The main scope of this paper is to understand the role of Italian authorities acquiring Arabic coins for Sicilian museums. In particular, this essay presents some valuable, unpublished records that are relevant to the history of state collections in Sicily. Antonino Salinas (1841–1914), Director of the Palermo Museum and skilful numismatist, played a leading role in the history of Sicilian archaeology. In 1877, he accepted a donation of some coins, which were offered by Giovanni Pacetto (1806-84), and he also purchased additional finds to increase the museum numismatic collections. Archival records are, therefore, vital to assess why Salinas appreciated Arabic coins, and how donations and acquisitions occurred in the early post-Unification period. These two valuable case studies can help us to understand the history of state collections and the role of the authorities in Sicily, who were constantly interested in acquiring not only classical but also Arabic coins for the newly-born Palermo Museum.
