Alte Münze, Medieval building in Minden, Germany

Alte Münze is a three-story stone building in Minden with Gothic pointed-arch windows dating to the 13th century. The structure displays a stepped gable design typical of northern European medieval construction of that era.

Built around 1260, the Alte Münze is one of Westphalia's oldest stone houses. Long thought to be Minden's mint, it was more likely the mint master's residence from the 14th to the 16th century, since coining required running water. In the early 17th century it gained a Late Renaissance bay window and portal.

The name Alte Münze reflects a long-held local belief that the building once housed Minden's mint, since many coins were found here. Today the house is used as a restaurant also called Alte Münze, where the name keeps that story alive.

The building stands in Minden's old town and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. It now houses a restaurant where visitors can enjoy food in a historic setting with original architectural features.

The building was long thought to be Minden's mint because many coins were found there. Today this is considered unlikely, since minting required running water; researchers instead take it for the mint master's residence from the 14th to the 16th century.