Period covered by the collections VIe siècle av. J.-C. à 1857 (≈ 551 av. J.-C.)
Massalia coinage and provencal workshops.
1881
Construction of the Palace of Fine Arts
Construction of the Palace of Fine Arts 1881 (≈ 1881)
Building designed by Henry Esperandieu to house the Cabinet.
Rvolution française (fin XVIIIe siècle)
Creation of collections
Creation of collections Rvolution française (fin XVIIIe siècle) (≈ 1895)
Constitution of the numismatic cabinet by donations.
1973
Current installation
Current installation 1973 (≈ 1973)
Transfer to the Palace of Fine Arts with the Municipal Archives.
2005
Creation of the restoration workshop
Creation of the restoration workshop 2005 (≈ 2005)
Observatory of French monetary collections.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Henry Esperandieu - Architect
Designer of the Palais des Beaux-Arts (1881).
Origin and history
The Cabinet des Monnaies et Medals de Marseille found its origins in the French Revolution, during which its collections were formed. It gathers ancient, medieval and royal pieces from prestigious gifts and acquisitions (Fauris collections of Saint-Vincens, Martin, Augier, Vernin, etc.). Without its own budget, it is financially dependent on the Municipal Archives of Marseille. Its current installation dates back to 1973, within the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a building designed in 1881 by architect Henry Esperandieu to house the École des Beaux-Arts, the Municipal Library and its Numismatic Cabinet.
The Cabinet is distinguished by its metal restoration workshop, created in 2005, dedicated to the preservation of numismatic objects (currency, medals, tokens) from French public collections. Its permanent exhibitions highlight the monetary history of Marseilles, the oldest workshop in the West (from the 6th century BC to 1857), as well as six centuries of Provencal medals. Among his treasures are 125 coins from Massalia's first coinage, discovered in the Treasure of Auriol, as well as coins related to the Order of Malta, the princes of Orange or the papacy of Avignon.
The Cabinet is associated with the Longchamp Palace, Historic Monument, and shares its premises with the Municipal Archives and the National Regional Conservatory. Its official address, 1 Place Carli, is located in the 1st arrondissement of Marseille, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. Although its GPS location is approximate (accuracy note: 5/10), it benefits from the label Musée de France and offers an immersion in the economic and artistic history of Provence through its collections.
