What do birds have to do with monetary policy? More than you think! Those in favour of a more accommodative monetary policy are referred to as “doves”, while “hawks” are those who lean towards a tighter monetary policy stance. In the last part of our series from the Money Museum, presenter Silviana Ursu explores why you’ll find the pair in our Money Museum.

Do you know the security features of the euro banknotes? You’re probably familiar with some of them. But have you ever heard what happens when you place the banknotes under UV light? Our presenter Silviana Ursu reveals what that does in the fourth part of our video series from the Money Museum. 

How many cocoa beans would a loaf of bread cost? What about a pair of shoes? In the past, objects really were used as a means of payment in some parts of the world. For example, the Mayans, one of the oldest cultures in Central America, traded cocoa beans for food and clothing. In the third part of our series from the Money Museum, presenter Silviana Ursu takes a look at what constitutes money and the ways we pay today. 

Part of our money museum looks like a supermarket – though there aren’t actually any real groceries there, of course. In the second part of our video series, presenter Silviana Ursu shows what our money is worth and what price stability means.

The Ides of March aureus is one of the rarest and therefore most valuable Roman coins in the world.  One of these is housed in the British Museum and another in the Bundesbank's Money Museum. In the first part of our short video series showing highlights from the Money Museum, presenter Silviana Ursu explains the story behind this special coin.