Indifferently strewn about in the crevices of our belongings, coins are seen only when needed to serve their economic purposes. However, when looked upon more closely and beyond their purchasing power, coins, with their visual motifs, can reveal much about a nation’s governance, culture, and its past.

Coins are small vessels through which a state can legitimize itself. They also help a state to disseminate stories and connect with its people. When they circulate, they can contribute to the formation and strengthening of distinct national identities through their reach to all sectors of society and in their renditions, can capture the cultural zeitgeist of the time.

Director Alessandro Novelli recognized these overlooked capabilities of coins. Inspired by a commissioned project