Lisbon Art: Your Choice

    For my art choice, I decided to do something a bit more unconventional and write about the coin collection on the wall of the Calouste gulbenkian jardim museum. The coins were arranged in groups, separated by gold and silver. The coins were small and engraved. I noted that the coins were not were near as uniformed as our modern ones today, shaped in perfect circles. These coins had imperfections, all melted in circles of different sizes. The wall had a mosaic-like appearance, capturing my eye when I walked through. The surrounding tile wall contrasted the metallic coins, making you focus on the display.

    These coins are historically important because coins have been used to trade throughout centuries. The coin wall is tangible evidence of the history linked back between civilizations and economic histories. It's very interesting to see these old coins because we still use coins in modern life. Their presence in this museum captures the broad spectrum of human history and is an insight into the daily lives of humans. These coins are linked back to Greek and Roman roots, as well as Persian and Mesopotamian regions. The diverse origins of these coins displayed highlight some extensive history of economic trade and culture. It was fascinating being able to read more about where each coin came from and its economic past!

    To conclude, I think the coin wall does contribute to Lisbon's status as cultural capital. It definitely is not a tourist attraction nor something everyone knows about, but I do think it is a great addition to the museum and showcases a lot of history! For one, it embodies the economic history of currency and trade throughout different civilizations and eras. It is a tangible artifact we can look at from the past, and I think that makes it even easier to imagine the coins in use! I think this collection highlights Lisbon's openness to diversity and appreciating other cultures.