotes Are Made, with interactive displays on production techniques. The museum also integrates numismatics in art and features artifacts from the Gold Museum.
Admission to the Mint Museum is free, and visitors receive special commemorative tokens. With interactive displays, historical artifacts, and connections to the Banrepcultural Network, including the Botero and Gold Museums, it offers a fascinating exploration of Colombia’s numismatic and cultural heritage.
The site of the museum holds a significant place in Colombia’s history. Established in 1621 under the orders of Philip III of Spain, the building was home to the first mint in the Americas, where gold and silver coins were produced. The museum stands as a testament to this legacy, having served as the main mint for the New Kingdom of Granada, New Granada, and modern Colombia until coin production moved to Ibague in 1987. Declared a National Treasure in 1975, the building itself is steeped in historical importance.
The museum’s 2023 renovation introduced 11 thematic exhibitions that trace the history of Colombian currency, from pre-Columbian barter systems to modern coins and banknotes. Highlights include Casa de Moneda Santafe, exploring the origins of New World mints; History of Currency, showcasing items like cacao seeds and shell money; Currency in the New Kingdom of Granada, featuring coins from the Habsburg and Bourbon eras; Independence and Beyond, covering currency evolution through Colombia’s independence and modern times; and How Coins and Banknotes Are Made, with interactive displays on production techniques. The museum also integrates numismatics in art and features artifacts from the Gold Museum.
Admission to the Mint Museum is free, and visitors receive special commemorative tokens. With interactive displays, historical artifacts, and connections to the Banrepcultural Network, including the Botero and Gold Museums, it offers a fascinating exploration of Colombia’s numismatic and cultural heritage.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bogota. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia
Create Your Own Walk in Bogota
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bogota Old Town Walking Tour
In 1538, the indigenous Muisca of the Colombian Altiplano had the advantage in numbers over the force of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Arriving in the Muisca Federation, the Spanish had only 162 exhausted men. However, the guecha warriors of Chief Tisquesusa were no match. The Federation fell in bloody battle.
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Bogota Shopping Tour
Colombia is known for its gold and emeralds, recognizable national clothing, pottery, accessories, and other crafts. The country's capital Bogota is so rich in authentic shopping that it's almost mind-boggling to decide what to buy first and most importantly, where to buy it at the best possible price!
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Architectural Jewels
Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Enjoying Onces in Bogota
Elevenses, on the surface, seem to be a particularly British tradition, a break for something light and sweet between breakfast and lunch, a time to gossip, a time to catch up, a time just to be. Lo and behold, Colombia somewhere along the line adapted this tradition in a particularly Latin fashion....
18 Uniquely Columbian Things to Buy in Bogota
To those who understand Russian, the word "Bogota" sounds very similar to the one translating as "rich". And, indeed, the city does live up to this name connotation in terms of peculiar things worth exploring in addition to coca, coffee and emeralds. Here's the longer list...