In the fifteenth century artists such as Pisanello and Matteo dei Pasti created medals (see display case 12 Renaissance medals) with forms similar to coins but not aimed at exchange but rather of a private origin, art objects with a commemorative value of famous people or great events. In fact, the medals also document the history of the city and supply an image of illustrious men (Colombo, Andrea Doria, Paganini) (see display case 18: Characters and events in the history of Genoa through medals).
There are numerous pieces from the Napoleonic era, some signed by important engravers such as Gerolamo Vassallo and referencing the establishment of the Ligurian Republic, the annexation to France and the arrival of Napoleon in Genoa in 1805 (see display case 17: The Napoleonic medals).