What is gold, really? It is of course a precious metal, but it is also and above all a store of value that has underpinned trust in monetary institutions, economic systems and communities throughout history. This notion is the premise for the talks that Fabio Panetta, Governor of Banca d'Italia and Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples will be giving at MANN on 24 April. The connection between gold and trust takes on a unique form in Naples, where the Treasure of San Gennaro is kept. The treasure is artistic heritage, wealth accumulated over time and a material document of the profound relationship between popular devotion, value management and collective identity.
With this as a starting point, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples - MANN will be the venue for the first of three meetings promoted by MUDEM - Money Museum in the cycle of 'The Adventure of Money - The everlasting exchange' on 24 April. The event is a conversation connecting worlds that only seem to be far apart. On the one hand, gold provided the material basis of former monetary systems, such as the gold standard, plays a financial role at times of international tension, and serves as a reserve asset for central banks. On the other hand, it was the metal for ancient coinage and also had a symbolic, religious and devotional function.
Looking at the use of gold in early monetary systems, the Treasure of San Gennaro and central bank reserves enables us to observe its ever-changing historical function played out on different scales: gold as a measure of value, as an exchange with the divine and as a reserve that guarantees and safeguards trust.
This dialogue between the Museum and the central Bank thus becomes the lens through which we can investigate the role of gold in in the history of money, peoples and institutions.
The event coincides with the upcoming reopening of MANN's numismatic section, and is free of charge. Access will be guaranteed as long as seats are available.
To reserve a place, please write to napoli.eventi@bancaditalia.it
Speakers:
Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples
Fabio Panetta, Governor of Banca d'Italia
Introduction by:
Francesco Sirano, Director of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples
Also participating:
Renata Cantilena, Director of the Italian Institute of Numismatics
Mons. Vincenzo de Gregorio, Abbot-Prelate of the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro
Federico Fubini, Deputy Director of Il Corriere della Sera
