Storytelling of a Coin Collection by Means of RTI Images: the Simoneschi Collect

[leetoone]

Storytelling of a Coin Collection by Means of RTI Images: the Simoneschi Collection in Palazzo Blu

This is an extract from the webpage. It is well worth a visit I especially like the changing light function and the ability to rotate the coin.

'The numismatic collection of Ottavio Simoneschi (1890-1960) (Burresi, 1989) was acquired by Fondazione Pisa in 2007, but the study of its materials began in 2012. First, an accurate inventory of the pieces was drawn up and accompanied by digital photographs for effective identification. The exemplars of greatest numismatic, historical and artistic interest were then identified and those pieces in most urgent need of restoration were set aside for attention. This preliminary work was necessary and useful for the preparation of the permanent exhibit, realized in 2013.

The Simoneschi Collection comprises more than 3,300 pieces ranging from coins to medallions. It is not clear through what channels – acquisitions, inheritance, gifts or finds – he was able to assemble such a vast number of pieces, although some of the more valuable can be retraced through their labels and the catalogues in his library to auctions held by prestigious coin traders of the time.

The greater part of the collection is devoted to coins from Antiquity: ancient Greece, Magna Grecia and Etruria. The main body of the collection, however, consists of a vast selection of pieces from Republican and Imperial Rome, including medallions of great rarity and beauty. Also of interest are some examples of counterfeiters’ art produced in recent centuries. The coins from medieval and modern Italy are also of significant interest, in particular various series issued by the mints of Florence and Milan. Beautiful exemplars produced by the Republic of Venice during the course of her history from the Middle Ages to the early modern era stand out, including the splendid oselle commissioned by the doges in the 16th century. The Simoneschi Collection therefore offers not only an overview of the history of coin making, but also a window on the history and art in Italy and in the Mediterranean from the 6th century BC to the end of the 19th century.

For these reasons, those coins and medallions chosen for permanent display have been arranged to illustrate the principal chapters in the history of coinage in Italy and the Mediterranean between Antiquity and the beginning of the contemporary era, while at the same time retaining the unique characteristics of the original collection which reflect the tastes of Ottavio Simoneschi.'


http://mwf2014.museumsandtheweb.com/paper/storytelling-of-a-coin-collection-by-means-of-rti-images-the-case-of-the-simoneschi-collection-in-palazzo-blu/ …


The main site is here:

http://vcg.isti.cnr.it/PalazzoBlu/

[ickster]

A great site. I bookmarked it. Thanks.

[daverino]

Well worth viewing. What a collection covering a broad range of ancient history.