Mann reopens the Numismatics section: highlights and practical info

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Mann) has reopened its Numismatics section, offering an exhibition that outlines the economic and social history of the ancient world through coins, medals, dies and associated archaeological materials. The section is open from 25 April 2026.

The display follows a chronological path from the Archaic period (6th century BC) through the Bourbon period and Italian Unification, with a special focus on finds from the Vesuvian area, including Pompeii and Herculaneum.

• Scale and variety: more than 6,000 coins, medals, dies and punches on display.
• Jewelry and gold items: a selection of about 130 pieces from historic collections and Vesuvian excavations.
• Notable objects: the gold medallion of Augustus and high-value finds from pre- and post-unification excavations.
• Supporting materials: painted plaster, epigraphic items and furnishings from ancient houses and workshops.

The exhibition does more than show objects: it tells the stories of the people who made and used them, the minting techniques, weight systems and the role of money in local economies. Among the pieces on view is a cameo ring with a theatrical mask, found during Bourbon-era excavations and notable for its provenance.

The reopening was funded by the Ministry of Culture through the PON Culture and Development 2014-2020 program, supplemented with ordinary funds for 2024-2025.

Visitor tips:

• Check the museum's official website for up-to-date opening hours and access rules before your visit.
• Allow at least one hour to explore the numismatics section if you want to study the historical and economic details.
• Read labels and explanatory panels to follow chronologies and the links to Vesuvian excavations.

The renewed section offers a clear window into the economic life of the ancient Mediterranean through objects that illustrate production, exchange and social status across centuries.