Bitcoin was displayed at the British Museum, History of Money exhibit

On November 4, 2012, the British Museum made a significant addition to its History of Money exhibit by including Bitcoin, marking a milestone in the recognition of the digital currency. The exhibit, which chronicles the evolution of money over 4,000 years, from ancient coins to modern banknotes, now featured Bitcoin as a contemporary form of currency.
 

The inclusion of Bitcoin in the museum’s exhibit was symbolic of the growing acceptance of bitcoins as a legitimate financial instrument. It also represented the museum’s commitment to documenting the continuous transformation of money throughout human history. Bitcoin, being the first decentralized digital currency, was a natural fit for the exhibit, which aimed to showcase the diverse forms of money used across different cultures and eras.
 

The display highlighted a physical representation of Bitcoin, a Casascius coin, which is a novelty item that contains a small amount of actual Bitcoin. The coin served as a tangible link to the otherwise virtual currency, making it accessible and understandable to museum visitors. The Casascius coin was particularly chosen for its ability to represent the concept of Bitcoin while providing a physical object for display purposes.