Coin Collector

Coin Collector | 10 | www.allaboutcoins.co.uk TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR Right now many of the museums and mints around the world have shut their doors, if only there was some way we could take a look inside without having to physically go there… you can, and the brilliant Google Arts and Culture project opens up a world of possibilities for us to discover, view and learn about coins from around the world Why not take a trip to the Monnaie de Paris, where French coins have been minted for twelve centuries? You can view over 700 objects from the collections, find out more about the building’s history, and even relax on the building’s roof overlooking the River Seine. The Google Arts & Culture site shows the items in perfect detail and a click on the image provides further information and related pieces. Click on the ‘clock’ icon and you’re given a smart timeline, putting the many items in chronological order. Of course, perhaps the most interesting aspect of the online offering is the virtual ‘Google Street View’ tour – you can ‘walk’ around the 11 Conti Museum simply with a few clicks of your mouse. As you make your way into the museum along the cobbled floors, you can see parts of the minting facility through the windows. Head up the stairs (or click on the small figure 1 if you’re getting a little tired, it’s the online equivalent of taking the lift) and you’ll enter the exhibition, with coins shining out form their display cases. Of course, since we’re in Paris the descriptions are in French, but an English translation is available beneath – just click on the + button to zoom and read about the exhibit. Like any museum visit, you can end your day at the boutique. And, of course, you can buy the products for real at: www. monnaiedeparis.fr/en/shop without having to carry them home. MONNAIE DE PARIS ARTSANDCULTURE.GOOGLE.COM/PARTNER/MONNAIE-DE-PARIS The Museum of American Finance is currently running an online exhibition entitled ‘For The Love Of Money: Blacks On U.S. Currency’. The exhibition celebrates Black history icons, seminal historic events and institutions whose significant contributions to American and Black history have been recognised by law through commemoration on United States currency in the form of Commemorative Coins, Medals and Medallions. This exhibition features 41 Silver, Gold and Bronze Coins, Concept Coins, Medals, Presidential Medals, Medallions and Copper Anti-Slavery Tokens from the Museum Of UnCut Funk Collection. There’s also a video of the press conference that opened the event. MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE WWW.MOAF.ORG/FORTHELOVEOFMONEY