In 1784, Elector Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal initiated a comprehensive reform of the university in Mainz. His ambition was for it to become “excellent,” and if possible, to rival Göttingen, the leading German university of the day. The founding of a coin cabinet was among the reforms he introduced. But why did a university need a coin cabinet? How did the establishment and development of the coin cabinet actually proceed, and, above all, where did the coins come from? And what significance did the cabinet hold not only for teaching and research at the university, but for the broader scholarly community beyond Mainz?

This exhibition explores these largely unknown aspects of the history of the old University of Mainz. It also presents original objects from the cabinet’s holdings, ranging from rare ancient coins and early modern forgeries to magnificent medals commemorating the university reform of 1784.