Rome Through the Story of Its Coins

A single coin can tell the story of an empire, a pope or a revolution. This is the idea behind Rome in Coins: Art and Power in the History of the Eternal City, a major exhibition spread across three museums that transforms the city itself into a journey through more than two thousand years of history. The exhibition unfolds across three venues, linked by a single admission ticket. At the National Roman Museum, visitors begin with ancient Rome, where coins are displayed alongside masterpieces such as portraits of Julius Caesar and Constantine, illustrating the birth and rise of the Roman Empire. The journey then continues to the Colosseum Archaeological Park, where the evocative Temple of Romulus explores the Middle Ages through frescoes, monumental sculptures and remarkable works connected to papal Rome. Finally, at the VIVE – Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia, the story reaches the modern and contemporary eras, from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, featuring works by Bernini, illuminated manuscripts and Maurizio Cattelan's Untitled, which creates a dialogue between past and present. Bringing together more than 160 works, including coins, paintings, sculptures and digital installations, the exhibition reveals how a small metal object can preserve the memory of great historical events. An original and engaging journey that offers a fresh perspective on Rome through one of the most enduring symbols of its power, identity and history.