Bank of England Museum Unveils £1.2m Gold Bar and Hidden History
The Bank of England museum is a hidden gem in the City, showcasing its rich history from 1694 to present day. The museum offers visitors the unique opportunity to handle a £1.2 million gold bar without any security presence. This is just one of many treasures and interactive exhibits that can be found within the museum's walls.
The museum's architecture is a blend of original 18th-century design and modern elements, including a stunning foyer with mosaics by Russian artist Boris Anrep. These mosaics are based on historic British coinage, including one from Oliver Cromwell's time declaring 'Peace through War'. The banking hall has been redesigned to resemble its original layout, complete with architectural plans, early cheques, and Royal declarations.
The museum also houses the original bank charter, a tally stick used as a record of debt, and a massive chest dating back to the Bank's earliest days. Other exhibits include correspondence with George Washington, satirical notes on note forging that led to hundreds of executions, and records of the Bank's possession of plantations with almost 600 enslaved Africans in the 1780s.