The Centre for Coins, Culture and Religious History has several curated sets of historical material that are available for loan to schools, faith communities and community groups. Exhibition sets that are currently available include the following, and more sets will be created over time.
Curated sets for local exhibitions
After reviewing the list of current exhibitions sets, please contact us by email to discuss availability and other local arrangements.
Each exhibition consists of a number of items such as coins, manuscripts and figurines. A PowerPoint presentation explains each exhibition.
One of our volunteers typically delivers the materials and assist with setting up the display in consultation with local staff. It can be supervised by RE teachers, chaplains and librarians, and suitable sites include the school library.
All our volunteers have appropriate child support after clearance, which in Queensland means the Blue Card.
Download the catalog of available exhibitions as a PDF.
Available sets
A history of coins. There are 23 coins from the beginning of coinage in the 7thcentury BC to 2018. There are also some large Roman coins for the students to handle. Each coin is attached to an A4 card by a ribbon. Four of the coins are replicas.
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
Coins of Alexander the Great. A set of 14 coins that feature Alexander, 5 of which were minted prior to his death in 323 BCE. The coin at left was minted by Lysimachus in about 300 BCE, and shows Alexander with the Horn of Ammon.
Coins of the Roman Republic. A set of 30 coins from the Roman republic (500–27 BCE) illustrate the history of this interesting period.
The Roman Empire to 100 CE. There are 20 coins with portraits of all the Roman emperors. This kit includes some large coins for students to handle and other objects such as Roman lamps. This denarius (above left) shows Mark Antony with his broken nose.
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
Coins of the Roman Emperors from 100 CE to 500 CE. This set has 106 coins issued by Roman emperors between 100 CE and 500 CE and extends the coverage offered by the 20 coins in the Roman Emprie to 100 CE set. There are 42 sestertii from 2C, 32 coins from 3C, and 32 coins from the 4C & 5C.
Gallery | Request Item
Coins from the time of Jesus.
A collection of 30 coins, including coins issued by Pontius Plate and Herod Antipas. The coin shown at left is bronze prutah issued by Pontius Pilate in 30 CE, which was the year of Jesus’ crucifixion..
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
The coins of Ephesus. 34 coins from the seventh century BCE to the third century CE. Each coin is attached to an A4 card. The city and its connection with St Paul are explained.
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
The coins of Tarsus. 35 coins from the fifth century BCE to the third century CE. Each coin is attached to an A4 card by a ribbon. Tarsus was the home-town of St Paul.
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
Cities visited by Saint Paul.
30 coins minted at the cities visited by Paul during his three missionary journeys as described in the Acts of the Apostles. The two PPT files include photos of the cities as well as the coins.
Gallery | PPT 1 & PPT 2 | Request Item
Ancient Egypt. This exhibition consists of coins from the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BCE), together with artefacts from the time of Pharaohs. The image at left is a bronze figure of Osiris from the Late Period (644–332 BCE), which ended with the conquests of Alexander the Great.
The Byzantine Empire. A set of 32 coins issued by Byzantine emperors are used to recount the history of Byzantium.
Icons. A display of 15 Russian icons, mostly from the 19th century, to introduce art students to this different way of visualizing Christian subjects. This exhibition may also be of interest to Christians more generally.
Icons & Mosaics (RE unit)
Islamic Manuscripts and Coins. Medieval Islamic manuscripts and coins are used to illustrate the history of Islam.
Gallery | PPT | Article | Request Item
Ethiopian Christianity. A collection of manuscripts, crosses and icons from Ethiopia.
The Middle Ages. A set of 30 items (mostly coins) provide an overview of the history of the Middle Ages in Europe. The bronze reliquary (left) dates from the twelfth century and was found in Britain.
Books of Hours. This exhibition of medieval Books of Hours offers an insight into the devotional practices of wealthy Christians, with the education to read and the finances to afford such a work of art. Each of the pages in the exhibition features detailed hand-crafted art and calligraphy, and invites us to reflect on the place of quietness in busy lives.
Gallery | PPT | PDF | Request Item
Books of Liturgy. Manuscripts and printed books are used to illustrate the history of liturgy and to explain what liturgy means. The leaf shown is from a twelfth century hymnal. The emphasis is on what the major denominations have in common.
Venice: Its History in Coins
This set of coins minted in Venice tells the story of the important city.
Gallery | Request Item
The Bible in English. Bible manuscripts and early printed Bibles tell the story of how the Bible came to be written in English. The leaf shown is from a small Bible made in Paris in 1250. The exhibition includes a page from the first edition of Erasmus’ Greek New Testament.
The Reformation. The exhibition includes manuscripts from before the printing press, including a papyrus fragment from the first century; devotional works and music texts; printed documents and other historical materials; as well as coins, icons and other items.
Gallery | PPT | Request Item
The French Revolution. This exhibition tells the story of the French Revolution with coins, medallions, paper money and political pamphlets from the time.
Albert Schweitzer
Stamps, coins and medals illustrate the life of Albert Schweitzer, the famous medical missionary and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. The exhibits include letters hand-written by Schweitzer.