Celebrating the European Days of Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage¹, the Numismatic Museum is organizing for one more year, events and activities aimed at the general public, at conservation professionals and more, opening the doors of the conservation laboratory for two days.

The first activity on the theme “Presentation of the Numismatic Museum’s conservation laboratory and the coin conservation methods applied” will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, in the Museum’s laboratory.
The public will have the opportunity to come into contact with the laboratory area and be informed about the methods and procedures for the examination and conservation of coins applied to the Museum’s collections. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to see photographs of cases before and after conservation and to literally step into the position of a conservator and observe an ancient bronze coin under a microscope and remove, with small conservation tools, corrosion products under the guidance of the Museum’s conservators.

The second activity on the theme “Application of examination and analysis methods to stones and coins” will take place on the same day, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00, in the Museum’s laboratory.
During this activity, the public will have the opportunity to delve into issues related to gems and coins. The gems, whether in jewelry or as seal stones, are initially examined mineralogically, applying gemological non-destructive methods, obtaining data on their authenticity and their possible geological origin. In some cases, they can also be dated. As far as coins is concerned, analysis can provide valuable information regarding the material and production method, which contribute to the research of authenticity or the systematic study of coins of a specific period or region.

Participation in the activities is free, with no restrictions on the registration of activities, however, reservation is required. For reservations you can contact the Conservation Laboratory of the museum Mon.-Fri. 8:00-16:00, on the number 210 3632057. Priority order will be followed.

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11:00, the Museum is organizing the event “Tribute to Marina Lykiardopoulou – Petrou”.
The Museum Conservation Department will present the distinguished conservator and long-time employee of the Museum, Marina Lykiardopoulou – Petrou, a UCL graduate. Ms. Lykiardopoulou – Petrou worked tirelessly from 1971 to 2012, introducing and applying pioneering methods in metal conservation. In her early carrier, she accepted the request to organize the curriculum of the Conservation Department of University of West Attica and afterwards served there as a teacher. Moreover, she has left a mark on conservation in Greece, by organizing modern laboratories in significant Museums and Ephorates of Antiquities and publishing numerous papers, articles, monographies and recently, her book. All of her achievements have contributed to the extroversion of the profession and she has influenced an entire generation of Greek conservators, that of the 90s, which today possesses high qualifications in the field of conservation and scientific research.

The event will close with traditional music and refreshments. Admission is free.

¹ The European Conservation Day, an initiative of the European Confederation of Conservation Organizations (ECCO), aims to highlight the role of the conservator in the preservation of cultural heritage and was established in Greece in 2018 with the cooperation of the Directorate for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments (DSANM) of the Ministry of Culture, the Association of Conservators of Antiquities and Works of Art of Higher Education and the Greek Section of ICOM.

EDITOR: Conservation Department of Numismatic Museum