Canada Guide
Ontario
Currency Museum
Address: 245 Sparks St
Opening time: May– Sept Mon– Sat 10.30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm; Oct– April Tues– Sat 10.30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm
Price: Free
The main reason to visit Sparks Street Mall is the Currency Museum, housed in the old HQ of the Bank of Canada. When it expanded the premises, the bank encased the original 1937 stone building within its new offices, which were themselves enclosed by two green-glass towers with an indoor jungle-like garden court. Within the garden, in front of the museum, is a huge Yap stone, a symbol of wealth in the South Pacific; such stones usually remain at the bottom of the sea, their possession simply changing hands among the islanders by agreement. Inside, the museum focuses on Canadian currencies, from the small beads and shells known as wampum to playing cards, beaver pelts and modern banknotes.