“Medaglie incomparabili... di... sublime antichità”

The volume offers a comprehensive and detailed account of the long-standing connection between the city of Padua and the collecting of classical coinage. Drawing on archival sources, historical documents, and often unpublished artifacts, the volume traces the evolution of passion for ancient coins from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, highlighting its pivotal role in the rise of modern archaeology and local historiography. The text brings to light the dense network of scholars, collectors, and key institutions—such as the Civic Museums with the Bottacin Museum and the Episcopal Seminary Library—that preserved and enriched this heritage. Ultimately, the work demonstrates how ancient coins were valued not merely as collector's items, but as essential historical and artistic sources that shaped classical scholarship and Paduan intellectual identity.