Maybank Numismatic Museum

Maybank HQ Building where the Numismatic Museum is located.

The Maybank Numismatic Museum is a small museum tucked away in the corner of the banking hall on the 1st Floor of Maybank's striking but, in my view, rather unattractive headquarters building.

Maybank Numismatic Museum

As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to bank notes and coins and traces their development through the ages in Malaysia.

Hanging from the ceiling is a giant coin tree from Kelantan (Pohon Pitis Kelantan) and there are some true-size versions in the display cases. These coin trees were made by casting tin coins in a mould which were joined together by 'branches' of the same metal. People would break off a coin for use when needed. I am glad my daughter did not see these as she would no longer believe me when I complain that 'money doesn't grow on trees'!

There are examples of antique money used by the Malacca Sultanate and later the Portuguese colonists.

Specimens of currency used in the various Malay states, Sarawak and North Borneo are displayed together with collections of Malaya banknotes dating from the reigns of different British monarchs.

During the Japanese occupation inflation took hold and vast quantities of cheap looking banknotes without serial numbers were produced. These became worthless after the War.

The changing banknote designs since independence are displayed as well as a selection of banknotes from neighbouring Asean countries.

There are even some private bank notes which appear to have been issued by local businessmen and companies (very useful if you can get away with it I would imagine!).

Some of the display cases were empty while others were affected by humidity which made the captions difficult to read.

Coin Tree - Pohon Pitis Kelantan

Verdict

A modest museum worth visiting if you are a coin or banknote collector or are interested in the history of Malaysian and South East Asian money. See also Bank Negara's museum.

If you would like to know more about coin and banknote collecting in Malaysia you could refer to the website of the Malaysia Numismatic Society.

Opening Hours

Open Daily 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Closed on public holidays.

Admission Charges

FREE!

Location of Maybank Numismatic Museum

1st Floor, Menara Maybank

100, Jalan Tun Perak

50050 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Tel: 603-2070 8833

If you are going by public transport, Masjid Jamek and Plaza Rakyat are the closest Rapid KL LRT stations.

Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Share this page:

Like this website? Head over to my Facebook page and leave a like or comment:

You can also contact me via the link at the bottom of this page.