Founded in London, the International Institute of MetaNumismatics (INIMEN) brings together numismatic scholars and digital innovation experts from universities, academic institutions, and research centers. The Institute functions as an advanced observatory, dedicated to the critical analysis of the transformations shaping numismatics in the digital age.
Rooted in Europe’s prestigious numismatic tradition, the Institute aims to explore the potential offered by advanced technological tools in the fields of research, representation, preservation, and interaction with numismatic heritage. The ongoing digital revolution is laying the groundwork for a profound redefinition of numismatic studies, introducing new tools and methodologies that are gradually reshaping approaches and research perspectives. Similarly, the numismatic collecting sphere is undergoing a significant evolution.
In response to these changes, the Institute structures its research through specialized departments, focusing on key areas such as the metaverse, blockchain, extended reality (XR, including virtual reality – VR, augmented reality – AR, and mixed reality – MR), 3D modeling, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the Institute explores emerging frameworks for digital certification and authentication, numismatic digitization processes, and interactive models that foster dynamic exchanges between researchers and collectors within immersive environments.
Designed from its inception as a digital-native institution, the Institute operates directly within virtual platforms and the evolving digital research landscape. Its decentralized structure enables collaboration among specialists worldwide, fostering an innovative and transdisciplinary approach to numismatic studies. This commitment to new research frontiers materializes in investigative projects conducted within the metaverse, a domain where novel paradigms of scholarly analysis, collecting, and engagement are taking shape.
In line with this vision, the Institute has established a research presence within the metaverse The Sandbox, joining an ecosystem shared by global pioneers in financial, cultural, and technological innovation, including Atari, Binance, Adidas, and Warner Music. Notably, The Sandbox has also been embraced by esteemed institutions such as the British Museum, which has explored its potential for cultural heritage dissemination and digital engagement.
The Institute’s strategic positioning extends beyond symbolic value, serving as a privileged observatory for in situ research, allowing scholars to examine emerging digital dynamics firsthand. Engaging with these evolving environments, the Institute adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating anthropological methodologies to analyze tokenization, digital ownership, and new forms of virtual asset exchange. The research focuses on a critical assessment of the potential these processes offer to numismatic studies and collecting, exploring their epistemological, legal, and socio-cultural implications within the broader framework of technological transformations.
Beyond The Sandbox, the Institute actively engages with other emerging metaverses, further consolidating its role as a scientific hub for the study of numismatic interactions. Through rigorous observation and a structured presence in digital realities, the Institute positions itself at the forefront of 21st-century numismatic research, harmonizing academic rigor with a forward-looking approach to digital transformation.
Info: International Institute of MetaNumismatics
Email: info@metanumismatics.com
Website: www.metanumismatics.com
