A MUSEUM MADE OF MEMORIES

Tucked away in Dubai's Nad AL Sheba is a villa that doubles as a museum for visitors to explore a slice of history through rare coins, currency notes, pens and more.

- Anand Raj OK

To say I was surprised would be putting it mildly. I've visited a fair number of coin and currency exhibits and museums, but I completely flipped over this one in Dubai.

How often do you come across a coin that celebrates one of the most iconic tales from Arabian Nights, of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? Struck in pure silver, it features the legendary scene where Ali Baba overhears the thieves visiting the secret cave where their treasure is hidden. It's legal tender in Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific, and one of just 3,000 ever minted.

Then there's a gold coin engraved with none other than Michael Schumacher, commemorating the legendary F1 driver's track triumphs. You'll also find coins featuring beloved characters like Cinderella, Superman and Batman. There's even an adorable one of Winnie the Pooh. All legal tender. There are even coins shaped like keys, axe heads, plates, and rough metal fragments.

MORE THAN JUST CASH

The museum in Dubai houses over a tonne of coins — some dating back to 2 BCfrom nearly every nation in the world. The museum is also home to rare stamps, pens, precious stones and carpets, but more on that later.

Enter the majestic villa in Dubai's Nad Al Sheba, and you will be stepping into a world of ancient civilisations, bygone countries, and untold stories. All meticulously catalogued in the private collection of one man: Ram Tolani.

A successful businessman, financial expert, author and speaker, Ram's penchant for collecting began in 2008 following a stroke he suffered on the eve of his daughter's wedding. "I was so overjoyed that I guess the massive surge in emotions triggered the stroke," he tells me when we meet in the majlis of his house.

This health scare forced the Dubai-based business magnate to step back from his insurance enterprise.