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Hall Mint Museum - Guided tour
Go back to a time when coins meant wealth, money still had a magical shine, a currency was literally as hard as the material it was produced from and coin forgers could expect a cruel fate.
Visitors to the Hall Mint Museum are guided through half a millenium of European coin history with modern audio technology and the virtual coin warden Franz. In the process, they can discover the secrets of the mighty mint masters and the incredible machines they owned. Equipped with a special magnifying glass, visitors are encouraged to become researchers and to spot the hidden details on the coins.
After a tour of Hall Mint, make the climb to the top of the famous Mint Tower. This second section of the museum houses a number of interesting exhibits.
Highlights of the Hall Mint Museum
Take a close look at the world's only surviving, fully-functional coin embossing machine, the world's first dollar, the adventure tower with lights, sounds and the glitter of crystal stories, the unforgettable view from the tower lantern, the stirring story of the resettlement of the kestrels, an introduction to medieval life in the archaeology museum, the mysterious triple-run spiral staircase and the world's largest silver medal, which at over 20 kilos of silver puts everything else in the shade.
Hall Mint Museum – the cradle of the Taler and today's dollar – gives visitors an insight into an era when coins meant wealth, gold still had a magical shine and a currency was as hard as the material it was made out of.
The world's first coin minting machine
The main attraction at Hall Mint is the faithful replica of the world's first coin minting machine. In the Middle Ages, this giant piece of machinery was a technical sensation. The only one of its kind anywhere in the world, it stands in exactly the same position as its 16th-century predecessor did, when it minted approx. 4,000 coins every day.
The spectacular highlight of this visit is a climb to the top of the Mint Tower via the 186 steps. Its summit offers visitors an unforgettable view over the medieval town centre and the mighty Karwendel mountain range.
The visit's finale involves getting hands-on and embossing a coin of your own as a small souvenir of your visit to the cradle of the dollar.
Franz the "mint warden" uses modern audio guides to take you on a 500-year journey back through the history of European coinage.
Younger visitors get their own tour with quiz.
Opening times:
Summer: April - October
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Monday is closed
Last entrance 4.00 pm
Winter: November - March *
Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Sonday and Monday is closed
Last entrance 4.00 pm
ATTENTION!! * from January the 3rd until the 2nd week of march the museum is just opened for groups on request
The spectacular highlight of this visit is a climb to the top of the Mint Tower via the 186 steps. Its summit offers visitors an unforgettable view over the medieval town centre and the mighty Karwendel mountain range.
The visit's finale involves getting hands-on and embossing a coin of your own as a small souvenir of your visit to the cradle of the dollar.
Franz the "mint warden" uses modern audio guides to take you on a 500-year journey back through the history of European coinage.
Younger visitors get their own tour with quiz.
Opening times:
Summer: April - October
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Monday is closed
Last entrance 4.00 pm
Winter: November - March *
Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Sonday and Monday is closed
Last entrance 4.00 pm
ATTENTION!! * from January the 3rd until the 2nd week of march the museum is just opened for groups on request