Anatole de Barthélemy, a renowned numismatist, joined the Commission de Topographie des Gaules in 1861.
© MAN/Valorie Gô
Anatole de Barthélemy, a renowned numismatist, joined the Commission de Topographie des Gaules in 1861.
A senior civil servant serving numismatics
Anatole de Barthélémy forged a career as a senior civil servant while also devoting himself to his passion, numismatics. In 1838, aged just 17, he published the paper “Attribution de médailles gauloises aux Santons” in the Bulletin de la Société de l'histoire de France. His interest in this discipline led him towards history and archaeology. He joined the Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques as a correspondent in 1845, and became a permanent member in 1861. Subprefect of Belfort from 1854, in 1860, he was able to take a temporary sabbatical which became permanent. Close to Félicien de Saulcy, he is also considered a major figure in numismatics. His particular contribution to this field was the publication of two guides, in 1851 and 1866.
Secretary of the CTG
From 1861 to 1879, he was secretary of the Commission de Topographie des Gaules, replacing Alfred Jacobs. Like Félicien de Saulcy, Alexandre Bertrand, Alfred Maury and Casimir Creuly, he played a highly active role in the creation of the musée gallo-romain, building the museum’s numismatic collections.
