The Cabinet des Médailles is a repository located in the Palace of Versailles, France. It houses an impressive collection of coins, medals and other artifacts from the 17th century onwards. The collection was started by Louis XIV in 1671 and has grown ever since. It contains over 250,000 objects from all over Europe, Asia and North America. The majority of items are coins and medals which were given as awards or tokens to individuals for service to the Crown or nation. Other items include sculptures, paintings and manuscripts related to French history. Visitors can explore the exhibits at their own pace as well as take part in guided tours that explain the importance of each item on display. The Cabinet des Médailles is open daily except Mondays and national holidays; admission is free for everyone.