The Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies at the Terrasses de Fontvieille is marking its 30th anniversary with an exhibition tracing the institution’s own history, from its origins as Monaco’s first monetary museum to the collection it holds today.

Running from 25th March to 26th April, the exhibition — titled ‘Du Musée monétaire au Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies’ — was produced in collaboration with the Prince’s Palace and sheds light on a chapter of Monégasque heritage that is little known even to regular visitors. It traces how the original monetary museum gradually evolved into the current institution, and examines the role that Prince Rainier III played in building the collections that give it its international standing today.

Rainier III was a passionate philatelist whose personal commitment shaped both the scope and the reputation of Monaco’s philatelic and numismatic holdings. The exhibition draws directly on those collections, presenting a selection of pieces that reflect the breadth of his interest and the quality of what he assembled over the course of his reign.

The exhibition was curated by Jean-Louis Charlet, a numismatic expert and member of the Consultative Commission for the Prince’s Philatelic and Numismatic Collections.

For collectors, history enthusiasts and those simply curious about a lesser-known corner of Monaco’s cultural heritage, the exhibition offers a focused and time-limited opportunity to engage with material that is rarely on public display.

The Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies is located at the Terrasses de Fontvieille.

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Photo by Monaco Life