Museum of International numismatic club in conjunction with the Moscow Kremlin Museums have invited visitors to look at the history of the Romanov dynasty through the prism of numismatics. Exhibition “Gold coins in the history of the Romanov dynasty” runs from 21 February to 17 December 2017.
International numismatic club and the Museum is opened in 2015. The Museum is a private form of ownership. Founder and owner of the Museum is Vagit Alekperov (the President of JSC “LUKOIL”). The purpose of the Museum declared as the promotion of numismatics, museology and history in general.
Alexandra V. Mitiaeva, curator of the exhibition, told the readers of the cultural-political magazine “E-Vesti” that: “the Collection began with the personal passion of our founder, when the first 10 rubles coins were purchased. Later, Alekperov bought such coins, and about 15 years ago he decided to make a full collection. For this he has attracted specialists for systematical work on the creation of the collection, including monitoring of antique market and tracking of donations from private collectors. Time after time they made a unique collection that impresses even the Museum staff, since it contains coins of amazing safety. Vagit Alekperov wants his collection to be available for everyone and to be included into the scientific circulations and exhibitions”.
At the exhibition the coins are divided into 3 parts based on final application: coins as money and coins, granted by the king for service or used in everyday life of the Royal family.
Granted coins with images of saints became widespread in the XVI-XVII centuries, they became the prototype of awards. Depending on the position and reward of its merits, they differ in weight and sizes, from ½ penny or pennies to the lower classes (gilded money) to 7 “in gold Ugric”, i.e. hungrian coin, which were provided with a chain for wearing on the neck in special cases. Awards could contain dedicatory inscriptions, portraits of Royal personages and other symbols. The tradition of such awards continued futher, until the era of Nicholas II.
In ceremonies and everyday life of the Royal family gold coins were used too, especially for shedding the gold coins of the king during the coronation and wedding (“showering”). They also served as Church donations, decorating wedding loaves, they were placed in the base of the buildings and monuments. Coins could be used as elements of jewelry too.
The above numismatic items as well as money and other exhibits were composed of the collections of the Museum of International numismatic club, Moscow Kremlin Museums, State Historical Museum and from the collection of L. N. Ushakov and collections of members of the International numismatic club. There are more than 700 items.
Sources: Museum of International numismatic club, Gold coins in the history of the Romanov dynasty: the exhibition. Museum of International numismatic club. Lingva-f, 2017.
