Zecca di Lucca, Numismatic museum in Lucca, Italy.
The Zecca di Lucca is a numismatic museum housed in Casermetta San Donato on the city walls, displaying a broad collection of coins, scales, and weights from different periods. The exhibits also include tools and materials that were used in the minting process.
The mint was founded around 650 and operated continuously until 1843, making it one of Europe's longest-running operations. It passed through different rulers during the Lombard period and later under the Bourbons, with changes visible in the coins produced.
The coins on display feature the Holy Face, a religious image deeply rooted in medieval Lucca's identity. This connection between money and faith shows how the city mixed its commercial life with spiritual beliefs.
The location sits conveniently along the city walls and is easy to reach from different points in Lucca. Plan about an hour and a half for a comfortable visit to see all the exhibits at a relaxed pace.
Inside the museum is an active workshop where craftspeople mint historical coins using traditional techniques passed down through centuries. Watching this hands-on process gives a rare glimpse into methods that stayed essentially unchanged for over a thousand years.
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