The SBP Museum

In order to preserve monetary history, it has become a norm for the central banks around the world to maintain adjunct Monetary and Archives Museums. Given the fact that Pakistan possesses a rich history of currency development from its very rudimentary form to the advanced level of coinage, preservation of such a heritage becomes all the more important.

In early 1960s, an Archives Museum was established in the main SBP building but it was wound up in September 2002 due to constraints of renovation, and reconstruction. Later it was decided to establish a new and larger Museum in the historic Bank of India building. In 2004, it was approved that the old library building or Annex of State Bank will be converted into the Money Museum and an Art Gallery. The Museum was inaugurated on 1 July 2011.

Today, SBP Museum comprises several galleries and sections. The Coin gallery divided into sub-sections shows evolution of coins from 600 BC to the present times. The Gallery also displays civil and military medals along with British India medals, and Commemorative Coins of Pakistan.

The Stamps gallery shows evolution of stamps from 3,000 BC to the present period, with a special focus on Pakistani stamps. The Currency Gallery focuses on Pakistani notes while also giving information about the very early paper notes and the present day Polymer notes.
The History of SBP Gallery depicts the History of SBP from its establishment in 1948 till date and the Governors’ Gallery comprises of the Historical background of functions and responsibilities of the previous Governors of SBP along with their brief profiles.

The Art Gallery is one of the most attractive parts of the Museum, displaying Sadequain’s four huge paintings and collages of metal and wood. A restored large triptych by Zahoor ul-Akhlaq, donated by philanthropist Ava Cowasjee is displayed in the Contemporary Art Gallery, where temporary exhibitions of young artists are also held on nonprofit basis.

Moreover, the museum is also archiving various documents. It is in the process of digitizing and preserving old records of State Bank of Pakistan and the SBPBSC offices, since its establishment in 1948.

The museum also houses a Conservation Lab, for conservation of coins, archival material, etc. The Replica/Modeling Section works on preparing replicas/models as souvenirs for the visitors.  The objective of  this  section  is  to  replicate  the  antiquities   for  education and to discourage smuggling  of  the originals.

A Souvenir Shop exists in the museum to promote cultural heritage, historical educational material, chronological sequences of artwork, coins etc. It has replicas of artifacts as well as special museum publications and interactive videos and demos.

The Research Section of the museum deals with publication and research. The researched and digitized data is published as yearly plan; the purpose of the publication is not only to safeguard the data but also to encourage young researchers. The publication section facilitates research on the museum and its collection by scholars from Pakistan as well as from abroad.

By virtue of its history and diverse activities, the SBP Museum has a wide range of audience that includes public, teachers, students, diplomats, communities, visitors, foundations and NGOs. A chronological framework is used for the visitors, so that they can start from one end with the familiar money of today and progress back in time; or start from the other end, and begin with the earliest evidence of money and move forward. The use of video and computer based information within galleries is done with the help of Kiosks installed in each gallery having all the details with magnification and 3D views. Documentaries are shown in the Mini Theatre. A virtual tour of the Museum is also shown at the entrance of the Museum to facilitate the visitors.

To enhance awareness, the museum regularly arranges special outreach programs and workshops all over the country. Its education program caters to the needs of the educational institutions from primary level to the universities. For the benefit of the students, painting competitions, design competition, summer camps for the employees’ children, special talks and lectures, conferences etc. are regularly arranged. The museum also publishes new research work and makes documentaries.

The SBP Museum, for its valuable contribution to the national heritage, is appreciated both at national and international levels. Due to the high standards achieved by the museum, it is now a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and Commonwealth Association of Museums (CAM). Moreover, it is the only museum in Pakistan, which is fully accessible and is of international standards as per code of ethics of ICOM.

 

       
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