Opening of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection exhibition, co-organised with the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
On Thursday, 15 October 2026, the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia hosted the opening of “Messages on Metal. A timeless dialogue with Cyprus”, a temporary exhibition which brings a significant section of Alpha Bank’s internationally renowned Numismatic Collection to Cyprus for the first time.
The exhibition was officially opened by Dr Christodoulos Patsalides, Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus. Welcome addresses were delivered by Mr Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, Mrs Photini Papadopoulou, Trustee of the A.G. Leventis Foundation, Mr Dimitris Tsitsirangos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alpha Bank, and Mr Miltos Michaelas, CEO of Alpha Bank Cyprus. The event was moderated by Dr Tzeni Lymperopoulou Savvidou, Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, while Dr Dimitra Tsangari, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and of the exhibition, presented her scholarly and museological approach.
The exhibition is an initiative of Alpha Bank that brings together artefacts from its Numismatic Collection and the collections of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. A total of 136 coins are on display: 110 from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, 23 from the collection of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and 3 from the collection of the Leventis Art Gallery. This encounter highlights Cyprus’ rich coinage tradition and the island’s place within the political, economic and cultural trajectories of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The exhibition narrative is structured around three thematic sections - “Transactions”, “Narrative” and “Symbolism” - which explore coins not merely as a medium of exchange, but also as valuable historical artefacts. Their imagery, symbols and inscriptions offer insights into the economy, authority, identity and values of the societies that produced them.
The exhibition is accompanied by a bilingual academic publication, edited by Dr Dimitra Tsangari. A programme of lectures, guided tours and educational activities for families and children, as well as primary and secondary school students, will run throughout the exhibition.
In opening the exhibition, Dr Christodoulos Patsalides, Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, stated: “The rare coins on display are much more than valuable objects. They are living testimony to the history and cultures that created them. This encounter between the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and the treasures of the Leventis Museum brings to life a timeless dialogue of culture and memory. For Cyprus, its coinage history is an integral part of its identity. The exhibits tell the story of a place distinguished by its resilience and cosmopolitan character.”
Mr Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, highlighted the important role of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia in preserving and showcasing the history of the capital. He also welcomed Alpha Bank’s initiative and the collaboration that made the exhibition possible: “I would like to warmly congratulate Alpha Bank on this initiative and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia for the excellent collaboration that resulted in this exhibition. Partnerships between different organisations are particularly important, as they enable collections to reach beyond their usual boundaries, come together and be presented to the public from fresh perspectives.”
Mrs Photini Papadopoulou, Trustee of the A. G. Leventis Foundation, noted: “For the A. G. Leventis Foundation, supporting culture is a long-standing commitment, and the work of the Leventis Municipal Museum reflects this philosophy.”
Mr Dimitris Tsitsirangos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alpha Bank, referred to the Bank’s responsibility towards the economy and society, emphasising: “Behind every banking transaction are people’s needs and plans. Banks have a responsibility to support them consistently. Because societies need institutions that stand the test of time. Our responsibility, however, also extends to everything that ensures the cohesion of a society: knowledge, education, health and culture. Our Numismatic Collection embodies this responsibility: to safeguard a precious heritage and make it accessible to everyone, particularly children and young people.”
Mr Miltos Michaelas, CEO of Alpha Bank Cyprus, pointed out: “For more than 50 years, the Numismatic Collection has been an integral part of Alpha Bank’s history. Its importance lies not only in the historical value and rarity of its artefacts, but also in the knowledge it shares. Through the Collection, we support research and education, contribute to a deeper understanding of the past, and bring people of all ages closer to history and culture. We believe that a bank’s relationship with society is built over time, through trust, consistency and a meaningful presence.”
In her welcome address, Dr Tzeni Lymperopoulou Savvidou, Director of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, referred to the collaboration behind the exhibition and the importance of bringing institutions together through culture. Dr Dimitra Tsangari, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and of the exhibition, presented the curatorial approach and the Collection’s historical scope. She also explained how the exhibition highlights the coinage history of Cyprus, incorporating digital applications and interactive tools to enrich the visitor experience.
About the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection
The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection has been systematically developed since 1972 and currently comprises more than 11,000 ancient coins, from Britain to India and from Ukraine to Ethiopia, as well as 2,500 coins and banknotes from the modern Greek State. One of the early coins from Aegina inspired the logo adopted by Alpha Bank in 1972, a year which also marks the start of the creation of its Numismatic Collection.
The exhibition opens to the public
The exhibition “Messages on Metal: A timeless dialogue with Cyprus” opens to the public on Friday, 16 October 2026, and will run until 10 January 2027.
- Venue: The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
- Duration: 16 October 2026 – 10 January 2027
- Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 16:00 (Closed on Mondays and public holidays)
- Information: leventismuseum.org.cy / alphabank.com.cy
