The Greco-Roman Museum of Alexandria houses a collection of hundreds of thousands of coins; 2.000 of them are exhibited. These coins have been found in the various excavations around Alexandria. Thanks to them it has been possible to precisely determine the date of the stratigraphic layers.
All the coins that have been found are sorted out at the excavation warehouse used by the Centre for Alexandrian Studies. Τhen a complex restoration procedure begins. Initial cleaning enables workers to determine what kind of corrosion has affected the coins and what kind of additional treatment will be necessary: ultrasounds or electrolysis.
Finally, a protective coating is applied, and then every piece is moulded, using dentist’s plaster. Numismatists can now begin studying these coins in detail. The most interesting pieces are published and exhibited at the Greco-Roman Museum.
- Direction: RAYMOND COLLET
- Production: CENTRE D'ETUDES ALEXANDRINES, JEAN-YVES EMPEREUR
