Collezioni numismatiche dell'Ottocento napoletano

In 1734, Elisabetta Farnese transferred the celebrated Farnese medal and coin collection from Parma to Naples together with other collections of art and antiquities, which subsequently formed the first nucleus of the Bourbon Royal Collections. In a short time, it rapidly grew thanks to an extraordinary series of discoveries that occurred during the enlightened Caroline season. Thereafter the history of the Royal Collections merged with that of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies with serious consequences, particularly in the period between the two Restorations. Seriously depleted, the collection was increased partly by the progressive acquisition - through purchases and donations - of some of the most important private coin collections in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, such as that of the Duke of Noja, of Arditi, of Poli, of Santangelo... to name but a few. At that time, many collectors and antiquarians - such as Carelli, Arditi, Avellino and Fiorelli - were involved in the study and/or reorganization of the Bourbon medal and coin collection. This contribution is dedicated to their stories as human beings and collectors, and to the history of the Medal Collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples between 1734 and 1865.