Monnaies & Merveilles, our photos of the exhibition at La Monnaie de Paris

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Published by Laurent de Sortiraparis · Photos by Laurent de Sortiraparis · Published on May 13th, 2022 at 05:08 p.m.
La Monnaie de Paris is devoting an exhibition to the infinite variety of forms, materials and uses of coins, entitled Monnaies & Merveilles, from May 12 to September 25, 2022.

Why are coins shaped the way they are? Why were these precious materials chosen to make them? What are the different uses of coins around the world... ? These are just some of the questions that the Monnaie de Paris seeks to answer with its latest exhibition, Monnaies & Merveilles, which runs from May 12 to September 25, 2022.

Whether made of gold, silver, feathers (yes, feathers!), mother-of-pearl, pearls or even iron, coins have taken on different forms and values throughout history and around the world. Its diversity is astonishing, but it always has a single purpose: to enable the materialization of commercial transactions, both within and outside a given group. A currency that also expresses an individual's rank, prestige and wealth, or ensures"the balance and survival of the community".

Monnaies & Merveilles, nos photos de l'exposition à la Monnaie de ParisMonnaies & Merveilles, nos photos de l'exposition à la Monnaie de ParisMonnaies & Merveilles, nos photos de l'exposition à la Monnaie de ParisMonnaies & Merveilles, nos photos de l'exposition à la Monnaie de Paris

True"instruments of sociability and exchange" laid bare here by the Monnaie de Paris, offering an almost anthropological analysis of man's relationship with money. A transactional medium that takes a variety of forms, from Kuba velvet from Zaire, money bracelets from Côte d'Ivoire, textiles from Timor in Southeast Asia, to feather rolls from the Santa Cruz Islands in Polynesia.

A total of 200 pieces are on display, all from the collections of major museums such as the Musée du Quai Branly, the Musée Guimet, the Musée des Confluences in Lyon and the Mucem, as well as from galleries and private collectors. A beautiful exhibition that takes visitors on a journey to the heart of monetary rituals and practices across cultures and civilizations, where the elements used for transactions are elevated to the rank of true masterpieces. In short, a must-see exhibition for all lovers of fine objets d'art... Shall we drop in, friends?

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From May 12th, 2022 to September 24th, 2022

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    Location

    11, quai Conti
    75006 Paris 6

    Accessibility info

    Prices
    Tarif réduit: €10
    Plein tarif: €12
    Tarif exposition + musée: €14

    Official website
    www.monnaiedeparis.fr

    More information
    Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Nocturne on Wednesdays until 9pm.

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