AIMS Museo Maritimo Joins COINversations 2025

museomaritimo
3 days ago
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November 25, 2025 – Pasay City, NCR, Philippines

Article by AIMS Museo Maritimo Team

The AIMS Museo Maritimo took part in COINversations: The Museo Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Museo BSP) Numismatic Lecture Series 2025, held on Friday, 21 November 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at The BSP Hub Auditorium, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Head Office, Malate. This annual event gathers museum professionals, researchers, collectors, and cultural advocates to deepen public understanding of the nation’s currency—its stories, symbolism, and the science behind its creation.

This year’s program featured a rich set of discussions emphasizing the intersection of botany, culture, history, and numismatics. The Museo Maritimo team joined participants from various institutions as the BSP highlighted how Philippine currency is more than a medium of exchange—it is a vessel of knowledge and identity.

Plants in Our Money: History, Science, and Cultural Identity

One of the central topics of the lecture series was the history and scientific background of the Philippine flora featured in our banknotes and coins. Experts presented detailed research on several endemic and culturally significant plant species that appear in current Philippine currency, showcasing their:

Botanical characteristics and ecological importance
Historical roles in trade, livelihood, and traditional practices
Representation of national identity and regional heritage

Through this lens, the audience was invited to see currency as a bridge between natural history and cultural memory—an everyday object that quietly tells the story of the land and its people.

BSP Library Services: Knowledge at the Core

The BSP Library likewise presented an overview of its library services and research resources. With extensive collections on economics, finance, history, culture, and numismatics, the library serves as an essential hub for scholars, students, and museum professionals. Attendees learned about:

Access to specialized references and archival materials
Online databases and digital catalogues
Services supporting museum research and public education

The session emphasized the library’s role in supporting deeper scholarly engagement with the country’s monetary history.

Behind the Scenes: Designing and Creating Philippine Coins

Participants were also given insight into the intricate process of designing and producing Philippine coins, as shared by the Museo BSP. From initial concept sketches to materials research, security features, and final minting, the creative and technical workflow revealed:

The artistic philosophy behind symbolic imagery
How plants, heroes, and historical elements are selected
The scientific and technological standards upheld by the BSP
The collaboration between artists, engravers, scientists, and historians

This process highlights the careful balance of security, functionality, and cultural representation embedded in every coin.

AIMS Museo Maritimo: Strengthening Cultural Connections

The event offered valuable insights that will inform the museum’s ongoing educational programs and collaborative initiatives, particularly in areas where natural history, cultural symbolism, and national identity intersect.

We extend our gratitude to the BSP Museum for hosting this enriching lecture series and for fostering a community passionate about preserving and understanding the tangible and intangible heritage reflected in our currency.