Zapiti abstract 2007

Conservation, presentation, uses, acquisitions - numismatic collection of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation:Eleni Zapiti, Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation

Brief history of the Collection

The Bank of Cyprus (founded 1899) began to purchase ancient and medieval Cypriot coins from authorised European dealers in the early years after Independence (1960). Thus, in 1984 a small collection of mostly medieval coins was entrusted to the Cultural Foundation, a non-profit making institution funded by the Bank of Cyprus Group.

Since 1984 the Cultural Foundation has developed an appreciable collection of specimens which span the entire spectrum of Cypriot Coinage, from the earliest types struck in the island in the 6th century B.C. to the first coins issued by the Republic of Cyprus after the declaration of Independence in 1960.

The collection before its permanent exhibition in the Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage, in 1995, was presented in various exhibitions abroad.

The Bank of Cyprus Cultural foundation implements an on going program linked with the conservation preservation exhibition and enrichment of the collection as well as the encouragement of research and its educational role.

Conservation Preservation

This strategy plan of the Foundation is implemented in collaboration with special conservators.

A. Storage
A great part of the collection is kept in the Foundation’s Strong Room, which was upgraded as to the best preventive conservation of the objects (climate-atmosphere control, materials used, lightning, security).
A special coin cabinet was designed to keep the collection.

B. Exhibition
The Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage is designed according to up to date preservation criteria (materials used, climate control, lightning).
Moreover continuous assessments regarding preventive conservation are implemented.
Case study: Problems with coins exhibited in the new show case of the Museum and what measures were taken.
Ten years after the inauguration of the Museum a renovation program took place in order to secure a better preventive conservation of the exhibits.

C. A continuous program of conserving the coins
This program is based on frequent assessments of their condition and the systematic control of the exhibition conditions in the Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage and in the Strong Room.

D. Documentation
The documentation and reporting archive is a valuable source for the conservation department of the Foundation. Each item has its own conservation card with a report of its condition before and after conservation, of the conservation effected and of any future measures to be taken.
Exhibitions abroad: A relevant documentation was prepared to accompany the exhibits with regard to their conservation. Specific cards illustrated the item and gave details of its condition.

Presentation Uses

The set up of the Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage responds to the criteria that define today a museum. Special attention is paid to the educational role of the exhibition and to programs that reinforce the communication with the public.
The educational programs consist one of the mayor activities of the Museum, as well as the thematic exhibitions, the Numismatic lectures and the Numismatic editions.

Acquisitions

The Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation constantly enriches the Numismatic Collection through purchases from authorized dealers abroad. The Foundations policy is based on certain criteria with regard to the rarity and the condition of the specimens and whether the specific variation is not included in the Collection.

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