Banco de México decided to create an archive to document the history of monetary circulation in Mexico. Thus, the numismatic area of the Central Bank came into being. The area is responsible for the numismatic collection, which, building on the legacy of a small but important stock of viceroyalty era coins donated in 1936 by the coin collector and historian Don Manuel Romero de Terreros, has gradually grown over the last sixty years.
Banco de México's Numismatic Collection is currently considered one of the most important in the world, not only for its content of over 58,000 pieces, including coins, banknotes and medals, but also because of the quality and rarity of many items.
The collection is a living testament of Mexico's numismatic history, representing all of its different eras, from ancient means of exchange used in the prehispanic world to the latest pieces in circulation today. It includes a beautiful collection of medals, an increasingly more complete collection of Mexican banknotes, and a significant number of foreign banknotes resulting from the exchanges made with other Central Banks from around the world that have been going on for many years.
Banco de México's goals regarding numismatics are: ConservationCarrying out preventative care, ensuring pieces are correctly stored, packed, exhibited and handled in order to prevent their deterioration.
ResearchStudying the history and particular numismatic characteristics of each coin, banknote or medal.
DocumentationPreserving the history of each piece, describing its origins and characteristics.
GrowthEnriching the stock by acquiring pieces in accordance with the focus of the collection.
DisseminationPromoting interest in numismatic studies, knowledge of Mexico's numismatic heritage and enthusiasm for collecting among a wider audience in order to safeguard Mexico's numismatic treasures for future generations. Dissemination is made through publications, travelling exhibitions, conferences, round tables, attending congresses, conventions and conferences with researchers.