Museum of Stamps and Coins
Musée des timbres et des monnaies de Monaco
Entrance to the museum
Map
Established1950; 75 years ago (1950)
LocationFontvieille, Monaco
TypeNumismatic museum, philatelic museum
Websitewww.mtm-monaco.mc

The Museum of Stamps and Coins is located in the Fontvieille section of Monaco. It tells the postal history of the principality, and contains a display of Monegasque money dating to 1640.

History

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The museum was established by Sovereign Ordinance of Prince Rainier III in 1995, and was opened to the public in January 1996.[1] The museum is home to the Prince's personal stamp and coin collection.[2]

The museum is divided into two halls - the first being the Rare Stamps Room.[3] The first stamps issued in Monaco, those issued in 1885 by Charles III, are held in this space.[4] Prior to this, Sardinian and French stamps were used in Monaco.[5] There are also displays of documents used in the stamp printing process.[6] In addition, there are displays of the machinery used to make stamps and coins, including a stamp printing press and 19th century monetary pendulum.[3]

The second room holds a complete collection of coins, from across Monaco's history.[3] The first Monagesque coins were issued in January 1640 by Prince Honoré II. Today Monaco issues its own Euro coins.[1] Also present are plaster casts used to mint the coins.[3]

An elite philatelic club, the Club de Monte-Carlo, was established in 1999 and is headquartered at the museum. The club showcases rare material at the museum on a bi-annual basis, in the MONACOPHIL exhibition.[7][8] The museum hosts temporary numismatic exhibitions across Europe.[3]

The museum also hosts a shop which sells stamps, coins and other commemorative items.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Museum of Stamps and Coins". www.visitmonaco.com. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Monaco Stamp Museum's little-known history". NEWS.MC - Monaco News. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Museum of Stamps and Coins of Monaco ... exceptional museum - Monaco – Principauté de Monaco -". www.grandsudinsolite.fr. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Museum of Stamps ans Coins | Heritage Nice Tourism Office". Nice Côte d'Azur CVB. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Histoire postale". www.oetp-monaco.com. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Museum of Stamps and Coins, Fontvielle". SeeMonaco.com. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Museums". Why 100 of the world's top collectors will be in Monaco this weekend. Paul Fraser Collectibles. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Monaco: Refreshing Rainier". Stamp Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Timbres". www.oetp-monaco.com. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
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43°43′51″N 7°25′4″E / 43.73083°N 7.41778°E / 43.73083; 7.41778