Cabinet des Monnaies et Médailles

About the museum

The Cabinet des Monnaies et Médailles of Marseille was founded in 1821 by royal ordinance of Louis XVIII, based on the purchase of coins, medals and numismatic books gathered in the 18th century by two magistrates from Aix, Jules Fauris de Saint-Vincens and his son. It was meant to give Marseille a centre for study and to strengthen its role as the cultural capital of Provence. It settled in the former convent of the Bernardines, attached to the municipal library, and its collections were shown to the public from 1833 at the latest.

After the closure of the Marseille mint in 1857, the City refounded the Cabinet with its own staff and acquisition budget, to preserve the monetary history of Marseille and Provence. The second half of the 19th century was its golden age: it rivalled the Paris cabinet and maintained relations with institutions around the world. In 1881 it moved into premises designed for it in the Palais Carli. A major theft and the First World War brought this period to an end, and the institution remained dormant until the 1970s.

Since the early 21st century, the Cabinet has been based in La Belle-de-Mai. It holds some 50,000 objects: ancient and modern coins, French and foreign, a rich collection of medals and a study library. Its exhibition room is now closed pending renovation. In the meantime, part of the collections can be seen at the Archives municipales, in other Marseille museums and at the Mucem.

Highlights

• About 50,000 objects: ancient and modern coins, French and foreign
• Rich collection of medals
• Study library devoted to numismatics
• Collections of coins from Marseille and Provence
• Rotating numismatic display case at the Archives municipales

Founded

1821

Operated by

Ville de Marseille

Visitors per year

approx. 1,665

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission when the room is open.

Accessibility

The exhibition room is closed pending its renovation.

Kids & families

The exhibition room is closed pending its renovation.

Getting there & parking

The exhibition room is closed pending its renovation.

Amenities & dining

The exhibition room is closed pending its renovation.

Events & venue rental

The exhibition room is closed pending its renovation.