It has been announced that the tools that were used to manufacture coins and examples of coins that have been manufactured since the Ottoman era will now be displayed in the historical mint in Bursa's Osmangazi district, as its restoration, undertaken by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, is coming to an end. The founding president of Maksem Mint Culture and Solidarity Association, Şükran Mercan Misci, told an Anadolu Agency correspondent that the historical mint will operate as an exhibition hall and cultural center. Misci, who said she used to reside in the same building as the mint, explained that offering cultural events at the historical mint is a source of happiness for her. She said that the historical mint is referred to as the Ottoman Empire's first school for governesses. "We were tenants when we were living here. The owners of the building asked us to move out," she said. When Misci and her family learned that the owners of the house were going to tear down the building to build new houses, they got in touch with Bursa Mayor Recep Altepe, and the historical mint was expropriated. Since then, the building has been renovated to host cultural events, Misci said that cultural and social organizations intended for young people and women will be held at the historical building once the renovation is completed. Stressing that the restoration will come to an end in the near future, Misci said: "Following the inauguration, we will begin organizing events. Although the old tools that were used to manufacture coins are no longer in the building, we will bring in new ones. Old coins are being collected from all over Turkey." The emblem hanging in the entrance of the historical mint was inspired by coins of the period and it will be displayed as soon as the building is converted into a museum. "The old mint will now manufacture culture instead of coins. It will serve as a place for cultural and educational activities," Misci said.
