The knowledge of medals, or, Instructions for those who apply themselves to the study of medals both ancient and modern from the French.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF MEDALS.

INSTRUCTION I.

Of the Age of Medals; and the time that augments their Rarity and Value.

IF it were with Sciences as it is with Nobi∣lity, which draws its principal glory from its Antiquity; the Science of Medals, without di∣spute, would be the most considerable and esteemed, since it is pos∣sible to demonstrate very clearly from the Holy Scriptures, That the employment of Metals for the use of Men is almost as Ancient as the World.* 1.1 Nevertheless,

it will require a very strong Imagination to believe that Money coined and stamp∣ed was the Invention of Tubal Cain, as Villalpandus pretends, believing, that other∣wise what is said of him in Genesis, can∣not be well enough allowed; Qui fuit malleator, & fabor in cunctâ operâ aeris & ferri. An Instructor of every Artificer in Brass and Iron.

It is very probable that Commerce and Society were carried on for several Ages by the simple Commutation of those things which each one wanted; and the difficul∣ty of coining Metals was the hindrance of employing them in Money for a great while; since even at this day we find whole Nations that never used Metals made into Money, and amongst those that have, they went a long time by weight, before they bethought themselves of giving them the shape of Money, whose value has been fixt by the Will of Man only, and by the convenience which has been found in Pieces of a small size.

* 1.2Some have said that Moses was the first that stamped Money, and introduced the Use of it. Others have pretended to prove from that holy Lawgiver's own words, that it was used in the Land of Canaan in Abraham's time, since in rela∣ting of the manner of his buying a Sepul∣chre

for his Wife, who dyed in that Coun∣try, he speaks of Currant Money, and uses the word Shekels: Which word has served ever since to express certain Pieces of Mo∣ney preserved by the Hebrews. All this, without doubt, is more curious than ne∣cessary for the instruction of one that be∣gins to love Medals, and searches no far∣ther than to understand them.

It suffices then, to inform him of the Age of Medals we treat of, to let him know they must be divided into two sorts, that is, into Ancient and Modern, for this is the first Notion of the Art, on which depends their esteem and value. The An∣cient are all those that were coined within the Third and Ninth Age of Jesus Christ; the Modern which have been made within these last Three hundred Years: For, as for those we have after Charlemagne till that time, the Curious will not vouchsafe to collect them, unless they be such as end the Succession of the Greek Empire; and of which it may be said, with one of our Cri∣ticks, That they form a base sort betwixt the Ancient and Modern, in which neither the Eyes, nor the Mind are entertained with any thing that satisfies, or is agreable; so that to follow one's gusto, the Ancient at farthest must be brought down but until Theodosius his time, which is the end of the Fourth Century.

* 1.3 Amongst the Ancient (I mean those that compose our common Cabinets) some are Greek, some Latin; the Greek are the first, and Ancientest. For the Grecian Kings and Cities, a great while before the foundation of Rome, coined very neat Mo∣ney of all three Metals, and that with so much Art, that in the most flourishing State of the Roman Republick and Empire, they could scarcely equal them. This may be judged of by the Greek small Medals now extant. And as there are some of Kings, and others of Cities; the latter seem to me the Ancientest, though they are not al∣ways so handsome or valuable. It must even be confest, in what relates to their Figures, generally speaking, the Greek Me∣dals have a design, a posture, a force, a delicacy, that expresses the very Muscles and Veins, which being supported by a ve∣ry great Relievo, infinitely surpass the Ro∣man.

I reserve for another place the Medals of other Countries, which compose a new set both amongst the Ancients and Mo∣dern. Such are the Hebrew, Phoenician, Arabick, and the several others that dif∣ferent Nations have coined, every one in its own Language. There are few An∣cient, and the Modern are well enough known.

* 1.4 The Consular Medals are the most An∣cient of the Latin; for in the time of the Kings they knew not what coining of Mo∣ney (especially Gold or Silver) was: So that the series of Families claims the first rank of Antiquity amongst the Roman Medals.

* 1.5 The Imperial are distinguished into those of the Higher and Lower Empire: And although, in regard of what we call Modern, all the Medals of the Emperors, down to the Paleologi, pass for Ancient, albeit they fall in the 15th Age, yet the Curious only esteem those of the Higher Empire,* 1.6 or when it was in its heighth, which ended, as they reckon, at the Thir∣ty Tyrants, and began with Julius Caesar, or Augustus, that is, from about 700 years from the building of Rome, or 54 before the Birth of Christ, to 1010 from the build∣ing of Rome, or thereabouts, and from the Birth of Christ 260.

* 1.7 The Lower Empire comprehends near 1200 years, if one goes as far as the Ruin of the Empire of Constantinople, which hap∣pened about the Year of Our Lord 1450. when the Turks made themselves masters of it; so that afterwards only the Western Empire was acknowledged in the Christian World. Thus one may find two different Ages; The first after the Empire of Aure∣lian, or Claudius Gothicus, to the time of Anastasius, which is above 200 years; the

second from Anastasius to the Paleologi, which is above a thousand.

* 1.8 Whatever follows of Roman Medals within these three last Ages, is called Mo∣dern by the Curious; be it of what Nation soever; and composes the Cabinets of those that regard not the Ancient. For since by his * 1.9 Majesty's Example private Persons have begun to collect these sorts of Medals, the study of them is become so much the more agreeable, as we are more concerned, by reason they are nearer us, and present us with the Image of our own Times.

It is by this sort of Curiosity we may collect the greatest numbers of the several Successions of Popes, Emperors, Kings, Princes, Cities, and particular private Per∣sons: For both Money and Counters ha∣ving place here, there is hardly any singu∣lar Event wherewith one shall not meet; especially since in these latter years we have taken a pleasure in the glory of publick Monuments, and believed it was as much the concern of Nations, as the Honour of Princes, to deliver the Records of great Acti∣ons, and considerable Events, to Posterity.

* 1.10 To give Lessons upon this to Masters themselves, the Ability of the Abbot Bizot is required, who is at present almost the only person that throughly understands them: Whatever is most valuable of this

nature having past through his hands, and no body knowing how to explain them with more perspicuity, facility, and grace, than himself.

Nevertheless I shall not omit teaching Young beginners the use of modern Me∣dals, which are neither less agreeable nor profitable than the Ancient, but much ea∣sier so soon as they have some knowledge in History. As they were first made for pleasure, so the Figures are much more considerable. On them are to be seen Bat∣tels by Sea and Land, Sieges, Entries, Co∣ronations, Funeral Pomps, and other Ce∣remonies; Alliances, Mariages, Families, and all that relate either to Policy or Re∣ligion. The Epocha's are seldom wanting; and we never find a false merit honoured, as on the Ancient. In fine, We are not subject to that deceit the Ancient impose upon us, nothing being more easy than to distinguish what is Cast in a Mould, from what is stamp'd, and it never yet entred into any man's head to counterfeit them in hopes of gain.

* 1.11 The series of the Popes may be very well compleated out of Silver and Cop∣per: Not indeed ever since St. Peter, but only from about 250 years ago; that is, from Martin the Fifth's time, about the year of our Lord 1430. For from that time till Alexander the Eighth, we have Medals of

every Pope, either Cast or Stamp'd, to the number of between Five or Six hun∣dred, which is easily proved by Father Moulinet's Book, who had caused all he could meet with to be engraved there, with a brief explanation of each of them.

It is not without reason he maintains, That, before the time by me assigned, there is no Medal to be found coined during their Pontificat, but are only restored; for it is certain that the Dies or Stamps of Martin the Fifth's Medals, and others down to Julius the Second, were made in the Pontificat of Alexander the Seventh, by the care of the Abbot Bizot, support∣ed by the favour of Cardinal Francis Bar∣barini, who would have caused a far grea∣ter number to have been restored, if the Pope's Death had not spoiled the design he had laid to have had the rest engraved, whose Heads he hoped to have got from their Statues, Tombs, Seals, and other Monuments of the Vatican. In lieu where∣of, this Series at present can only be made out from the Leaden Seals of their Bulls, where the Name of the Pope is only to be had, and not their Representations; it being then the Custom to give you but St. Peter's, and St. Paul's. Sixtus the Fourth is the first that fets his Bust upon his Mo∣ney, which he caused to be stamped with this Inscription, Ʋtilitati publicae, in Me∣mory

of his beginning to Pave the Streets of Rome. With this help a compleat Suc∣cession of the Eighth Age may be begun.

As for the Eugenius IV. of Gold coined during the Council of Florence, it is only a piece of Money in the King's Ca∣binet. Notwithstanding what I have said, it must be confess'd the design of restoring the Medals of all the Popes since St. Peter has been already thought upon, and may be performed by some Body, though only with Cast Medals; for I my self have se∣veral of all Ages, for the most part with two or three Reverses, as some with two large Keys in Pale, and these Words, Cla∣ves Regni Coelorum. Others with the Bust of St. Peter, and two small Keys in Sal∣tire, with the same Legend. Others again with a Veronica, or other particular Re∣verses.

* 1.12 It will not be amiss to warn you in this place, that you confound not, with the true Medals of the Popes, certain Pieces which the Enemies of the Holy See have coined, either to insult, or render it odi∣ous. Such is that of Julius the Third, with this Inscription instead of a Reverse, Gens & Regnum quod non servierit tibi, peribit. Such that of Paul the Third, ΦΕΡΝΗ ΖΗΝΟϹ ΕΥΡΑΙΝΕΙ, which must never be ranked amongst Genuine Medals. Lastly, such are certain ridiculous Medals

cast, I believe, either in Germany, Hol∣land, or at Geneva; some of which repre∣sent the Head of a Pope joyned with that of a Devil, and on the Reverse, a Cardi∣nal's with a Fool's. The Legend is as im∣pertinent as the Type; on one side, Jo∣hannes Calvinus Haeresiarcha pessimus; on the other, & Stulti aliquando sapite. I de∣sire you to tell me what Gust or Learning there is in this?

There is yet another sort as foolish as this, which gives you the head of a Pope joyned to that of an Emperor, and on the Reverse that of a Cardinal with a Bishop's. Theodosius Imperator, & Celestinus Pontifex, the Reverse is so defaced, that no more than these words are legible; Episcopus Anno CCCCXXIII. Who can guess what is meant by these pleasant conjunctions? I should not have designed to mention them, if it were not that these simple pieces fall easily into the hands of beginners, who torment themselves to no purpose in seek∣ing out their meaning; as if we could at∣tribute good sense to the Fantastick Dreams of some ill-contrived heads, when they never had any. The Series of the Popes may be augmented with all the Ecclesiastical Court, as Cardinals, Bishops, and other distinguished Church-men, whose Medals may be found.

* 1.13 After the set of Popes, may be made a very compleat one of the Emperors of the West, from Charlemagne, provided you admit into it some Monies. Oct. Strada has given us a Model, having brought his work from Julius Caesar down to the Em∣peror Matthias, who Reigned at the finish∣ing of his Book: But that Author must not be much relied upon, since the Medals he gives us are almost all false; that is, ei∣ther invented by himself to compleat his Se∣ries, or taken from those which Maximi∣lian made, to augment the Idea of the House of Austria's Grandeur.

Therefore to speak strictly, one cannot begin sooner than at Frederick the Third, in 1463. who Coined a Medal upon his En∣trance into Rome: Since which time we can hardly collect Thirty, unless those of the Kings of Spain are taken in; which set begins but at Philip the First, King of Spain, and Arch-Duke of Austria, Father of Charles the Fifth.

* 1.14 As the Kingdom is the most Noble and Ancient, so the Series of the Kings of France is the most numerous and consider∣able of all the Modern. It's true, for the two first Families one must be contented with Monies. Of which M. Bouteroüe has composed a very curious Book; in which he has caused a very large quantity of them to be Engraved; but from the third we

begin to find not only pieces of Money, but also some Medals. Not to insist too much upon that of Charlemagne, with this Inscrip∣tion, Renovatio Regni Franciae (which very probably belonged to a later Charles) on a piece of Lead which served instead of a Seal. M. Bizot affirms none were Coin'd with the Effigies of the Prince be∣fore Charles the VIIth's time: And the first on which we see any Bust, is that which was Coined by the City of Lyons, for Charles the VIIIth, and Anne of Brit∣tany. But the true glory of the Nation is, That she can prove by Coins an uninter∣rupted Succession of her Monarchs ever since Clodoveus for 1200 years, which no Kingdom in the World besides can do. M. Harlay at this time first President,* 1.15 has made a curious Collection of them; and he has been pleased to enrich his Ma∣jesty's Cabinet: He making it his business to Sacrifice all that he hath to the Service and Glory of his August Monarch. It is all that can be hoped for in this sort of curiosity; for it would be lost labour to pretend to collect all that are Engraved in the le France Metalique, they being all made at Will till Charlemagne, after whose time also a great many are the Invention of Jaques de Bie, and his Associate Du Val.

* 1.16 There is now a design on Foot, which may yet have a more glorious success, and

it is to Collect all the Medals of Lewis the Great, in order to compose a compleat History. His Reign is so singular, and we meet with such a perpetual concatena∣tion of wonders, that Posterity will scarcely believe those Representations, that cannot be explained in it, without admiration. Fa∣ther Menestrier,* 1.17 well known by the ex∣tent of his Learning, and by that generous goodness which will not let him be reser∣ved to any one, and by the many curious pieces he every day obliges the Publick with, has composed the King's Life from these Eternal Monuments of his glory, with a succinct explanation to every Medal; from his most wonderful Birth, to that high pitch of Honour, on which his late Con∣quests have since amounted him.

* 1.18 The Abbot Bizot, whom we have al∣ready often mentioned, has made a most curious and magnificent Collection of the same Medals, in which part of M. Seignelay's Cabinet consisted, for the whole contained above Three thousand. The Order in which he had disposed them still raised the value, and gave a marvellous satisfa∣ction. For, to give you an Idea of it, af∣ter the Series of our Kings, were to be seen all the Princes of the Royal Family; the Dignitaries of the Church, Cardinals and Bishops; the Officers of the Crown, all Magistrates, and those that administer Ju∣stice,

in fine all Eminent Persons in Let∣ters and Arts. A little after were to be seen Foreign Kingdoms and States, of which we have an excellent specimen in the Hi∣stoire Metallique of Holland, which cannot be mentioned without the praise of the Author, since never was any thing better contrived, or more happily performed than that work.

* 1.19 It is easy to judge by this how conside∣rable those sets would be, that should contain all Persons Eminent either for their Birth, or Abilities, their Offices or Em∣ploys; there being very few within these two hundred years, whose Memory is not preserved by some Medals, or at least by Counters, which are part of the Curiosi∣ties of those that love the Modern. M. de Ganiere had a Collection of above Three thousand since Philip the Sixth, who be∣gan to Reign in 1328. I believe he is the best provided of all the Curious in that sort; tho he be no less in his Merit, and those good qualities which gain him the love and esteem of all that have the happi∣ness to be acquainted with him.

INSTRUCTION II.

Of the several Metals whereof Medals are made.

THE Value of Medals must not be chiefly estimated from their Ma∣terials: For it often happens that a Gold Medal shall be common, when a Copper one of the same Stamp shall be very rare: And again, some of Gold very much prized, when the same of Silver, or Cop∣per shall be but of small account. As, for instance; the Latin Otho of the large size in Copper is inestimable, when the Golden one is worth but Three or Four Pistoles more than its weight, which is about Thirteen Livres. And the same Otho of Silver is valued but about 40 or 50 Sols above what it weighs, except it chance to have some extraordinary Reverse which may augment the price of it: And if we could be so happy as to recover some of the first money that was in use with Men, and was nothing but Leather Stamped; as that was which King Numa distributed amongst the people of Rome, and Histo∣rians call Asses Scorteos, no cost would be spared to put it in the highest and most conspicuous place of our Cabinets.

You must not fail to be acquainted with the Ancient Metals that you may not be deceived, and that you may know how the several Series's of them are formed, in which you must never mix Metals, unless sometimes to render a Silver Series more ample and compleat; some Gold Medals that are not extant in Silver are allowed to be inserted; for this is called enriching a Series.

* 1.20 Some Medals are of a fine Gold, much purer, and of a better colour than ours; some of a mixt, paler, and of a baser allay, which were current in the time of Alexander Severus, who permitted them to have one part in five allay. Lastly, some of a Gold notoriously adulterated, and such as we discover in certain Gothick Medals: Ne∣vertheless it must be observed, That that permission of using that allay, has not hindred the Medals of Severus, and those Princes that succeeded him, even in the lower Empire, to be commonly of a Gold as pure and fine as that in the time of Au∣gustus, the Standard being not properly adulterated, but in those Gothick pieces.

The Gold of the Old Greek Medals is extreme pure, which may be judged of by Philip of Macedon's, and Alexander the Great's, which is of 23 Carats and 16 Grains, as M. Patin, (one of the most fa∣mous Antiquaries of our Age) tells us.

He has laid an Eternal Obligation upon the World, for having inspired a-new into the Learned, the Esteem and Love of Me∣dals, and facilitating the understanding them, by the many brave Discourses he has publish'd in order to unfold their My∣steries.

The Gold of the Upper Empire is also very fine, and of the same alloy with that of the Greeks; that is, of as high a Stan∣dard as it can admit, and be tractable. For our present Refiners prefer it to the Gold of Sequins and Ducats: And in the time of Bodinus, some Goldsmiths of Paris having melted down a Golden Vespasian, found but a 788^th part of Embasement; so small was the proportion of alloy in it.

It must be remembred also, that the Ro∣mans used no Gold before the 546^th year of Rome, that so you may not be decei∣ved, when you meet with any before that time: And so likewise when you meet with any Medal of the Kings or Consuls before that time, all you have to do, is to conclude it a Counterfeit.

* 1.21 Silver Medals came into use in the 448^th year of Rome; there is a far greater quantity of them than of the Gold; but their Silver is not so fine, especially the Ancient ones, till Septimius Severus his time. For the Curious have observed by melting

them, that the Romans coined all their Gold Medals of what was pure, but their Sil∣ver is one degree inferior to our Money, since in the very times of the Consuls the best were worth but 25 Franks the Mark, and that too at the highest price, which if it had been fine, would have been at above Thirty: Notwithstand∣ing which, the Silver of those Medals that were coined before Septimius Severus, is ac∣counted fine, in comparison of them which we have from thence till the Reign of Constantine, which is but coarse and mixed. It is commonly called* 1.22 Leton, and is found from the beginning of the Upper Empire; witness certain Medals of Nero, and the like.

* 1.23 Some are to be seen of a† 1.24 base Metal that have little or no Silver in them, as since Gallienus: Not that one shall meet with no good Silver after that time, for it is easy to prove the contrary till Theodosius his time, or thereabouts; but after Gallienus, there is more of this base Metal than of right Silver.

* 1.25 Some are stamp'd upon mere Copper, and afterwards wash'd over with Silver, such are found after the Posthumi: And such also are purposely made to compleat a Silver series with some Heads that are hard to be procured in that Metal.

* 1.26 Lastly, there are some that are plated

and their Copper is only covered with a thin leaf of Silver, but very exactly stamp'd together, so that it cannot be discovered but by cutting it. This is a sort of false Money that had its Rise in the Triumvirate of Augustus, and is an infallible proof of the Antiquity of the Medal, as also of the Rarity: Since as M. Morel, whom we shall have occasion to make Honourable mention of very often in this Work, tells us, That so soon as the Cheat was disco∣vered, their Stamps were broke, and the sort cried down.

* 1.27 All Copper Medals in the distinction of sets which compose Cabinets, have the honour to be called Brass: Nevertheless a difference is made between these two Me∣tals by them that speak exactly, as it is done by Savot.* 1.28

Several Medals of Red Copper are to be seen in Augustus his time, especially amongst those we call the Middle Copper.

* 1.29 Also several of Yellow Copper of the same time, amongst the Great Copper as well as the Middle.

Some true Brass may be seen, whose co∣lour is incomparably finer than that of the others.

* 1.30Some there are which pass for Corinthian Brass, which is a mixture of Gold and Sil∣ver, with Brass in much greater proporti∣on; so because at the taking of Corinth,

the City being fired, and given over to Plunder, the several Metals that were melted there, running in low places, form∣ed a casual mixture, which has retained the name of that sackt City: And the Medals of it obtain the same Beauty and Price, as the Corinthian Vessels among those of common Copper.

I have a Livia under the Image of Piety, an Antonia, and an Hadrian, which seem to me to be of it. But our Masters pretend, that this was never used for Medals; and I have not Authority enough to form a new Tradition: Tho' it seems to agree with Reason, That what was cast into Vessels, might as well serve to make Medals, since they Engraved the Images of their Prin∣ces even upon Precious Stones.

Savot,* 1.31 who, beyond all other Antiqua∣ries, has treated most curiously of the di∣stribution of Metals in Money, has a Chap∣ter expresly concerning Corinthian Brass, of which he makes three sorts; the first is, in which the Gold predominates; the second in which the Silver; the third in which the Gold, Silver, and Brass are in equal quantities. He pretends to prove from the words of Pliny, That the true Corinthian Brass was imitated by mixing those three Metals, because he mentions a certain melting which he calls Rationem fundendi aris pretiosi; at the same time he owns

what Experience has taught us, That after divers Essays made upon Medals, thought to be of that Brass, in dissolving them it was never possible to separate one single grain of Gold, either by Fire, or Aqua∣fortis.

* 1.32Lastly, there are Medals of two diffe∣rent Coppers, that are not at all mixt; but one enchases only the other, and are both stamp'd with the same Dye: Such are some Ancient Medaillons of Commodus, and Hadrian, and some which otherwise would be but of the great or middle Copper. It may be observed, That the Letters of the Legend are sometimes on both the Medals, and sometimes only on the innermost, to which the first Circle serves but for a Bor∣der.

* 1.33Some Leaden Medals are to be met with, in which you must take great care you be not imposed upon, they being for the most part Modern, and of no value; whereas the Ancient Leaden ones are the most Cu∣rious. I have seen some at Avignon of M. Rostagny's, who prized them at a high rate: And t'other day was shewn me a Tigranes, which was undoubtedly Anci∣ent, and whiter, and harder than our Lead.

I know that several of our Antiquaries will hardly agree we have any old Lead Medals; but if they will absolutely deny

the Romans ever used such, they will find a great difficulty in Answering those Au∣thors that speak of them; as Plautus, Mar∣tial, and others. If they pretend that the Money called by them, Nummi Plumbei, was Brass mixed with Lead, Savot will make it appear, That that mixture is not found before the Reign of Septimius Seve∣rus; for in the Essays he has made of the most Ancient Medals, he never found one grain of Lead in any before that time: And the Au∣thors we quote concerning this sort of Mo∣ney, lived a great while before Septimius Severus.

I have nothing at all to say of certain Copper Medals gilt over, which may be found in Cabinets, and are but Medals spoiled by some Young Novices, who under∣stand not the value of things; like those that make an Estimate of the person by his Habit, and the Man by his good Fortune.

* 1.34Neither will I speak of Iron amongst the Metals we find Medals of: Not that I am ignorant of what Caesar tells us of some people in Great Britain, that made use of such Money, and that the same thing happened in some Cities of Greece: Besides I know, Savot has reported, That Ro∣man Money hath been found which was at∣tracted by the Magnet: But it is easy to see, these were only plated Me∣dals, and such as we have a great many

of at this day, both of the time of the Commonwealth, and the Empire; that is, they were either of Iron, or Brass laid over with a thin Silver Plate, which the craft of the false Coiners in those Ages passed off for Good money. Of this I shall yet farther speak in another place, where shall be shewn the way endeavour∣ed to remedy it.

These several Metals form but Three sorts of series's in Cabinets: That of Gold, which is the least numerous, not exceed∣ing a Thousand or Twelve hundred in Imperials: That of Silver, which is much more Numerous, having above Three thousand in Imperial Medals only: And that of Copper, which yet goes farther; for, comprehending the Three different sizes, it amounts to more than Six or Se∣ven Thousand: I only reckon the Impe∣rial; for should I take in those of Kings and Cities, they might almost be Num∣berless: It's well known that Wolfangus Lazius, a German Physician, who had fra∣med a vast design of giving us all the Me∣dals he had ever seen, raised the Number of them so high, that he made it incredible; so that from the 700000 he talks of, some would not only cut off the last Cipher; but think they ought to be yet more favour∣able to him; the first Table he has cau∣sed to be Engraven, not promising to go on to 7000.

For my part, I doubt not, but by sepa∣rating the Metals and Sizes, and taking in all we can find of Ancient and Modern, both in Money and Counters, we may go much beyond what is commonly imagined, if an estimate may be made by what we find in the furnish'd Cabinets.

All that hath been said concerning the matter of Medals, is only to be understood of the ordinary Medals that were current amongst the Greeks and Romans; who reduced their Money to Three prin∣cipal Metals, Gold, Silver, and Brass; from whence it was that the Mint-masters only made use of those to denote the power their Office gave them; and expressed them after this manner. III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F. That is, Triumvir Auro, argento, aere, flando, feriundo.

And if, upon some extraordinary occa∣sions, necessity obliged them for want of Metal to use some baser matter, as Earth Baked, Bark of Trees, Pastboard, small Stones, and the like, on which they im∣printed some mark, it must be rather looked upon as a pledge of payment, than current Money. The Curious will find enough in Savo•• to give them satisfaction in this matter, and may learn there, Quid distent aera Lupinis.

INSTRUCTION III.

Of the Different Sizes that form the several series's in the same Metals, of Gold, Sil∣ver, and Copper.

IT doth not appear the Ancients Coined any Medals that came near to some of the Modern, especially of this Age, either in Thickness or Circumfe∣rence; the Size and Relief it self of their small Medals, being for the most part much less, whereas that of their Money is much larger than ours. The size there∣fore of all Medals, is commonly from three Inches Diameter, to a quarter of an Inch, whether of Gold, Silver, or Brass, which were the principal Metals to which the Mintmasters confined themselves, being called from thence, III. VIRI aere, argento, auro flando feriundo, as has been said already.

* 1.35I call those small Medals, that were not current Money, but were Coined as pub∣lick Monuments to be scattered among the people in Ceremonies, Plays, or Triumphs; or to present Ambassadors and Foreign Princes with. These Pieces were called by the Romans, Missilia; and the Italians at this day call them Medaglioni, a name that we have borrowed for our Medals

when they are above the common bigness. They might as well be divided into differ∣ent Orders as the Copper, if the series's could be compleated; but that can never be accomplished, even by mixing of Me∣tals and Sizes: Therefore they are placed in the chief place of Cabinets, and no one was ever known to contain above five or six hundred, not even his Majesty's, or any other Princes in Europe. Yet M. Morel,* 1.36 in the Project he has given us of his great Work (of which we shall speak in ano∣ther place) promises to Engrave us above a thousand that he has procured from several Cabinets he has seen. This extraordinary person is now the glory of Antiquaries, and deserves to be as greatly beloved for his Probi∣ty, Candor, and Integrity, as to be ad∣mired for his Genius, Industry, and Ap∣plication, which exceeds all we can imagine as to what relates to Medals. In fine, He is a person in whom nothing will be wanting when God shall give him the Right Faith, and make him truly to understand the Catholick Religion.

* 1.37There is a sort of Medaillons called Contur∣niate, from an Italian word shewing the manner after which they are Coined; to wit, with a certain depression all about, which forms a ring on each side, and with Figures that have scarce any Relief in comparison of

true Medaillons. I believe this sort of work had its beginning in Greece, where it was chiefly used to honour great mens Memory, and the Victors in their publick Exercises. Such are those that remain of Homer, Solon, Euclid, Pythagoras, Socrates, Apollonius Tyaneus, and several Champions, whose Vi∣ctories are signified by Palms, and Chariots, and sometimes by two or four Horses.

It is not very certain when they first began to be Coined: For tho' some Learn∣ed Antiquaries say, not till after Theodosius; yet the Work, and the Effigies of the first Emperors stamped upon them, seem to convince us, that they were made in the Upper Empire. For there are some of Nero, Trajan, Alexander Severus, and some others, whose Memory it was no body's in∣terest to renew in the Lower Empire, and under Christian Princes. And this appears yet more probable in relation to those Champions, whose names signified very lit∣tle to Posterity to be preserved by so so∣lemn a restauration.

* 1.38Silver Medaillons are more easy to be found, and very handsome Sets may be composed of them; not indeed of Empe∣rors, but of Kings and Cities; as the Kings of Syria, which M. Vailant has given us, and the Kings of Egypt he is now about; those of Macedonia, and others. Nevertheless private persons must not

hope to have them compleat, the greatest Princes being scarce able to come at them.

* 1.39Gold Medaillons are so rare, that it is impossible to collect any number of them: It is sufficient to place them in the Front of a Gold or Silver series of Medals to grace the Cabinet. I have formerly seen at Mr. Carcavi's, who then was Keeper of the Medals, two extraordinary fine ones of Commodus in his Majesty's Cabinet, ranked with other Medaillons of a different Metal.

* 1.40But 'tis not so with Medals of Copper: For there is so large a quantity of them, they are divided into three different big∣nesses, which form the three different series's that adorn Cabinets, the great, the middle, and the little Copper. The Rank that every one is to hold, is judged of by its size, which comprehends the close ness and extension of the Medal, the bulki∣ness and relief of the head: So that that Medal which has the thickness of the large Copper, and but the head of the middle, shall be of the second size. Such another that is but thin, if its head be large enough, shall be ranked among those of the first magnitude. The inclination of the Curious goes a great way in it; for those that are given to the great, admit of several Medals into that order, when indeed they are but of the middle Copper; and those that love the middle, rank some amongst them that

belong to the large, especially to supply some heads that are hard to be found. Thus Otho, Antonia, Drusus, and Germanicus of the middle Copper, are placed among the great; and those of the little size with the middle Copper.

Each of these Degrees has its Commen∣dation; the first, which is the great size excels in neatness, strong Relief, and the fine Historical Monuments wherewith the Reverses are charged, and shine in all their beauty. The second, which is the middle Copper, is considerable for its Multitude, and rarity of its Reverses, and particularly by reason of the infinite number of Greek and Latin Colonies which are scarce ever found on the larger Copper. The third, which is the small Copper, is esteemed from the great necessity of it in the Lower Em∣pire, where the other two sizes fail, and whenever found are counted Medaillons.

* 1.41For you must know, to save a great deal of useless trouble, that the com∣pleat set of the large Copper goes not be∣low the Posthumi, Medals of this size being very rarely found in the Lower Empire. Those that we have after Anastasius, have neither a sufficient thickness, relief, or bulkiness of the head. But without pas∣sing beyond the Posthumi, the set, as I have told you, may be carried on to above two thousand.

* 1.42The order of the middle Copper is the most easy to be found of any; and is the compleatest, because it not only reaches the Posthumi, but goes on to the destructi∣on of the Roman Empire in the West, and in that of the East even to the Paleologi. It is hard indeed to find all after Heraclius's time, without some interruptions of the Set now and then. But I believe this hap∣pens from the small care that has been taken to preserve them, by reason of their bad make. Nothing shews the desolation of the Empire more than the Universal loss of all good Arts, which appears in this of Engraving, which is no more than a mise∣ble scratching of the Metal.

* 1.43The order of the little Copper is also very easy to be formed in the Lower Em∣pire, for they are to be had from the P••sthumi quite down to the Paleologi, with whom the Empire of the Greeks ended. But from Julius to the Posthumi, it is very hard to supply them; and from Theodosius to the Paleologi it is absolutely impossible without the aid of Gold and Silver, and even of some of the middle Copper. For this series is but like that of M. Du Cange,* 1.44 the greatest Historian of the Age, who has given us that admirable succession after Constantine, in his Book of the Families he calls Byzantine, because they came not to the Empire till after the Foundation of

Constantinople, of which Constantine made a new Rome.

A compleat series then ought not to be expected, either in any particular Metal or bigness; neither for that end to spoil them should different Metals be intermixt; but however, it is permitted, for the satisfa∣ction of those who desire to have the com∣pleatest Sets, to mix the small Copper with the Middle, thereby to see the Occurrences from the ruin of the Roman Common∣wealth, which lost its liberty under Julius Caesar, almost without any considerable in∣terruption, to the last Greek Emperors, who were dethroned by the Turks in the Year 1450. so that this series of Medals traces out to us the History of Sixteen Ages, that is to say, Sixteen hundred years.

* 1.45The small care the Emperors took of their Medals after the three first Centuries, may be very well admired. For after that time, we find not one footstep of the Roman Majesty; there being none but little Me∣dals without Relief, or Thickness, till Theodosius's time; and after the Division of the Empire when he died, nothing but Mi∣sery and Poverty. No more curious Heads or Reverses, the Characters, Language, Figures, and Legend all barbarous; so that no body troubled themselves to collect them, and they are thereby become almost as scarce, as they are deformed.

The Curiosity of Medals, as well as that of Pictures, was not revived till the Fif∣teenth Age; that is to say, since 1400. having been buried with the Sad Remains of the Roman Majesty near 1000 years: And then it was only by the care of certain Painters,* 1.46 of whom were Pisani, and Bolduc, that e're it appear'd again with any considerable design and re∣lief: Such as that of Ferdinand King of Arragon in 1449. and that of John Em∣peror of Constantinople, ten years before it. After this they began to Coin the same in Gold; such is that of the Council of Florence, which is in his Majesty's Cabinet: And that of Paul the Second's publick Consistory, where the Curious begin the Modern; no Modern Medal being Coined in the pre∣ceding Ages.

INSTRUCTION IV.

Of the several Heads found upon Medals, and how they form Sets.

IN all perfect Medals there are two sides to be considered, that contribute to their Beauty and Rarity; that which is called the Head, and the Other the Reverse. That of the Head determines the sets, whe∣ther it be a Head of a person; as a God's, a King's, a Hero's, a Philosopher's, a Champion's, or any other thing taking up that place, which is still called the Head; be it an Image, a Name, or any publick Monument, whose Inscription is on the other side.

* 1.47I have said, that these two sides are to be found in imperfect Medals, because there are some that have no Reverse at all; But it is an infallible mark that those are mo∣dern, unless they were not stampt, as some such we meet with. Such is a Caesario which I have seen, the Son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. Such a certain Medaillon of Julius Caesar, which I have also seen in the chiefest place of a Cabinet, that shewed the Master of it to be more Rich than he was Skilful, and very fit to be made the Property of some selfish Antiquary. There

are some also that have no Head (that is to say) of Persons, which yet for all that are very Good and Ancient. Such are those of the Mint masters of Augustus, where there is nothing but his name, Augustus Tribun. Pot. Those of Vitellius, where there is but of One side only, Fides exerci∣tuum, with two Hands joined; and on the Other, Concordia Praetorianorum, with a Figure in Reverse, and the like.

Of these several Heads are formed Five Different Orders of Medals, whereof may be composed very curious Series's. In the first we may put the Series of Kings. In the second that of Cities, either Greek or Latin, before or since the Foundation of the Roman Empire. In the third may be ranged the Roman Consular Families. In the fourth the Imperial, and all that relate to them. In the fifth the Deities, of which we may have very agreable Series's, either in simple Bust, or else in their full propor∣tion, and cloathed with all their qualities and symbols. Some Heroes and Illustrious Persons are seen yet preserved on Medals, as Homer, Pythagoras, and certain Greek and Roman Captains, &c.

* 1.48In the first Order, which is that of Kings, the Series's may be made very fine, and nu∣merous, by mixing of Metals among them; for we have a great many Greek Medals of this kind. M. Vaillant,* 1.49 One of the most

Understanding men of our Age in the knowledge of Ancient Medals, has pub∣lished some few years ago the Kings of Sy∣ria, whereof he has composed a History, embellished with a thousand Curious Re∣marks. He has collected an Entire Suc∣cession from Seleucus the First, called Ni∣cator, down to Antiochus XIII. of that Name, called Epiphanes, Philopater, Calli∣nicus, and known by the Title of Asiaticus, and Comagenus. That is, he has included the Reigns of 27 Kings, which amount to above 250 years. For Seleucus began his Reign about the Year 312. and the last An∣tiochus finish'd his about the Year 75. be-before the Birth of our Saviour. There are near 120 Medals in this Series engraven, and explained with a great deal of Acura∣cy, of which there is now a considerable number in our King's Cabinet.

The same M. Vaillant is ready to give us the Aegyptian Kings, of whom he has made a most Admirable Collection. He has besides these a considerable number of particular Kings Heads, whose Medals he has found, and designs to make a separate Work of them, which will be very enter∣taining.

* 1.50The Macedonian Kings have coined Me∣dals yielding in nothing to the most Excel∣lent Workmanship of the Romans. There are a good number of them in the King's Ca∣binet.

The Kings of Pontus, Bithynia, Cap∣padocia, Thracia, Parthia, Numidia, Arme∣nia, Judea, &c. joined all together, with∣out doubt would compose a Set, giving us Notices of things most Rare and Historical.

* 1.51Some Medals of the Gothick Kings are come down to us, that have good Reliefs, and are beautiful both in Copper and Silver. As those of Athanarick, Theodate, those of Wittiges, Totila, Baduela, Teïa, Attila, and the like. There are also some of Gold, but the Gold is very pale and base: M. Patin says there is not above a fourth part pure in them: Some are called Gothick, whose Heads have scarce a Human form, and bear no Inscription; or if they do, 'tis in such Characters, that hitherto are unknown to Antiquaries: As are those likewise that are called Phoenician, of which I shall say no∣thing here, nor of those Spanish ones that are truly stiled Medallas Desconnocidas, whereof no body yet has thought fit to compose a Series.

* 1.52We also find some of our Ancient Kings of France, that the Eastern Emperors per∣mitted to make Money after their Coin and Name; on which, as an acknowledgment, they set the Head of the Emperor, into whose Alliance or Adoption they were en∣tred. These Medals are particularly of the times of Justin, and Justiniau, in the Sixth Century. M. Du Cange has caused some

of Theodobert, Childerick, and Clothair, to be engraven, on which he has made a Learned Dissertation in his Joinville.* 1.53

* 1.54In the second Order, which is that of Cities, there are enow found to make con∣siderable Series's; for of Greek Cities only may be collected above 200.

* 1.55Goltzius, who seems to have done it with a great deal of Application, and Acuracy, (for he looked upon them not only as an Embellishment, but as proofs of his Histo∣ry) has composed a large Volume of them, wherein is a world of useful Matters to be learnt, as also the means laid down how to understand the different Representations of those Medals, insomuch that he seems as if he was unwilling to give himself the further trouble of explaining them more distinctly. We have them in the Year 1618. engraven by Goltzius himself, and repaired, and print∣ed by James de Bie at Antwerp, in above 100 Tables, and placed before the two Tomes of the same Goltzius's Greek History. The first contains Magna Graecia, and Sicily; the second Greece, and the Isles thereof, with part of Asia. The greatest grief of the Antiquaries is, that they have lost the best part of Goltzius's Medals, and that of the 30 Provinces, into which he had divi∣ded the whole Series, there remains but five of them, and those too are the least, viz. Colcis, Capadocia, Galatia, P••ntus and Bi∣thynia.

Nevertheless there are still enow to make a Series of above 250 Medals, if we will intermix different Metals with them, besides what hath been discovered since that time.

* 1.56I think my self obliged here in this place to speak somewhat very briefly touching the Reputation of Goltzius among the An∣tiquaries, with whom he passes for a man not very Exact, nor very Faithful, and that pretends to Medals which never yet had a being. So that his destiny is much-what the same with that of Pliny's among the Naturalists, whom all the World admires, and yet no body believes. But at the same time to justify both, I hope it will be suffici∣ent to tell you, first, That this Learned En∣graver could gain nothing by imposing ei∣ther upon his own, or succeeding Ages. Se∣condly, That we discover every day some of those Medals, pretended to have been made designedly by Goltzius, as we daily discover those Wonders of Nature, which were lookt upon but as pleasant Fancies and Imaginations, related by Pliny upon the Credit of some People, to whom he had paid too great a deference.

* 1.57Those that are lovers of the Ancient Geo∣ography, may compose with the Medals of Colonies, a different Set from the former, very copious, pleasant and easy, by the means of those assistances we now have

both to form, and throughly understand it. I speak of those Cities to which the Romans sent their own Citizens, either to people them by easing their Mother-City, and re∣compencing the old Soldiers belonging to it; or else in building them a-new, and endow∣ing them with the Privileges of Roman Citizens, or of the Latin Country, called jus Civitatis, or jus Latii. These Towns still kept the name of Colonia, or Munici∣pium, were they either in Greece, or else∣where; for the Greeks looked on the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as Sacred, adopting it through re∣spect into their Language.

The number of them would be yet more considerable, if all the Cities that have coin∣ed Medals in their name were added to these, without minding whether they were Imperial or no; Greek or Latin: But then, to satisfy one's Curiosity, the Reverse of the Imperial Medals must be the Head in this Series, and the Head of the Emperor only considered as it were by Accident.

* 1.58Father Hardouin has mightily pleased himself in labouring upon Pliny; he has put out a New Edition of it, which is a Master-piece, and the Effect of a Genius born for the Sciences, with a penetration as easy, as it is quick and profound; and a most happy gift of Conjecture, with a Reading that exceeds imagination, and the fidelity of a surprizing Memory that repre∣sents

at the Critical time whatever it had been entrusted with. This Learned Father, I say, has compiled a separate Volume of those People, and Cities, whose memory is preserved upon Medals. He has collected several thousands of them, which he touches so ingeniously, that I cannot refuse giving him a Testimony, which mere truth extorts from me; and that is, That there is not one Page in his Treatise wherein we find not Erudition, and some Curious matter worthy to be learned, which is not easily to be met with in any other place, and which gives occasion to a great many fine discoveries that create a wonderful plea∣sure to the Learned. Nothing would have been wanting in this Work, could he have found time to have seen all those Medals he makes mention of, and had taken the pains to explain the Symbols and Reverses of All, as he has of a great many.

* 1.59This M. Vaillant hath done in the Two Volumes he has printed of the Latin Colo∣nies, with a Success that has answered his Labour. Nothing can be more useful for the understanding of Medals, since he has scarce omitted any thing that can be said on the several Figures of the Colonies he has given us, and caused them to be en∣graven with the utmost care, which gives them clear another Grace than Simple De∣scriptions. Without doubt it will be an

Immortal Work, if he will vouchsafe to give us the Greek Colonies with the same Acuracy, of which he has made a most admirable and ample Collection. The Count Mezza Barba has desired it of him for his Second Tome of Occo augmented, which in all likelihood, will never be pub∣lished, at least in its perfection, unless he find some such equal Assistance from a Man that like him has knowledge of all the best Cabinets in France, Italy, and other Coun∣tries, where these noble Monuments of Antiquity are preserved.

We must not forget to tell you, that the Heads of Medals belonging to Cities, are most commonly the Genius of the Place it self, or else of some other Deity there ado∣red, as is easy to be seen by those of Golt∣zius.

* 1.60The Consular Medals make a large Series in the Third Order, and amount to twelve or fifteen Hundred. There is little of Cu∣riosity in it, either for the Legend or Fi∣gures, unless in those that were Coined af∣ter the Declension of the Republick, which naturally ought to begin the Imperial Se∣ries. Before that time this sort of Medals was only Stampt with the Armed Head of Rome, or with some Deity; and the Re∣verse was a Triumphal Chariot drawn by two or four Horses.

* 1.61Indeed towards the Sixth Century of Rome, Mint-masters took the liberty to place the Heads of Famous Persons that had been in their own Families upon Me∣dals, either under their proper Figures, or that of some Deity, to whose protecti∣on the Family was committed. This they did till the Fall of the Commonwealth, and then they began to put on the Heads of Julius Caesar, the Conspirators that kill'd him, the Triumvirs that invaded the So∣vereign Power, and all those that had af∣terwards any share in the Government. For till those unhappy times no Man was suffered to set his own Head upon the Money, that privilege being accounted an Attendant upon Royalty, which was before that time, infinitely odious to them.

Therefore when you find upon the Con∣sular Medals, the Heads of Romulus and Remus, and the first Roman Kings, those of Scipio, Metellus, Lucullus, Regulus, Cal∣dus, or the like, you must not conclude that they were Coined in their Reigns; since in the time of the Kings, for instance, Silver Money was not in use; but some of their Descendants, being in the Office of Mint-masters, caused them to be Coined in honour to themselves, and to be Eternal Monuments of their Nobility.

You are further to be informed, before we have done with Consular Medals; that although they are almost All of Silver, and of the third Size, because they were the Roman Deniers, Quinarii or Sesterces; yet there are some of all Metals, and Copper ones of all the three Sizes; but with this difference, that we scarce know above 50 or 60 in Gold, and about 250 in Copper, whereas we have near 1000 in Silver. The first Collection of which, Fulvius Ʋrsinus has engraven, and it has been considerably increased by M. Patin; and since him a great many more have been discovered, that de∣serve very well a new Edition to be made of them.

All this presupposed, the Series of Fa∣milies may be made two ways. * 1.62The first, so as Ʋrsinus has done it, by placing the Names of the several Families found upon Medals in Alphabetical Order; setting all those that seem to be of the same House together. This way indeed may not be so pleasing, but it is the real and true way. * 1.63 The second, as Goltzius has done it, by the Fasti of the Consuls, placing under every Year the Medals of the Consuls. This se∣cond way is very handsome and learned; but the misfortune is, it has nothing but Shew and Appearance, and in truth can ne∣ver be performed. First, because we have no Medals of the first Consuls from the

Year 244 to 484. which forced Goltzius to give you only their Names, as they are found in the Fasti. Secondly, From that time down to the Empire of Augustus, those Medals that he has put, were never Coin∣ed either by the Consuls, or for those Consuls whose Names they bear; but on∣ly by the Mint-masters, who being of the same Family, were desirous to preserve their own, or their Ancestor's Names.

* 1.64 in orderIt was necessary to observe this, to correct the Error of young beginners, who imagine that they are called Consular Medals, because they were Coined by the Consuls themselves, who yearly entred in∣to that Office; when in truth this Name was only given them, because they were Coined in the time when the Common∣wealth was governed by Consuls.

* 1.65We will now speak of the Imperial Me∣dals which compose our fourth Order, and where we may find all the Heads that are necessary to make the Series of the Empe∣rors compleat till our time. The Ancient are the most esteemed; and among the Ancient, those of the Higher Empire, which are from between Julius Caesar, and the Thirty Tyrants inclusively. Yet there are some, and those not a few, that are very well stamped, and likewise very scarce, down to the Family of Constantine the Great, when that was all rare and curi∣ously

ended, as we shall observe more par∣ticularly in another place. Occo,* 1.66 a German Physician of Ausbourg, hath given us the first Description of them from the Year 1580, or 81, printed at Antwerp; and the number of Medals he collected encreasing every day upon his hands, caused him to put out a Second Edition at Ausbourg in the Year 1601. which is the best. The Count Mezza Barba de Birague,* 1.67 a Gentle∣man of Pavia, has put out a Third Editi∣on, wherein he has added several thou∣sands: We should have been very happy, had he seen and described the Medals them∣selves, and not been obliged to trust to Catalogues and Descriptions that were sent him, and are not often very faithful.

M. Patin has not only been at the trou∣ble of collecting a great many of them,* 1.68 but has engraven all his middle Copper ones, and has endeavoured to explain them more amply and successfully than all that have gone before him. He brings them down as low as the Emperor Heraclius, having undertaken this noble Work at the importunity of the Count de Brienne, Se∣cretary of State, of whom he afterwards bought the Cabinet, which Monsieur Col∣bert re-purchased for the King, who had till that time no Other than what was left him by the last Duke of Orleans. We have already said, That by joyning the Remains

of the Lower Empire, and the Greek Em∣perors to these, a Series of Copper ones may be carried on even to the Emperors of the West, and down to our Days, by the help of Modern Medals, of which we shall speak further somewhere else.

* 1.69We have made a fifth Order of Deities, because the World begins to have a value for the Series of them, by reason of the great Satisfaction that is found in observing their different Names, Symbols, Temples, Altars, and Countries where they were worshipped. A good Copper Series may be formed of them, by means of the Gre∣cian Cities, which furnish us with very large quantities of them; but the noblest and most pleasing, is that of Silver, which the Medals of Families supply us with; and there are a great many of them in the King's Cabinet. Now both Metals might be carried on much further if we would but borrow Imperial Reverses, where the Deities are much better represented than on those of Families, not only because they have their several Titles there, but also be∣cause they are commonly represented at their full Length, so that we may see their Arms, Accoutrements, Symbols, and the Cities where they have been more particu∣larly worshiped. It was after this manner I had formerly begun, and had collected above four hundred of them, but I found

I had not stock enough at the same time to maintain my Imperial Series, which was thereby much weakened.

* 1.70I have thought upon a sixth Order to be composed, and that should be of all the Il∣lustrious Persons, whose Medals we have; such as the Founders of Cities and Repub∣licks, Bizas, Tomus, Nemausus, Taras, &c. Smyrna, Amastris, &c. Of Queens, Cleopa∣tra, Zenobia, &c. Of the most famous Law∣givers, Lycurgus, Zeleucus, Pittacus, Pytha∣goras, Archimedes, Euclid, Hipocrates, Chry∣sippus, Homer, and the like, Wise and Learned Men; for most certainly, it would be a great satisfaction to see a good Series of these Heroes, which would needs reach very far.

* 1.71I will conclude this Instruction with say∣ing, That when several Heads are found on the same side of the Medal, it becomes then much more Rare and Curious, be they either placed Face to Face, as those of M. Aurelius and Verus,* 1.72 of Macrinus and Diadumenianus, and the like; or be they joyned Neck to Neck,* 1.73 as that of Nero and Agrippina; Mark Antony and Cleopatra, &c. But they are yet much Rarer when they have three Heads on them, as those of Va∣lerian betwixt his two Sons, Gallienus, and Valerian the younger. That of Otacilla with her Husband and Son, &c.

INSTRUCTION V.

Of the several Reverses that render Medals more or less Beautiful and Curious.

IF I had not tied my self up by profes∣sing to instruct a young Beginner, (to whom every thing is new) in the History of Medals; I would not have concern'd my self about explaining to him the seve∣ral States of them, before they attained to that perfection in which we find them in the Age of Augustus, and almost down as low as to that of Constantine. But since, I ought to instruct a Person that is desirous to learn, he ought also to be told, That among the Romans, and all over Italy, (for now we only pretend to speak of that Country) their Medals, or rather their Moneys, were a long time not only without Reverses,* 1.74 but also without any mark at all; so that the first Money used in Rome, was but of plain Copper, and without any Impression upon it till the time of King Servius Tullus,* 1.75 who caused them first to be stamped with the Image of an Oxe, a Sheep, or Hog; at which time it began to be called Pecunia à pecude.

I don't design by this Discourse to strike at the Ancient Tradition, which tells us,

That Janus reigning in Italy 700 Years be∣fore the Foundation of Rome, stamped the first Money, putting upon it a Crown, a Bridge, or a Boat; of which three he was the Inventer, and introduced their use in∣to his Country. However I know very well, that this Tradition is not absolutely certain, since several People in Europe af∣firm we are beholden to Saturn for the use of Money, and that it was he who retiring to Janus into Latium, taught him to put a Stamp upon it, as also to Till the Ground; and that in acknowledgment of this kind∣ness,

—Bona posteritas puppim signavit in Aere, Hospitis adventum testificata Dei.

But however it happened, in these first dark times, as there was no other Head than that of Janus upon the Latin Money; or as others say, That of Janus and Saturn joyned together by the hinder Parts; so also was there no other Reverse than the Prow of a Ship. This continued till the Romans, who had made themselves Masters of all Italy, near five hundred Years after the building of Rome, began to Coin Money of Gold and Silver, under the Consulate of C. Fabius Pictor, and Quintus Ogulnius Gallus, five years before the first Punick War, and CDXXCIV from the building

of the City. This is the first Year they Coined Silver, for Gold they did not till 62 years after.

In those happy times when the Common∣wealth flourished, they began to beautify and perfect their Medals, both as to the Head and the Reverse.

* 1.76The Head of Rome, and the Deities suc∣ceeded Janus's, and the first Reverses were either Castor and Pollux on Horseback, or a Victory driving a Chariot with two or four Horses; from whence the Roman De∣niers were called Victoriati, Bigati, Qua∣drigati, according to the Reverses, as they were before named Ratiti from the Ship Ratis.

Soon after, the Mint-masters, who by their Employments were become Masters of the Money, began to Stamp it with their own Names and Titles, and to grave thereon the Monuments of their own Fa∣milies; insomuch, that we find Medals stuff'd with the marks of Magistracies, Priesthoods, and Triumphs of their Ance∣stors, and even with some of their most glorious Actions; such is that of the Aemi∣lian Families, inscribed M. Lepidus Pont. Max. Tutor Regis. On which is to be seen Lepidus in a Consular Habit, putting a Crown upon the Head of young Ptolomy, whom the King his Father had left under the Guardianship of the City of Rome:

And on the other side is the Head of Alex∣andria, the Capital City of the Kingdom, where the Ceremony Alexandria was per∣formed. Such was another of the same Family, on which is the young Lepidus represented on Horseback bearing a Tro∣phy with this Inscription, M. Lepidus an∣norum XV. Praetextatus, hostem occidit, Civem servavit. Such, that in the Julian Fa∣mily, when Julius Caesar being as then but a private Man, and not daring to engrave his own Head, found out this devise, on one side to set the Image of an Elephant with the word Caesar, which equivocally signifies either that Beast's Name in the Phoenician Language, or his Own: and on the Reverse, in quality of Augur and Ponti∣fex, he caused to be engraven the Symbols of his Dignities,* 1.77 viz. the Sympulum, the Sprinkler, the Axe of the Victims, and Priest's Bonnets; as upon that which has the Head of Ceres, there is the Augur's Staff and Vessel. Such, lastly, is the Reverse in the Aquilian Family, where M. Aquilius, who defeated the Rebellious Slaves in Sicily, is represented in Armour, with a Shield on his Arm, trampling under-foot a Slave, with this word, Sicilia; and this by the careful ingenuity of some Mint-master of his Family.

* 1.78After this manner Medals became not only considerable for their Value as they

were Money, but Curious by the Monu∣ments of which they were the Deposito∣ries; until Julius Caesar making himself Master of the Republick, whereby, though under the disguised Name only of Perpetual Dictator, he obtained all the Marks of Gran∣deur and Power, and amongst others the privilege of Coining Money with his own Effigies and Name, and of giving it what Reverse he thought fit. By this means Me∣dals became loaded in time with all that Ambition on one side, and Flattery on the other, were capable of inventing to Im∣mortalize the Glory of the Princes, and the Acknowledgments of their Subjects. 'Tis this that makes them at this day Rare and Curious, because in them we meet with a thousand noble Events, whose Me∣mory very often is not preserved by Histo∣ry, which therefore is obliged to borrow from these undeniable Witnesses what she relates, and gives their Testimony in those matters that cannot be otherwise cleared up, but by the light she furnishes us with. As, for instance, we should never have known that the Son of Antoninus by Fau∣stina, was called Marcus Annius Galerius Antoninus, if we had not had a Greek Medal of that Princess,* 1.79 ΘΕΑ ΦΑΥϹΤΕΙΝΑ, and on the Reverse a Boy's head of 12 or 15 years old, Μ. ΑΝΝΙΟϹ ΓΑΛΕΡΙΟϹ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡΟϹ

ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟΥ ΥΙΟϹ Who would have known there had been a Tyrant na∣med Pacatianus,* 1.80 if his fine Medal did not tell us so? Or that Barbia Orbiana had been the Wife of Alexander Severus, or a hundred other things, for which we are obliged to the Curiosity of Antiqua∣ries.

* 1.81That a Person beginning to love Medals, may the better understand the Beauty and Value of Reverses, he must know, that there are several sorts of them. Some are charged with Figures or Personages, Others with Publick Monuments; Others have only Inscriptions,* 1.82 I mean on the Field of the Medal, not to confound them with the Inscriptions that go round about, which we shall distinguish by the Name of Le∣gends, and on which we shall bestow a particular Instruction. Several Greek and Latin Imperial Medals are found of this sort, which instead of a Reverse have only these Letters, S. C. Senatus Con∣sulto; or Δ. Ε. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, enclo∣sed with a Crown. Others bear a sort of Epocha,* 1.83 as primi Decennales. Cos. III. in M. Aurelius's time. In Augustus his, Imp. Caes. Aug. Ludi saecularis Votis V.X.XX, &c. in the Lower Empire. Others set forth great Occurences,* 1.84 as Victoria Germanica Imp. VI. Cos. III. in M. Aurelius. In Au∣gustus, Signis Parthicis receptis, S. P. Q. R.

Victoria Parthica maxima, in Sept. Severus. Others bear Titles of Honour granted to the Prince,* 1.85 as S. P. Q. R. Optimo Prin∣cipi in Trajan; and in Antoninus Pius. As∣sertori publicae Libertatis in Vespasian. O∣thers bear Marks of Acknowledgement, as to Vespasian Libertate P. R. restitutâ ex S. C. within a Crown.* 1.86 To Galba S. P. Q. R. Ob Cives servatos. To Augustus, Salus gene∣ris humani, &c.

* 1.87Some have a regard only to particular Benefits at certain times, or in certain places, with Vows made out of Grati∣tude, or for preservation of the Health of Princes that are most dear to the State. For instance, under Augustus, Jovi Optimo Maximo S. P Q. R. vota suscepta pro salute Imperat. Caesaris Aug. quod per eum Resp. in ampliore, atque tranquilliore statu est. Jovi vota suscepta pro salute Caes. Aug. S. P. Q. R. Imperatori Caesari quod viae munitae sint, ex ea pecunia quam is ad aerarium de∣tulit.

After the time that the Emperors of Constantine had quitted the Latin Language for the Greek in their Inscriptions, there is often found enough to puzzle a young Be∣ginner; such is the ΙϹΞϹ ΝΙΚΑ, ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΞΡΙϹΤΟϹ ΝΙΚΑΙ and the ΚΥΡΙΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΞΙΩΙΩΙ. ΔΕϹΡΟΤΗΙ ΠΟΡΦΥΡΟΓΕΝ ΝΗ∣ΤΩΙ. Deus adjuta Romanis is found upon

the Medals of Heraclius, which is what they would express by the ΒΟΗΘΕΙ, and would hardly be guest when wrote only by the Initial Letters. For the means to have known that C. LEON RAMV∣LΘ on the Medal of Constantinus Copro∣nymus, signifies Constantinus Leoni perpe∣tuo Augusto multos annos, would never have been discovered, had not Mons. Du Cange happily imagined it. The skilfullest have been at a stand at the ΚΕΒΟΗ ΔV∣ΛΟϹΟV, by being unacquainted with the Inscriptions we speak of. These sorts of Inscriptions may be called Acclamati∣ons or Benedictions consisting in wishing the Emperor Life, Health, and Victory. Such is that of Constantine, Plura Natali∣tia feliciter. Such that of Constans, Fe∣licia Decennalia. Such that of Theophilus, ΘΕΟΦΙΛΕ ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΕ ΤΥ ΝΙΚΑϹ. That of Baduela, BADVELA FLUREAS ZEMPER. This puts me in mind of a fine Medal of Antoninus Pius, which may well be placed amongst these Acclamations. Senatus Populusque Romanus annum novum, faustum, felicem Optimo Principi Pio; after this manner must the Initial Letters S. P. Q. R. A. N. F. F. Optimo Principi Pio be explained.

I believe by this little I have here given you, That the different Gusts of the An∣cient and Modern Medals may be well-enough

discerned I mean, as to Inscriptions. The Ancients thought Medals were not proper to bear Inscriptions, unless they were extremely Short and Expressive, reserving them that were long, for Publick Edi∣fices, Columns, Triumphal Arches, Tombs. Whereas, the modern Ones, par∣ticularly the Germans and Dutch, full∣charge the Reverses of their Medals with tedious Inscriptions that have nothing of the Roman Majesty, Purity, or Brevity.

Sometimes indeed the Names only of Magistrates are to be found upon them, as in the Julian, Q. Aemilius. Qu. Fabius Bucca IIII. vir. A. A. A. F. F. And in that of Agrippa, M. Agrippa Cos. desig∣natus.

The Names of Mint-masters, of which we have a great Number, are found upon several Medals; to which may be added all the Duumvirs of Colonies. The other Ma∣gistracies are oftener upon the Consular Medals, than upon the Imperial.

* 1.88Sometimes there is only the Name of some City or People, as Sego Briga. Caesar Augusta, Obulco. ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΚΥΠΡΙΩΝ.

* 1.89Sometimes only the Name of the Em∣peror, as Constantinus Aug. Constantinus Caesar, to his Son. Constantinus Nob. Caesar, &c. sometimes the Name only of Augu∣stus.

I have seen on the Reverse of a Constan∣tius Chlorus the single Ciphre VIXC. of which Monsieur Du Cange has only given us the simple Description,* 1.90 as he has in Constantius only the Monogramme of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

* 1.91M. I. K. are commonly found in the Lower Empire, which, I believe, are the Monogrammes of Maria, Jesus, and Constan∣tine; which may be presumed by the †† that accompany those Letters, and are Marks of the Piety of Constantine the Great his Successors, who had consecrated his New Rome to the Mother of God, and was himself honoured as a Saint all over the Empire.

We have also, at the same time, the Monogrammes of Cities, as that of Raven∣na, and some others, as may be seen in M. Du Cange. And on the Modern also are Monogrammes of Names, as Strada shews us since the time of Charlemain.

* 1.92The Number, Action, and Subject of the Figures or Personages on the Reverse, render them more or less Valuable and Rare. For as for the Ordinary Heads, which have only some single Figure on the Reverse, setting forth either some particu∣lar Vertue, for which the Person was com∣mendable; or else some particular Deity, to whom he paid his chiefest Devotions; these ought to be put amongst the number of Common Medals, because they carry no∣thing

of History in them that deserves to be enquired after.

* 1.93These single Figures we speak of, are to be distinguished from Heads, whose Reverses are sometimes crowded. For they being com∣monly the Heads either of Children, Wives, Collegues of the Empire, or Confederate Kings, 'tis a general Rule among all the Skilful in this Science, that Medals with two Heads are almost always Choice; as for instance, that of Augustus on the Reverse of Julius; Vespasian on the Reverse of Ti∣tus; Antoninus on the Reverse of Faustina; M. Aurelius on that of Lucius, &c. From whence it is easy to infer, that the more Heads are on it, the more Choice is the Medal. Such is a Nero on the Reverse of a Nero and Octavia; such a Severus on the Reverse of his two Sons, Geta and Caracalla; Philip on the Reverse of his Son and Wife; and Hadrian on that of Trajan and Plotina.

Therefore it is true, generally speaking, that the more Reverses are charged with Figures, the more they are to be valued, especially if they illustrate any Memorable Action. To give you some Instances hereof, The Medal of Trajan, Regna adsignata, where three Kings appear at the foot of a Theatre, on which is seen the Emperor crowning them.* 1.94 The Largest of Nerva hath five Figures, Congiar. P. R. S. C. An Allocation of Trajan, where are Seven Fi∣gures.

Another of Hadrian to the People, which hath Eight Figures without a Le∣gend. Another to the Soldiers, where there are Ten. A Medal of Faustina, Puellae Fausti∣nianae, where there are 12, or 13, &c. An Allocution of Probus, which has a dozen Figures. * * 1.95Vota Publica of Commodus, on which is Ten.

* 1.96As for Publick Monuments, without doubt they give a particular Grace and Beauty to the Reverses of Medals, especial∣ly when they declare to us some Historical Event. Thus the Temple of Janus in Ne∣ro, and the Port of Ostia are much Rarer than the Macellum, though the Structure of them is not so Noble; for one signifies the Universal Peace he gave to the Empire, Pace Pop. Rom. terrâ maríque partâ Janum clausit. Whereas the other teaches us no∣thing, unless it be, that he caused Shambles to be built for the Convenience and Ser∣vice of the Publick.

Among these Curious and Noble Mo∣numents we ought to place the Amphithea∣tre of Titus, his Naval Column, the Tem∣ple which was built Romae & Augusto; the Trophies of M. Aurelius and Commodus, &c. which are the first things known to the Curious.

* 1.97The different Animals that we find upon Reverses have also their Valuation, when they are extraordinary. Such are those that

were brought to Rome from Strange Coun∣tries to divert the People, principally in their Secular Games; or when they repre∣sent the Ensigns of the Legions that bore them.* 1.98 Thus we see the Legions of Gallie∣nus, some of them that carried a Porcupine. Others an Ibis, and others again a Pegasus. And the Medals of Philip, and Otacilla, Sae∣culares Augg. have on their Reverses the Beasts they exhibited in their Ludi Saecula∣res, and caused to be slain, to display their Magnificence,* 1.99 and to regain the Peoples Affections, which were extremely sowr'd and alienated by the Death of Gordian. Ne∣ver were so many sorts of them seen before; there was one Rhinoceros, 32 Elephants, 10 Tigres, 10 Elks, 60 tamed Lions, 30 Leopards, 20 Hyaena's, 1 Hippopotamos, 40 Wild Horses, 20 Wild Asses,* 1.100 20 Wild Lions, and 10 Camelopards. The Figure of some of them is to be seen upon the Me∣dals of the Father, Mother, and Son, and amongst others of the Hippopotamos, and the Strepsikeros, sent from Africa.

As for the Eagles that are found on the Reverses of the Egyptian Kings, and at the Consecrations of Emperors, they have no∣thing but what is very common. No more than the Wolf of Remus and Romulus to be met with both in the Higher and Lower Empire. Elephants in Trappings are found upon an Antoninus Pius, a Severus, and some

other Emperors, that procured them to em∣bellish and decorate their Shews; and be∣sides these, there are other Uncommon Ani∣mals, which shall scarce ever be met with, unless upon Medals. Witness the Phoenix upon the Medals of Constantine and his Sons, after the Example of the Princes and Prin∣cesses of the Higher Empire; to denote by that Immortal Bird, either the Eternity of the Empire, or else the Consecration of the Princes that are admitted into the number of the Gods. Mademoiselle Patin has late∣ly published a very Curious Latin Disserta∣tion thereon, which is a great honour to both the Father, and Daughter.

Other Animals are also found upon Me∣dals, as Birds, Fishes, and Fabulous Monsters; and likewise Extraordinary Plants, which are the produce only of some particular Coun∣tries, as may be learnt more at large in the Famous Spanheimius his Third Dissertation de Praestantià & Ʋsu numismatum.* 1.101 A Work worthy of its Author, in which is to be seen the vast Extent of his Knowledge, Penetrati∣on and Judgment, and a certain Air and Cha∣racter of the Honneste homme, that is so often wanting in other Learned Men, and which particularly appears by the Respect where∣with he treats those whose Sentiments he cannot approve, which gains him Esteem and Veneration from all Authors For Stu∣dy and Retirement are apt commonly to

make Learned Men morose; their Conti∣nual Conversing with the Dead disposing them to be forgetful of the Affability, and just Decorum that is due to the Living.

* 1.102It must also be observed, That often∣times the Prince, or Princess, whose Heads are set large upon the Medal on one side, are seen placed on the Reverse at their full height, or sitting under the Representation of some God, or Genius; and engraven with such Art and Delicacy, that tho the Size is very small, and fine, yet one may perfectly discern it to be the same Visage that is in Relief on the other side. So Nero appears on his Medal DECURSIO. Ha∣drian, M. Aurelius, Severus, Decius, &c. under the form of Deities, conferred upon them as a Reward to their Civil and Mili∣tary Vertues.

* 1.103There remains yet for us to shew the manner how Medals may be placed accord∣ing to their Different Reverses, to render Ca∣binets more exact and curious. And this may be done two ways, either by a simple Series, which has no other Affinity than what be∣longs to the same Emperor; or else by an Historical Series, according to the Order of Times and Years, which may be discovered by the Consulates, and the Power of the Tribunes. This is the way which Occo and Mezza Barba have taken in ranging the Me∣dals that they have described. Indeed, tha••

which is disagreable in this way, is, that the same Reverse must be very often repeat∣ed, because that in Different Years the same Figures are found, especially those that are the most common.

There is another way more Learned, I must needs say, which Oiselius has follow∣ed, who without troubling himself about placing them separately, as they belonged to every Emperor, only has taken care to reunite every Reverse to certain Pieces of Curiosity, by which means we methodical∣ly learn whatsoever can be drawn from the Knowledge of Medals. Thus has he per∣formed his Design, which seems to me to be borrowed from Goltzius, and formed almost in the same Order he has given to the 24 Titles of his Thesaurus Rei Antiquariae;* 1.104 or rather it appears to come originally from the Dialogues of the Learned Archbishop of Tarragone.

First,* 1.105 he has placed a Series of Imperial Heads, the compleatest he could; after that he has collected all the Reverses that carried any thing of Geography in them; that is to say, Such as did set forth any People, Cities, Rivers, Mountains, or Provinces, of which he has made Eight Tables, either with a design of giving the Curious a Mo∣del, or else having really no more but those Medals he shews us, and upon which he speaks what he knows.

Then he has collected whatsoever relates to the Deities of both Sexes, joining the Vertues with them, which are as so many Deities of the Second Order. As Constan∣cy, Clemency, Moderation, and the like, which makes up for him a pretty large Se∣ries.

After this we find in four Tables all the Monuments of Peace, Games, Theatres, Cirques, Liberalities, Doles, Magistracies, Adoptions, Mariages, Arrivals into Pro∣vinces or Cities, &c.

In the following Tables is placed what∣ever concerns War, Legions, Armies, Vi∣ctories, Trophies, Allocutions, Camps, Armes, Ensigns, &c.

In a Single Table is to be seen what be∣longs to Religion, Temples, Altars, Priests, Sacrifices, Instruments, and Ornaments of Augurs, and Prelates: To which may very well be referred the Apotheoses, or Conse∣crations, which he has placed by themselves, and are distinguished by Eagles, and Pea∣cocks for Princesses, by Altars, Temples, and Chariots drawn by two or four Ele∣phants, or two Mules, or four Horses.

Lastly, He has collected all Publick Mo∣numents and Edifices built to eternize the Memory of Princes; as, Triumphal Ar∣ches, Columns, Equestrial Statues, Gates, High-ways, Bridges, Palaces, and other Structures.

There is but one Defect, methinks, in placing Me••als this way, which is, that Heads, Met••••ls and Sizes must needs here be mixt, and consequently the Tables made after such a ••ashion as is impracticable.

* 1.106As Medail••ons were only coined for Pub∣lick Ceremonies, Shews, or to make Presents of, either to the People or Strangers; so their Reverses are much more Curious than those of Ordinary Medals, because they commonly represent Triumphs, Games, Buildings, or some other Noble Monu∣ment relating to some point of History, which is that that is sought after with greatest Solicitude; and when found, gives the greatest satisfaction. L'Erizzo has be∣gun to shew, and give us his Advice upon these sorts of Medals. Monsieur Tristan, a Person of great Reading, and fine Erudi∣tion, has caused several of them to be en∣graven; and M. Patin has given us very Noble ones in his Treasury: In M. Car∣cavi's time those of the King's Cabinet were engraven; and the Bishop of Pamiez is about bestowing his on the Publick; and he promises also the Explanation of them; than which nothing will be finer, nor bet∣ter deserve the Curiosity of the Learned and Ingenious.

The Reverses are often charged with dif∣ferent Epocha's of Times, with marks of the Publick Authority, of the Senate, Peo∣ple,

and the Prince: With the Value of the Money; the Place where they were coined; or, lastly, with the different marks of the Mint-masters, and Cities.

It's true, This might have been left to the next Instruction, which will be con∣cerning Inscriptions, and of which they seem to be as parts; but yet since they are very rarely to be seen round the Medals, but only in the Field, or at least in the* 1.107 Exer∣gue, and that even sometimes the Reverses have no other Figures than these sorts of Characters, I have thought ••t more fit to speak of them in this place, than to refer them to another.

* 1.108The Eopcha's set forth the Years of Princes, and Cities, and give Medals an Extraordi∣nary Beauty, because they rectify Chrono∣logy, which is mighty serviceable to the clearing up Historical Affairs. 'Tis by this way that M. Vaillant happily acquitted himself in unfolding to us the History of the Syrian Kings, where several Princes of the same Name have caused so great a Confu∣sion; And by this means Father Noris, the Great Duke's famous Antiquary, has dis∣covered a thousand Noble Secrets, which he has now given us in his Book de Epochis Syromacedonum.* 1.109

Indeed as to this, the Greeks have been more Careful and Successful than the Ro∣mans, and the Later Ages more exact than

the Former; because the Roman Medals have set out no other Epocha than that of the Consulate,* 1.110 and Power of the Tribunes; and neither the one nor t'other is certain, because they do not always go according to the Year of their Reign, and but very rarely does That of the Power of the Tri∣bunes agree with That of the Consulate. For That of the Power of the Tribunes pro∣ceeded regularly from Year to Year, where∣as the Emperor not being always Consul, the whole Interval from One Consulate to the Other, which was frequently of several Years, kept always the Epocha of the last. As to give you an Instance, The Emperor Hadrian's Medals for several years had Cos. III. so that by this way no Certain Order can be made of the Different Medals which have been coined since the 872. Year of Rome, in which he entred upon his Third Consulate, to his Death, which was not till Twenty years after.

* 1.111The Greeks, on the contrary, have affe∣cted to mark the Years of every Prince's Reign exactly, and that even in the Lowest Empire, where the Reverses scarce bear any thing else than these sorts of Epocha's, more especially since Justinian. I speak here of Imperial Medals only; for I know well enough, excepting some Cities, all the O∣thers which Goltzius has given us, have no Epocha's at all; and this is that which per∣plexes

Chronology extremely. The Epo∣cha's of the Reigns of Kings, I confess, are oftner found in them. Father Hardouin in his Antirrhetique,* 1.112 gives us that of King Juba, upon Medals, of which one shews the 32d Year; others the 36th, 40th, 42d, and 45th.

* 1.113Colonies also marked their Epocha's, a•• may be seen in that of* 1.114 Viminacium, which under Gordian, when she began, sets An. I. II. &c. under Philip, An. VII. &c. under Decius, An. XI.

* 1.115M. Toynard discovers to us a new Se∣cret, worthy of his profound Diligence, and the great Assistance which that has gi∣ven him in all matters he undertakes to treat of. It is, that sometimes not only the Years of the Emperors Reigns,* 1.116 but also those of their Age, is to be found upon Medals, which no body before him eve•• took care to observe. He has proved it to admiration by the Medals of Commodus, a•• may be seen by a particular Dissertation h•• affords us upon this Subject. And it may be this is not the sole Example, though n•• other has yet been discovered besides.

The Greek Cities subject to the Roma•• Empire were fond of a particular Epoch•••• from the honour they had of being Neocore•• that is,* 1.117 of having Temples where Solem•• Sacrifices of the whole Province were per∣formed for their Princes, and of havin••

Amphitheaters, wherein publick Plays and Combats were represented with the per∣mission of the Prince, or the Senate, which they importunately demanded, being over∣joyed when they could obtain it above once, and very careful to record the Memory of it upon their Medals. ΔΙϹ. ΤΡΙϹ. ΤΕ∣ΤΡΑΚΙϹ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ.

* 1.118The Epocha's are almost always set down on the Reverse after one of these two ways; either by expressing Entire words, ΕΤΟΥϹ ΔΕϹΑΤΟΥ. &c. or oftner by Single Ci∣phers, and the word abridg'd, Ε. or Ε Τ. Α. Β. &c. almost always by the old Lamb∣da, L. which signifies, according to the Tradition of the Antiquaries, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Poetical word, and not used in Common Language, and signifies Anno, and proba∣bly was more used in Egypt than in Greece, seeing it is upon all the Medals that are found of that Country. We have never∣theless a very Handsome Canopus on the Re∣verse of an Antoninus, ΕΤΟΥϹ. Β. as we have likewise of the same Emperor a Reverse L. ΕΝΝΑΤΟΥ, and Several Others with Single Ciphers L. Ζ. L. Η. L. ΙΓ.* 1.119 charged with the Figures of Justice, with the Head of Serapis, and a Dolphin twisted about a Trident.

The Epocha's of Cities are commonly de∣noted by a Single Cypher, without either the E, or the L. and the Lowest Number is com∣monly

placed First. On the Medal of An∣tiochia you have Δ. Μ. and not* 1.120 Μ. Δ. On one of Pompeiopolis, that has the Head of Aratus on one side, and on the other that of Chrysippus, is Θ. Κ. Ϲ. instead of* 1.121 Ϲ. Κ. Θ. &c.

In the Lower Greek Empire the Epocha's are marked in Latin, Anno III. V. VI. &c. From Justin down to Theophilus they fill the Field of the Medal in two Lines from top to bottom; as on that of Justin,

[illustration]

ANNO K.^X

that of Justinian.

[illustration]

ANNO I^†XXIII

and so upon others.

Nevertheless some have the Anno in that position of usual writing, on the top of the Field, as Phocas, and Heraclius. After Theo∣philus we do not meet with any Epocha's, either Greek or Latin.

* 1.122I find too that even Indictions are mark∣ed; for upon a Medal of Mauricius, there is IND. II. which makes me believe that the INDVT. III. upon a small Medal of Germanicus's, may be the same thing, since no body has been able to understand it as yet, and it may well mean Indictione VIII. or XIIII. the T. being a fault of the Minter, as there are several of them, and also it not being well stamped. But because our

Greatest Masters will have it, that by its Fabrick and Make it appears to be of the Higher Empire, which will not at all agree with what I propose, we must wait for a better Explanation.

* 1.123The Marks of the publick Authority, that appear on the Reverses, when there are none in the Legend or Inscriptions, are S. C. or Δ. E. or Populi jussu, or the like words, which we shall explain; but it is not so easy to guess what they signify with Respect to Medals.

* 1.124To begin with S. C. some say it was to give Authority to the Metal, and to shew that it was of a good Alloy, and such as the Currant Money ought to be of. Others, that it was to fix the Price, or Weight of it; and others again, that it was to testify that the Senate had ordered the Reverse with respect to the Emperor, whom they had a mind to honour; and for that reason the S. C. is always upon the Reverse; but yet all this is much questioned.

For if it be true that the S. C. is the Mark of true Money, how comes it to pass that it is scarce ever to be found upon Gold and Silver, and is often also wanting on the small Copper, and that even in the Higher Empire, and during the time of the Re∣publick, when the Authority of the Senate should have been most regarded.

I said, scarce ever, because the S. C. is found upon some Consular Medals, as in the Families Norbana, Mincia, Mescinia, Maria, Terentia, &c. not to mention those that have Ex S. C. which may rather relate to the Figure than the Medal: For exam∣ple, in the Family Calpurnia, Ad frumentum emendum ex S. C. which is as much as to say, The Senate had ordered the Aediles to buy Corn. There are some amongst the Silver Imperials with ex S. C. But never with S. C. as upon the Copper; which makes me to conclude, that it is not the Mark which ought to be upon the Currant Money.

The same Reason makes me forbear to say that S. C. is the Sign of the Good Alloy, or Value, since there are other unquestiona∣ble Marks for them, of which we shall speak in its proper place.

Nor is it more reasonable to say, that it is the Mark of those Medals the Senate caused to be coined out of Respect and Acknow∣ledgment; for if it were so, the Senate must have ordered None but Copper to be made, which is not at all probable. And certainly Medaillons, which were always coined for that intent, would have the S. C. yet it is scarce ever found upon them, at least I ne∣ver saw it,* 1.125 as I remember, except upon the Medaillon of Trajanus Decius, and that of Philip the Son, which M. Patin tells us of.

A young Beginner need not presently neither to pin his Faith upon what M. Vail∣lant and F. Hardouin, have said touching the Δ. Ε. ΔΗΜΑΡΞΙΚΗΣ ΕΞΟΥ∣ϹΙΑϹ, or other words implying the Name or Authority of the People. It is enough for him to know, that when he meets with Populi jussu, or S. P. Q. R. or Consensu Senatus & Equestris Ordinis popu∣lique Romani, that these words relate to Statues, or other Monuments erected to the Honour of Princes, the Medals where∣of were Coined at Rome. But when he finds upon those of Cities or Colonies, Per∣missu Augusti, it declares the Permission and Privilege which that City had to Coin Money. A very particular favour granted by the Emperors to them, which they te∣stified by such their Acknowledgements, as appears upon the curious Medal of Pa∣tras, that M. Seguin has given us,

Indulgentia Augusti moneta impetrata.

We oftener find upon these Medals of Co∣lonies,* 1.126 permission given by Ordinary Ma∣gistrates, witness Permissu Dolabellae Pro∣consulis;* 1.127 and on another, Permissu Aproni Proces. III. * 1.128which signifies either the Pri∣vilege of Coining Money, or else that of taking the Name of Colony, or of erecting some Edifice, as the Altar that was built in

Spain to the Providence of Augustus, which is to be found upon One of the same Em∣peror's Reverses, Municipium Italica, pro∣videntiae permissu Augusti.

* 1.129Nothing is more common than to find the Names of Cities where Medals have been Coined, both in the Upper and Lower Empire, with this difference, that in the Upper Empire they are often in the Legend or Inscription; and in the Lower, after Constantine, it is always in the Exergue. So is the * 1.130 P. T. Percussa Triviris. S. M. A. Signata moneta Antiochiae. CON. OB. Constantinopoli obsignata, &c. whereas in the Upper Empire the Names are found all at length. Lugduni on that of M. Antony, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, upon Greek Medals, and those of all Colonies.

* 1.131In a word, Reverses are often charged with the particular Marks of the Mint∣masters, which they put on on their own Heads to distinguish their Money, and the place where they worked. By this means are explained an infinite number of Chara∣cters, or little Figures, which are found not only in the Lower Empire after Gallus and Volusian, but even in the Consular Times.

Mons. Morell has told me, he had found above two Hundred of these different Marks of Mint-masters upon Medals, which can∣not possibly be otherwise explained; to

which, if we should joyn them of the Lower Empire, the number would be much greater.

However I would not have this become a Refuge to the Ignorance and Sloth of those, who to spare themselves the pains of searching, have Recourse presently to the Mint-master's Mark. For we see Mons. Vaillant by great Study and Application, has instructed us in the Mysteries of I know not how many little Symbols: And F. Hardouin has discovered, That the Let∣ters, ΑΒΓΔ, found upon Imperial Me∣dals, are only so many Marks of different Mint-masters, in the same City, which we meet with mark'd by their Names upon the ancienter Medals, as on a Julian the Apo∣state, Officina Lugdunensis. On a Mauricius, Vienna de Officina Laurenti. On a Valenti∣nian, Officina III. Constantinopolitana. And that therefore the Figures never amount to Ten,* 1.132 unless in the Cities of Constantinople and Antioch, where more Money was Coined than in all the other Cities of the Empire, and where by consequence there must be in the Mint more different Workhouses.

This is so clearly demonstrated, that none can with any Colour of Reason deny it. And it is One of the happy discoveries, for which we are beholden to this Learned Man, by which several of these Characters are easily decipher'd, that could not have

been explained, but by calling all of this sort Arbitrary Marks. As for instance, on a Julian, B. S. L. C. Signata Lugduni; the B, which they do not explain, signifies, In Officina Secunda. On a Valens, SISCPZ, Sisciae percussa; the Z that was not explain∣ed before, denotes In Officina Septima. And so in many others, whose Cyphers are some∣times in Greek, and sometimes in Latin Characters.

* 1.133There remain yet some Marks to be un∣derstood, which are apparently those of the Value of the Money, and are almost only found upon the Consular; These Marks are X. V. Q. S. L.-L. S. The Denarius is meant by X. which is worth Denos Aeris, ten brass Asses. The V. signifies Quinarius, five Asses, Quinos Aeris. The S Semissis, Half an Ass. The L-L-S a Sesterce, or two Asses and an half. The Q. also signifies Qui∣narius.

None of these Marks are found upon the Copper Ones, unless it be the S. upon some of the Consular Medals. A certain number of Points are most commonly seen on each side, but never above four, which signifies the Third part of an Ass, as it is divided into Twelve parts, called Ʋncia, Sextans, Dodrans, Quadrans, Triens; the Sextans is marked.., the Triens...., the Quadrans ..., &c. the whole Ass by O or L, Libra, which denotes the weight of it.

* 1.134The altering of the Value, which hap∣pened sometimes, was expressed upon the Silver by new Cyphers. As we see, for instance, when the Denarius was raised from ten to sixteen Asses, they set upon it XVI. and so proportionably upon the Qui∣narius VIII. and upon the Sesterce IIII. we have the XVI. plainly mark'd in the Families Titinia and Valeria. Antonius Au∣gustinus says, he has seen some Quinarii with the VIII. but he never could any Sesterces with the IIII.

I wish I could certainly determine what those Cyphers meant that are found upon the Medals of the Family Tarquitia, where we see XXXI. and upon those of Maria, One of which has on the Reverse, a La∣bourer leading two Oxen, and above XXVIII. S. C. and the Other upon the same Type XXXXIII. These perhaps would be useful in clearing up those of M. Antony, that bear a Lyon passant, Lugduni A. XL. A. XLI, &c. As also those of the Lower Empire,* 1.135 where we find XXIII. XXX. XXXX. XXXXIIII. XXXXV. For they are not the Epocha's of Years, they are joyned with ANNO. I. II. III. But since the greatest Masters hitherto confess that they have not been able to come at their meaning, a Learner may very well comfort himself, that herein he knows as much as they do.

INSTRUCTION VI.

Of the Inscriptions, called the Legend of Medals.

IT seems as if the Ancients had design∣ed to make Images and Emblems of their Medals; the One for the Common People, and those of duller Apprehensions; the Other for People of Quality, and the more refined Wits. Images to represent the Faces and Heads of Princes; Emblems, their Virtues and Great Atchievements. Thus the Legend is to be looked upon as the Soul of the Medal, and the Figures as the Body; and just so it is in the Emblem, where the Device has the place of the Soul, with∣out which we could never understand what the Figures were designed to teach us. As for instance, we see on a Medal of Augu∣stus two Hands joyned, clasping a Caduceus betwixt two Cornucopia's; this is the Body: The word Pax there engraven, is to denote the Peace which that Prince had given to the State, by reconciling it to M. Antony, which had restored Felicity and Plenty to it. Whereas those very two Hands on the Medals of Balbinus and Pupienus have this Legend, Amor mutuus Augustorum, expres∣sing thereby the good Understanding be∣tween

the two Colleagues in governing the Empire. And upon a Nerva by the words Concordia Exercituum, the Hands are decla∣red to signify the Agreement of the Soldiers for their New Prince.

But for the more perfect Understanding of this Mystery, I think it will be necessa∣ry to recollect the difference we have made betwixt the Legend and the Inscription,* 1.136 by calling properly nothing Inscription, but the words which are in lieu of a Reverse, and takes up the Field of the Medal instead of Figures. Therefore we shall call only those words the Legend which go round the Medal, and which serve to explain the Fi∣gures that are upon the Field.

* 1.137In this Sense every Medal is said to have two Legends, viz. that of the Head, and that of the Reverse. The first for the most part serves only to make the Person known by his proper Name, his Offices, or by cer∣tain Sir-names which their Virtues have gained them. The second is designed to declare their Virtues, their Noble and Ge∣nerous Actions, the Glorious Monuments that serve to Eternize their Names, and the Benefits the Empire hath received by their means. Thus we find Antoninus's Medal bears on the Head-side, Antoninus Augustus, Pius, Pater Patriae, Trib. Pot. Cos. IIII. these are his Names and Titles: On the Reverse are three Figures; One of the

Emperor seated on a Throne; the Second; a Woman standing with a Horn of Plenty, and a Square Chart, with a certain num∣ber of Points upon it. The Third is a Fi∣gure presenting it self, and holding out its Gown as to receive something; which is explained to us by the Legend, Liberali∣tas quarta, telling us, That that Emperor gave a fourth Donative to the People, by distributing to them so many measures of Corn, as every Family had need of.

Nevertheless, this is neither so Universal, nor so indispensable, but that the Digni∣ties and Offices of Persons may be impart∣ed sometimes, either in whole, or in part, on the Reverse-side, as well as on the Head, or may sometimes not be put upon the Re∣verse side only, where likewise (though I confess it is very seldom) the Name it self may be found. For example, That of Augustus, of Constantine and his Sons, as we have said already. We have a thou∣sand Examples of the dividing of Dignities, Offices, and Titles of Honour: On the Head-side of a Medal of Julius is to be seen Caesar Imper quartum; on the Reverse, Au∣gur, Pont. Max. Cos. quartum, Dictator quartum. On the Head of an Antoninus, Antoninus Aug. Pius, Pater patriae, Trib. Pot. XV. On the Reverse, Cos. IIII. and nothing more. On another of his Reverses, Trib. Pot. XXI. Cos. IIII. On the Head of

an Hadrian, Hadrianus Aug. P. P. On the Reverse, Trib. Pot. Cos. II. the Title of Pater Patriae, is commonly on the Head-side, as is the Office of Censor. Those of Pontifex, Augur, and the like, are always upon the Reverses, when the Symbols of those Dignities are there engraven. For Instance, the Pontifical Instruments on the Reverse of Vespasian and Vitellius, where we see the Tripod, the Dolphin, and the Crow, XV. VIR. Sacr. fac.

* 1.138These Offices are different on the Medals of Families, and on Imperial ones. For in the Families are found only particular Offi∣ces, as that of the IIIVIRS for the Mint,* 1.139 A. A. A. F. F. and of IVVIRS under Ju∣lius.* 1.140 That of the IIIVIRS of Health, Acilius IIIVIR Valetudinarius.* 1.141 Of the IIVIRS, or IIIVIRS for Colonies.* 1.142 Of the VIIVIRS for Banquets. Curator De∣nariorum ••landorum.* 1.143 Of the Aediles, Que∣stors, Lieutenants, &c.* 1.144 Whereas upon the Imperial we meet with none but the most considerable Offices, Augur, Pontifex Max∣imus, which made them Masters of every thing that was Sacred, and which the Em∣perors kept from the time of Augustus till Gratian, that is to say, till the Heathen Religion was utterly abolished. Tribuni∣tiâ potestate, Consul, and sometimes Pro∣consul, a Title never assumed, but when the Emperor was out of Rome, and was

looked upon as contained in the Name of Imperator, during the Higher Empire; for after Trajan, it is only found on the Medals of Dioclesian, Maximian, and Con∣stantine. It is fit to be observed, That the Emperors affected to preserve the Name and Dignity of Consul, as a Remain∣der of Liberty, although it was nothing more than a fine Name without any real Authority, except when the Emperor him∣self was pleased to make use of it, either solely, or with a Colleague. In a word, it was lost insensibly in the time of Justi∣nian, who united that Dignity to the Im∣perial; so that after him, no Emperor ever created any Consuls, or took that Name to himself, or bestowed it upon any Other.

* 1.145Indeed, when Medals have no Head, the Brave and Noble Actions, represented thereon, take up that place, and then the Legend of the Reverse is a kind of In∣scription: For instance, Tiberius on his Medal, coined in Acknowledgment of the Care he took in Rebuilding the Cities of Asia, that were destroyed by an Earth∣quake, is represented sitting in a Curul•• Chair, with Civitatibus Asiae restitutis, and on the Reverse, a Legend only, Tiberius Caesar Divi Aug. Filius Augustus, Pont. Max. Trib. Pot. XXI.

It appears by what I have said, That I only speak of Emperors or Kings Medals. For, as for the Medals belonging to Cities or Provinces, the Head of those is com∣monly the Genius of the Place, or some other Deity there worshipped; and the Legend also is the Name of the City, or Province, or Deity, or both together, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. either the Name of the City sit on the Reverse, and the Name of the Deity kept on the Headside, or the Name of the City serving as a Legend to the Deity, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Jupiter Hammon, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Hercules, &c.

The Reverses of these Medals are al∣ways some Symbol of those Cities, of∣ten without any Legend, oftner with the Name of the City; and sometimes with that of some Magistrate, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. So that we may truly say, The Legends of those sorts of Medals are only Expressions of the Coun∣try.

On all others, the Noble Actions are expressed upon the Reverses, either Natu∣rally, or by Symbols, which the Legend explains. Naturally, as when Trajan is represented crowning the Parthian King, Rex Parthis datus. Symbolically, as when the Victory of Julius and Augustus is signi∣fied

by a Crocodile, Aegypto capta. We have in Hadrian, all the Provinces that acknow∣ledged him for their Restorer; and those that understand it not by the Symbols, may learn it by the Legend; Restitutori Galliae, Restitutori Hispaniae, &c. Thus the several Victories signified by Crowns, Palms, Tro∣phies, and the like Marks, that are indif∣ferent in themselves, are determined by the Legend. On one of Augustus's is, Asia Subacta. Of Constantine the younger, Ale∣mannia Devicta. Of Vespasian, Judaea Capta. Of Trajan, Armenia & Mesopo∣tamia in potestatem populi Romani reda∣ctae. Or else Simply, De Germanis, De Sarmatis, as on M. Aurelius's; for the plainest Legends are sometimes the most dignified.

* 1.146Leaving then the Legends of the Head designed to express the Name, either alone, as Brutus, Ahala, Caesar, or with the Ti∣tles, as we have said already; the other Legends are only Explanations of the Sym∣bols that appear upon Medals; by which are declared the Virtues of Princes, certain particular Events of their Lives, the Ho∣nours that have been paid them, the great Benefits they procured to the State, the Monuments of their Glory, the Deities they most worshipped, and by whom they believed they were particularly protected. Because the Reverses, as we have said,

not being charged but with these sorts of Matters, the Legends have an Essential Relation to them, being as it were the Key of the Representations, which it would be very difficult to understand without these helps, especially in the more remote Ages and Countries, where the Customs are wholly different.

It is in this that the Medals of the High∣er Empire excel, their Figures being al∣ways applied for some very good Reason; whereas on those of the Lower Empire, they are both given indifferently to all the Emperors, more by Custom than from Me∣rit, witness the Gloria Exercitus. Faelicitas temporum renovata, &c.

* 1.147As the Virtues which gained Princes the greatest Affection and Esteem of their People, are the most common Reverses; so likewise the most common Legends are those that declare them, sometimes by their Single Name, as on a Tiberius, Mo∣derationi, Clementiae, Justitiae; and some∣times by applying them to the Princes in the Nominative or Genitive Case, as Spes Augusta,* 1.148 or Spes Augusti. Constantia Augusta, or Constantia Augusti. The same Regimen is also indifferently obser∣ved, as to the Virtue it self, Virtus Aug. or Virtuti Aug. Clementia, or Clementiae, &c.

* 1.149The Honours bestowed on Princes con∣sist chiefly in Pompous Sirnames, given them to set forth either the most consider∣able Actions they have performed, or some of the most Eminent Qualities they have been endued with: For after this manner must they be distinguished by the Publick Monuments, that remain as per∣petual Witnesses of their Glory. In this Sense they can only be exprest by the Le∣gend, either on the Head-side, or on the Reverse. As, for instance, Trajan's fa∣mous Title, Optimo Principi, is found on both Sides. In Commodus, that of Foelix, which he first added to Pius, and his Suc∣cessors retained, is always on the Head-side. Those that shew the Conquered Pro∣vinces, as Britannicus, Armeniacus, Daci∣cus, Parthicus, Parthicus Maximus, Ger∣manicus, Adiabenicus, &c. are sometimes found on the Head-side, sometimes on the Reverse; whereas the Titles that display their Grandeur or Power, are always on the Reverse.* 1.150 Genio Senatus, Genio Exer∣citus, Genio Populi Romani, Restitutor•• Orbis terrarum, Debellatori Gentium Bar∣bararum, Locupletatori Orbis terrarum. Ne∣vertheless, the Genitrix Orbis, Mater Ca∣strorum, Mater Senatus, Mater Patriae, are found on the Head-side, as is most com∣monly Pater Patriae.

As for the Honours bestowed on them after their Deaths, which consisted in ad∣mitting them into the number of the Gods, they are explained by the word Consecratio,* 1.151 by that of Pater, Divus, and Deus. Divo Pio, Divus Augustus Pater. Deo & Domino Caro. Sometimes they inscribed round their Temples and Altars, Memoria ••oelix, or Memoriae Aeternae. Sometimes for Princes∣ses, Aeternitas, or Sideribus recepta; and on the Head side, Diva; and the Greeks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

* 1.152Legends expressing Benefits conferred on Cities, Provinces, and the Empire, are commonly very Short and Plain, but yet mighty Pompous and Magnificent. As for instance, * 1.153 Conservator Ʋrbis suae, Fundator Pacis. Rector Orbis. Restitutor Ʋrbis Hispania; Galliae, &c. Pacator Or∣bis. Salus generis humani. Gaudium Rei∣publicae. Gloria Rom. Hilaritas pop. Rom. Laetitia fundata. Tellus stabilita. Exupera∣tor omnium Gentium. Gloria Orbis terra∣rum. Bono Reipublicae natus. Gloria novi Saeculi.

* 1.154Sometimes the manner of it is yet more sprightly and moving, as Roma renas∣cens. Roma resurgens. Libertas restitu∣ta, &c.

* 1.155Benefits that were more particular, were exprest more distinctly. * 1.156 As Restitutor mo∣netae, Remissa à ducentesima, Quadragesima

remissa.* 1.157 Vehiculatione Italiae remissa. Fisci Judaici Calumnia sublata. Congiarium pop. Rom. datum. Puellae Faustinianae. Via Tra∣jana. Indulgentia in Cart aginenses. Reliqu•• vetera H. S. novies millies abolita, that is to say, 22000000. Plebi Ʋrbanae frumento con∣stituto.

* 1.158Certain Events that are peculiar to eve∣ry Province, are also known by the Le∣gends, being not to be expressed but by common Symbols. As for Example, a Victory with a Trophy, a Palm, or a Crown, cannot be determined but by the word,* 1.159 Victoria Germanica, Victoria Nava∣lis, Victoria Parthica, Praetoriani recepti, & Imperatore recepto. Which denotes the welcome Reception that Claudius met with from the Soldiers. The favour Nero ob∣tained of being received into all the Sacer∣dotal Colleges, Sacerdos co-optatus in om∣nibus Conlegiis supra numerum. Pax fun∣data cum Persis. The Miracle that hap∣pened at Tarragon, after the Death of Gordian, when a Palm was seen to spring out of the Altar of Augustus, upon which occasion they coined a Medal with the Representation of the Wonder, and these four Letters, C. V. T. T. Colonia vi∣ctrix Togata Tarraco,* 1.160 and upon which the Emperor made a very pleasant piece of Raillery.

* 1.161Publick Monuments are also known and distinguished by the Legend; for those that were built by the Prince himself, are put in the Nominative, or Genitive Case, or else exprest by a Verb: But those that are built or consecrated to the Prince, have his Name in the Dative. Macellum Augusti. Basilica Ʋlpia. Aqua Marcia. Portus Osti∣ensis. Forum Trajani. Templum Divi Augu∣sti restitutum; because these Edifices were built by Nero, Trajan, and Antoninus. Whereas on the contrary we see, that Ro∣mae & Augusto, Jovi Deo, Divo Pio, Opti∣mo Principi, signify Temples built to the Honour of Augustus, and Columns erected to Antoninus and Trajan.

* 1.162The particular Affection Princes had to certain Deities, and the Several Titles under which they honoured them, in ac∣knowledgment of their Protection in gene∣ral, or of some particular Graces and Fa∣vours they had received from them, are discovered to us by the different Ways of the Legend. We know Numerianus chiefly honoured Mercury, because we find him on the Reverse of his Medals, with these words Pietas Aug. We know also that Diocle∣tian honoured Jupiter as his Protector, be∣cause we see on his Medals Jovi Conserva∣tori, Jovi Propugnatori: And that Gordian attributed to Him the Success of a Battel, wherein his Soldiers behaved themselves

with Great Bravery and Resolution, by Jovi Statori.

* 1.163On the Medals of Princesses were coined the Images and Names of the Deities of their Sex. Ceres, Juno, Vesta, Venus, Dia∣na. The happiness of their Mariage was noted by Venus Foelix. Their Gratitude for a Safe Deliverance, by Junoni Lucinae. That of their Fruitfulness, by Veneri Genetrici. The Good Fortune of Princes, which was always their Chief Deity, is found very frequently on their Medals, in all manner of ways; as Fortuna Augusta, Perpetua; For∣tunae Foelici, muliebri. Fortuna manens. For∣tuna obsequens. Fortuna redux: Expressing the Name indifferently either by the No∣minative, Dative, or the Accusative Case. For we equally find Mars Victor, Marti Ʋltori, Martem propugnatorem, and even Martis ultoris; but it is belonging to the Temple that is built to him to revenge the Death of Julius, which makes a Notable Difference. It must not be forgot here, That Legends declaring Names, do it ei∣ther by the Nominative, as Caesar Augustus; or by the Genitive, as Divi Julii; or by the Dative, as Imp. Nervae, Trajano, Ger∣manico, &c. or by the Accusative Case, as Μ. ΑΥΡΗΑ. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΝ, * 1.164 &c. But yet I have not found any Latin Ex∣amples of the Accusative, besides that of Gallienus,* 1.165 Gallienum Augustum, on the Re∣verse, Ob Conservationem Salutis.

We will now speak no more of Persons, but of Things that appear upon Medals, and have no Other Legend than their Names or their Qualities, which I shall rank in this Order.

* 1.1661. Cities, Provinces, Rivers. Some whereof we find have only their bare Names. Tiberis, Danuvius, Rhenus Ni∣lus; Aegyptus, Hispania, Italia, Dacia, A∣frica; Roma, Alexandria, Obulco, Valentia, Italica, Bilbilis: Others are cloathed with their Qualities, and Prerogatives. Colonia Julia Augusta. Foelix Berytus. Colonia immu∣nis, Illice Augusta. Colonia Aurelia Metropo∣lis Sidon. Colonia prima, Flavia, Augusta Caesariensis.* 1.167 Municipium Ilerda. Aelium mu∣nicipium Coillut anum Antonianum.

The Greek Cities coined their Privileges on them, ΙΕRΑϹ, ΑϹΥΛΟΥ, ΑΥΤΟΝΟ∣ΜΟΥ, ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑϹ, ΝΑΥΑΡΞΙΔΟϹ, ΚΟ∣ΛΩΝΙΑϹ, to declare the Honour they had of being inviolable, that is to say, that no Criminals could be taken from thence, who had fled thither, ΙΕΡΑϹ. ΑϹΥΛ. having the Privilege of observing their own, and not the Roman Laws, ΑΥΤ. the Privilege of Latium, or Roman Citizens, ΚΟΛΩ∣ΝΙΑ. That of having a Sea-port, wherein their Ships rode, ΝΑΥΑΡΞΙΔΟϹ. That of being Exempt from Tributes, and Im∣posts. ΕΛΕΥΘ. with the other particu∣lar Privileges of Colonies which they had

obtained. They were very careful to mark those of the Neocores, ΔΙϹ. ΤΡΙϹ. ΤΕ∣ΤΡΑΚΙϹ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ. And to con∣clude, The Alliances they had with other Cities were exprest by the word, Ο Μ'Ο∣ΝΟΙΑ

* 1.1682. Military Ensigns, and whole Armies have their Names told us by the Legend, as also the particular Legions that composed them. We know M. Antony had Thirty Legions,* 1.169 by the numbers Legio I. II. III. &c. and so on to XXX. We find the se∣veral Names of these Legions, and the Di∣stinction of those that served by Sea, from them that served by Land, by the words Legionis primae Antiquae, Legionis XVII. Classicae. Legionis XX. Hispanicae. Legionis XXII. Primigeniae, &c. the Titles of Ho∣nour they had merited by their Valour and Fidelity are expressed in these words, Le∣gio I.* 1.170 Augusta sextum Pia, sextum Fedelis. Legio II. Adjutrix. VII. Pia. VII. Fidelis. Legio Aug. X. Gem. Pia, Victrix. We find also the Cohorts there, as in Antony's. Cohors Speculatorum. Cohortes Praetorianorum sep∣tem, in Gallien's. Coh. Praetorianae Philippis, in Augustus's.

* 1.171The Names of Armies are also found there, with the Countries where they fought; witness Exercitus Dacicus; Ex∣erc. Rhaeticus; Exercitus Syriacus; Exerci∣tus Britanni••us, &c. witness Expeditio Ju∣daica,

Parthica,* 1.172 &c. We have likewise the Emperor's Marches, when they went to put themselves at the Head of their Armies, ex∣prest by these words, Profectio Augusti. Ad∣ventus Augusti, when they came into any City. Trajectus Augusti, when they had happily past any Great River, or Arm of the Sea. There is a noble Medal of Gor∣dian the younger on Shipboard, the Reverse of which has Ten Figures. The care they took to exercise their Soldiers, by Discipli∣na, or Disciplina Aug.* 1.173 The Speeches made to them, by Adlocutio Cohortium; the Oath of Fidelity they gave to them, Fides Exer∣citus. I have seen a Medaillon of Commodus with Thirteen Figures.

* 1.1743. Publick Plays, which are commonly exprest only by Palms springing out of a Vessel, or Crowns; and are distinguished by the Legend, which for the most part con∣tains either the Name of Him that instituted them, or the Person, in honour of whom they were performed. Thus we find that Nero was the Author of the Plays that were celebrated every fifth Year at Rome, by the Medal that bears Certamen quinquen∣nale Romae constitutum. By the Legend of Caracalla's Reverse, ΜΗΤΡΟΡΟΛ. ΑΝ∣ΚΥΡΑϹ ΑϹΚΛΗΠΙΑ ϹΩΤΗΡΙΑ ΙϹΘ ΠΥΘΙΑ. We learn that at Ancyra, in Galatia, the same Plays were celebrated to the Honour of Aesculapius, called the

Saviour, as those in the Isthmus of Corinth to the Honour of Apollo. 'Tis but seeing what M. Morel hath related of it in the Pro∣ject he has given us of the Noblest Design that ever was formed for the Satisfaction of the Curious.* 1.175

* 1.176You will find in that Project the Legend of the Principal Plays of the Ancients, and the Learned Discourse which M. Spanhei∣mius has made upon this Subject. KABEI∣PIA are those made in Thessaly, held in honour of the Cabiri. ΘΕΟΓΑΜΙΑ, Those that were chiefly celebrated in Sicily in ho∣nour of Pluto's and Proserpina's Mariage. ϹΕΟΥΗΡΕΙΑ. Those instituted by Sep∣timius Severus. ΚΟΜΟΔΕΙΑ, Those made by the Appointment of Commodus, &c.

* 1.1774. Publick Vows made for the Emperor every five or ten years, may be placed as well among the Legends, as among the In∣scriptions, since they are oftner found wrote round the Medal, than in the Field, at least in the Higher Empire; for in the Lower it is not so. Witness the Medal of M. Au∣relius the Younger, where the Reverse re∣presents the Vows made at his Mariage▪ Vota publica.* 1.178 Witness the Medal of Anto∣ninus, Vota suscepta Decennalia, and in the other ten years after, Vota Decennalium. In the Lower Empire we find nothing else but these sorts of Vows, which they endeavoured

still to carry on further than the term, and express it by the word Multis; as for in∣stance, Vota X. multis XX. or by That of Sic; as Sic X. Sic XX. Indeed I never found any beyond XXXX. which shews that None of those Princes reigned forty years, All of them contributing to verify that Oracle of the Philosopher, Omnis po∣tentatus vita brevis.

M. Du Cange has extreamly well ex∣plained whatever relates to Votive Medals, as he calls them. He tells us, That when Augustus, (pretending to be willing to quit the Empire) at the Request of the Senate, had twice consented to continue his Go∣vernment for Ten years, they began at every ten years to make publick Prayers, Sacrifices and Plays for the preservation of the Emperor. And, in the Lower Empire, this was done every Five years; and from thence it is, that after Dioclesian, we find upon Medals, Votis V. XV. &c. And this Custom lasted till Theodosius, after whom no such Epocha is to be found. It seems that Christianity being then throughly established, Those Ceremonies that retain∣ed any thing of Heathenism were not thought fit to be allowed. So that the Votis multis found upon Majorianus's Medal, is not certainly the same thing, but a Sort of Acclamation like the Plura Natalia feli∣citer.

5. * 1.179One of the most Curious things which Medals teach us by their Legends, is, the Different Titles the Emperors assu∣med, as they found their Power more or less established. Julius Caesar never durst take upon him the Name of King, or Lord, but was content with that of Imperator, Dictator perpetuus, Pater patriae;* 1.180 His Suc∣cessors drew to themselves by degrees, as it were infensibly, the Power of all Offices. We see them Sovereign Pontiffs, Tribunes, Consuls, Proconsuls, Censors, Augurs, &c. I only speak of Magistracies; for as for Ti∣tles, they became Arbitrary, and the Peo∣ple being by little and little accustomed to Servitude, they suffered their Sovereign to take what Names he thought fit, even those of the Gods; witness Hercules Ro∣manus, for Commodus. Sol Dominus Impe∣rii Romani, for Aurelian. Augustus at first called himself only Caesar Divi filius,* 1.181 then Imperator, next Triumvir Reip. constituen∣dae, afterwards Augustus, and last of all he added to it the Tribunitial Power which made him Sovereign. Caligula kept the three Names Imp. Caes. Aug. Claudius join∣ed to it Censor.* 1.182 Vitellius would never take That of Caesar, nor did he assume that of Augustus till at last, being contented with Imperator.* 1.183 Domitian made himself Censor perpetuus: But after him that Title cannot be found upon any Medals. In the Lower

Empire is found Perpetuus Augustus,* 1.184 but it is not till after Anastasius. I know no body that durst venture on the name of Lord before Aemilian,* 1.185 a Medal of whom Goltzius cites D. N. C. Domino Nostro Cae∣sari Aemiliano, Fortissimo Principi.

M. Morel has told me that this Medal is false and counterfeit, and that it is a Maxi∣mian disguised into an Aemilian; so that this Title must be referred to Aurelian, for whom was coined a Medal Deo & Domino nato Aureliano. But from that time we find none till we come to Deo & Domino Caro. At last it became common to all the Emperors, till toward the End of the Em∣pire, when the Eastern Emperors took up∣on them the Name of Kings of the Romans, ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝ. except those whose Piety would neither let them set their Heads nor their Names upon their Medals, but only that of JESVS CHRIST, with this Legend Jesus Christus Basileus Basileon; and Zemisces was the first that did so. Some of his Successors follow∣ed him. But Several of them would have no other Reverse than the Image of the Virgin Mary, St. George, or some other Saint.

* 1.186I must not forget here the name of ΔΕϹΠΟΤΗϹ. Which the Latter Em∣perors of Constantinople were very fond of. 'Tis a Greek word, and in its original signi∣fies

the Same as the Latin word Herus, and in our Language, Master, with Respect to Servants. It was in a little time made to signify the same thing the Latins ex∣pressd by the name of Caesar compared to that of Augustus; ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ answer∣ing Augustus, and ΔΕϹΠΟΤΗϹ, Cae∣sar. Thus Nicephorus having caused his Son Stauracius to be crowned, he would only take the name ΔΕϹΠΟΤΗϹ, leaving to his Father, through respect, That of ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ. This happened exactly at the time when the Greek Emperors left off using Latin Inscriptions. However, this Niceness did not last long, for the Succeed∣ing Emperors preferring the Title of ΔΕϹ∣ΠΟΤΗϹ to that of ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ, as Constantine and Michael Ducas, Nicephoru•• Botaniates, Romanus, Diogenes, the Com∣neni, and some Others. And in Imitation of the Princes, the Princesses took the name also of ΔΕϹΠΟΙΝΑ, as Theodora, the Wife of Theophilus.

And now while we are speaking of the Emperors of Constantinople, we must not omit mentioning a Title often met with on the Medals of that time of the Family of the Comneni, and their Successors, viz. ΠΟΡΦΥΡΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΟϹ. This word had its Rise from an Apartment of the Palace built by Constantine, that was paved and covered over with a most Deli∣cate

Sort of Marble, spotted with White up∣on a Red ground, and was designed for the Lying in of the Empresses, whose Children, born in that honour, were so called.

It might easily be said here, that the Greeks gave sometimes the Name of ΒΑ∣ϹΙΛΕΥϹ to the Caesars, tho in Latin they would never suffer That of Rex. Witness the Medal of Caracalla the Younger,* 1.187 ΑΝΤΩ∣ΝΕΙΝΟϹ ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ. Nevertheless we have an Hanniballianus that Constantine cau∣sed to be called Rex. M. Spanhemius tells us of some Medals of the Gre••ian Kings, on which are found both together ΒΑϹΙ∣ΛΕΩϹ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟϹ. One of Triphon, and another of Tigranes. He cites also among the Emperors, one of Caius, ΓΑΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΘΕΟϹ ΑΥΤΟ∣ΚΡΑΤΩΡ, which is a most Shameful piece of Flattery. Goltzius mentions Two Medals where Nero is stiled Patron,* 1.188 ΝΕ∣ΡΩΝ ΠΑΤΡΩΝ ΝΕΡΩΝΙ ΠΑΤΡΩ∣ΝΙ. The Samians honoured Severus's Two Sons with the Name of the New Suns, ΝΕΟΙ ΗΛΙΟΙ. Looking upon them as favourable Stars that promised the Empire a New Lustre. It is the Same Medal that was so ill described to Occo, that he has put it down ΝΕΟΓΗΛΕΟϹ.

* 1.189The name Senior is found in the Lower Empire with that of Dominus, in the Sense that we say Lord and Master. But without

concerning my self with the Question, Whe∣ther the French Seigneur comes from the Latin Senior, I am obliged to tell you, That on the Medals of Dioclesian, and Maximian, which are the only Ones upon which I have seen it, it seems to me to signify the same thing as Pater; and this Respectful Term was made use of by the Caesars, whom they had so raised to govern the Empire; and so much the rather, because we always find it in the Dative Case. D. N. Diocletiano F••∣licissimo Seniori Augusto. A Title which they retained to themselves even after they had quitted the Empire; witness the Second Law of the Theodosian Code de Censu, when Constantine and Licinius speaking of Di••∣cletian, call him Dominum & Parentem no∣strum Seniorem Augustum.

* 1.190Philip the Younger, before he was called Augustus, had the Title of Nobilis Caesar, which was continued after him on the Emperor's Sons that were not associated to the Empire; or on Those to whom the Emperor committed the Government of the Empire; As Diocletian, who create•• Four Caesars, Constantius, Maximin, Seven and Maximian, whose Medals bear Nobil•• Caesar; for, as for the Princeps Juventutis.* 1.191 That was a Title given •• the Emperor'•• Sons from the time of Augustus. Caius & Lucius Caesares, Principes Juventutis.

As for the name of Caesar alone,* 1.192 Distinct from that of Augustus, We find it after Ge∣ta, and Caracalla, the Sons of Severus, and his Adopted Sons Aelius and Aurelius. Aeli∣us seems to be absolutely the First in whom the Name of Caesar was divided from that of Augustus.* 1.193 And as the Names of Caesar and Augustus in the Higher Empire were continued to the Emperors for some Ages after, to flatter and indulge their Ambition, as if they had been Heirs of the Grandeur, and Noble Qualities of those two former Emperors, as well as of their Names; so in the Constantinopolitan Empire all Princes were ambitious of the Name of Flavius af∣ter Constantine, who could not be more highly flattered than by being called New Constantine, Novus Constantinus. And to make this Name more Famous, it was al∣ways presupposed to have descended from the Family of Vespasian in a Right Line unto Constantine,* 1.194 by this means making good that happy Presage of the Temple dedica∣ted by Domitian, Aeternitati Flaviorum.

But however, it is very true, that the Name of Flavius seemed, as it were, en∣tirely forgotten after that time, and did not begin to revive till in the Family of Con∣stantine; which being extinct, Joseph was resolved to keep up the Name, and his Suc∣cessors followed his Example. Even some Kings of the Lombards honoured them∣selves

themselves with it, as Autharitus; as like∣wise some of the Goths, as Reccaredus. But it appears to have lasted no longer than Heraclius, and his Son Constantine, at least it is not to be found upon any Medals after that time; I mean Original Medals, and not those made according to the Fancy of Strada, who has given this name even to the Comneni, and Angeli.

The Ambition of the Grecian Princes, and the Servile Flattery of their Subjects, decorate their Medals with a Great number of Titles unknown to the Emperors; such as ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ ΒΑϹΙΛΕΩΝ, Nicator, Ni∣cephorus, Euergetes, Eupater, Soter, Epi∣phanes; Ceraunus, Callinicus, Dionysius, Theopater. They were also much less scru∣pulous than the Latins in usurping the Name of the most High God: Demetriu•• causing himself to be called ΘΕΟϹ ΝΙ∣ΚΑΤΩΡ. Antiochus, ΘΕΟϹ ΕΠΙΦΑ∣ΝΗϹ, ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟϹ. Another De∣metrius, ΘΕΟϹ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΩΡ, ΣΩ∣ΤΗΡ. They made likewise as little Scru∣ple in usurping the Symbols, viz. the Thunder, Horns of Jupiter Hammon, and the Lions Skin of Hercules. All Alexander's Successors made a very great point of Ho∣nour of This.

But being at last subjected to the Ro∣mans, they gave Them the same Title; whence it happens that we seldom find it

any where else but upon their Medals; For very Few of the Latins have the word Deus, in comparison of the Greeks, upon which we find ΘΕΑ ΡΩΜΑ, ΘΕΑ ΣΥΝΚΛΗ∣ΤΟϹ. ΘΕΟϹ ΝΕΡΩΝ. ΘΕΟϹ ΚΑΙ∣ϹΑΡ ΣΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ. ϹΑΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΘΕΟϹ. They likewise stuck not to call Hadrian ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ. ΟΛΥΜΠΙΟϹ, having built a Temple at Athens common to them Both; Commodus had the same name, ΟΛΜΠΙΟϹ ΚΟΜΜΟΔΟϹ; and the Empresses were flattered with the like Titles, being called Juno, Ve∣nus, &c. whom commonly they only re∣sembled by their Galantries. Our Roman Princes, though they were much more modest, yet gave themselves the Names of Great, Pious, Invincible, Just, Wise, Provident, &c. Antoninus was the first that was called Pius;* 1.195 Commodus had the vanity to add Foelix to it, for which a thousand Abuses passed upon him. Sept. Severus having affected the Name of Pertinax, which Helvins had taken to denote his Constancy, he forsook That to be called Severus Pius. Pescennius took upon him the Sirname of Justus. And Diocletian That of Beatissimus & Foelicissimus; and his Colleague in the Empire took upon him the same also in his new Titles, which the Sons of Constantine had Ambition enough not to let them be lost; witness the Me∣daillon

of Constantius, Victoria Beatissimorum Caesarum. Mons. Patin tells us of a Pro∣bus in Gold with these words, Victorioso ••emper. Constantine called himself Maximus, after the Example of those Emperors who had added it to their Sirnames. Armeniacus Maximus, Parthicus Maximus; and Victo∣rinus had that of Invictus. For I am wil∣ling to believe they did not without some difficulty suffer the Names of the Gods to be given them, as Jovi Crescenti, Jovi Juveni, Jovi Fulguratori, &c. and that they lookt upon them only as Expressions of Respect, and the Affections of their Subjects. The extraordinary Merits of Balbinus and Pu∣pienus, joyned to the mildness of their Go∣vernment, gained them the Name of Pa∣tres Senatus;* 1.196 a Title that was afterwards in Flattery bestowed upon some Empresses, as we shall shew anon. These two Princes seemed always so friendly to each other, and lived in such good Correspondence, that they were not contented to fignify it by a Reverse that was common to their Predecessors, Concordia Augg. but their Hands were joyned together upon their Medals, as the Mark of a strict united Friendship, exprest by these words, Amor mutuus Augg. Charitas mutua Augg. Fides mutua. Pietas mutua.

* 1.197Princesses in the Higher Empire recei∣ved also the Title of Augusta, as Julia Augusta, Antonia Augusta, Agrippina Au∣gusta, &c. even those that never were the Wives of Emperors, as Julia Titi, Mar∣ciana, Matidia, &c. Others added to this the Titles that had been given them meer∣ly in Flattery, as Julia, Genitrix Orbis; Faustina,* 1.198 Mater Castrorum, Mater Senatus, Mater patriae, Julia Domna, who was the only Woman that durst call her self Pia, Faelix, Augusta; the Romans not having granted to the Ladies the Quality of the Devout Sex, so liberally as we do.

M. Du Cange shews, That in the Lower Empire, the Emperor's Mothers had the Title of Venerabilis; by this Curious In∣scription he relates, Piissimae, & Veneraebili Dominae nostrae Helenae Augustae, Matri Do∣mini nostri Victoris semper Augusti Constan∣tini, & Aviae beatissimorum Dominorum no∣strorum Caesarum, Ordo & populus Neapo∣litanus. By which it is easy to explain the Reverse of the Medal of Constantine the Great's Consecration, performed by the Heathens, the Figure upon it being Helena, and the VN. MR. signifying Venerabilis nostra Mater.

* 1.199Alliances also were admitted into the Legend of Names, not only that of Adop∣tions which gave them the Names of Sons, but also those of Nephews and Nieces.

To which must be reduced all Alliances of Blood, to avoid making different Titles of them; nor must we forget those also of pure Friendship,* 1.200 or mere Consideration. Such is that upon the Medal of Ariobar∣zanes, King of Cappadociae, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to mark out to us the great Affe∣ction he had for the Romans. And such were the Medals of the Arsacidae, who call themselves 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Such also that of Herod Agrippa, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to shew the steadiness of his Love to the Person of the Emperor Claudius. As the Ptolemy's were called Philopater, Philome∣ter, Philadelphus. After the Emperors be∣came Christians, Nicephorus Botaniates in pure Devotion assumed the Name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

In the next place, we find upon Medals the Titles of Father, Mother, Grandmo∣ther, Son, Grandson, and Great Grand∣son. Caius Caesar Divi Julii filius; Caius, & Lucius Caesaris Augusti filii. Drusus Caesar, Tiberii Augusti filius. Germanicus Caesar, Tiberii Augusti filius, Divi Au∣gusti Nepos.* 1.201 Caius Caesar Divi Augusti pronepos. Divo Maximiano Patri. On ano∣ther, Divo Max. Socero. Divo Romulo Filio. Divo Constantino Cognato. Agrip∣pina Mater Caii Caesaris Aug. Agrippina Aug.* 1.202 Divi Claudii Caesaris Neronis Mater. Diva Domitilla, Divi Vespasiani Augusti

filia.* 1.203 Divis Parentibus ΘΕΩΝ ΑΔΕΛ∣ΦΩΝ ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ϹΟΛΙΜΙΑϹ ϹΕΒ. ΜΗΤΡ. ϹΕΒ. Marciana Augusta So∣ror Imp. Trajani. Sabina Hadriani Aug. Ʋxor. Imperator Maxentius Divo Constan∣tio adfini.

These same Legends also discover to us how short a time the Acknowledgments of those lasted, who having been adopted, or whose Obligations for the Empire were owing either to their Father or Mother, after they had first taken upon them the Quality of Sons, quitted that soon after as well as the Name. Trajan at first took upon him the Name of Nerva, who had adopted him, which a little while after he left off, and retained only that of Trajan. So Hadrian did the like. First it was Ner∣va Trajanus Hadrianus; presently after it was only Hadrianus. So the good Anto∣ninus once called himself, Titus Aelius Ha∣drianus Antoninus, but a little after chang∣ed it for Antoninus Augustus Pius; on the contrary, their Vanity and Ambition made them to keep up Names to which they had no Right, either by Blood or Desert. Thus, for instance, that of Antoninus is found joyned to Six Emperors, as low as Caracalla and Elagabalus; that of Trajan to Decius, &c.

These Proper Names being become com∣mon to a great many, have exceedingly

embroiled the Roman History of Antiqua∣ries, because the Latin Medals have no Epocha's, whereas the Greek Medals be∣ing much more exact in giving the Sir∣names, and setting forth the Years, have wonderfully facilitated the Knowledge of certain Kings, which would otherwise have been very perplex'd and intricate; such as the Antiochi, Ptolemy's, and the rest.

We must likewise not forget here to take notice that the Name of the Magi∣strate under whom they were Coined, is often found in the Legend of the Me∣dals. On the Greek 'tis expressed by ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡΑΤΗΓΟΥ,* 1.204 or simply, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or else 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Titles ΗΓΕΜΩΝ, and ΠΡΕϹΒΕΥΤΗϹ, are also to be seen. In the Latin Colonies the Names of the Duumvirs are found in the Ablative Case.

* 1.205However this Instruction would be Lame and Imperfect, if I should say nothing con∣cerning the Position of the Legend. The natural Order which distinguishes it from an Inscription, is, that it should be round the Medal within the Engrailment or Ring, beginning from the Left-hand to the Right, and this is generally on All since Nerva. But on the Twelve Caesars

we commonly find them from the Right to the Left, or even partly One way, and partly the Other. Some are only in the Exergue, as DE GERMANIS, DE SARMATIS, &c. There are Others in a Parallel Line, the One above, the Other below the Representation, as on a Julius. Some of the same Emperor are posited Croswise, and as it were in Saltire; some of his too are in Pale on the Head∣side, and on the Reverse the Head Marc. Antony. There are others of them in the middle of the Field cut off by the Figure, as on one of Antony's Reverses by a very noble Trophy. There is another of his, where a fine Palm-Tree in the middle of a Crown of Ivy, cuts these words, Alexandr. Aegypt. In a word, there are some upon the Border, as in that of Julius, which shews that this matter hath always depend∣ed on the Fancy of the Workman. But one may be deceived by some Medals, whose Legends are wrote after the He∣brew manner from the Right to the Left. That of King Gelas is after this manner, ΣΑΛΕΓ. Some also of Palermus ΝΑΤΙΜ∣ΡΟΝΑΠ, and that of Caesarea has instead of Flavia, ΑΛΦ, which occasioned some to think it was formerly called Alphaea. As that of Lipara was also unknown by being wrote ΠΙΛ for ΛΙΠΑΡ.

* 1.206I must not forget to inform a young Be∣ginner of the meaning of these Letters, REST, which he will find upon several Medals, and are the Mark of them that Succeeding Emperors restored to revive the Memory of their Predecessors. Clau∣dius is the first, who restored some of Au∣gustus's Medals; Nero did the like. Titus after his Father's Example, restored al∣most all his Predecessors. But Gallienus with∣out adding the REST, caused the Con∣secrations of all the Preceding Emperors to be Coined anew on two Medals, One of which bore an Altar, the Other an Eagle; they are known by their Size and Metal, which is but* 1.207 base.

We will shut up this Instruction with observing, that no certain Rule can be gi∣ven how to place Legends upon Medals. For although it be true, that the Legend is the Soul of the Medal, yet there are some Bodies to be found without a Soul; that is to say, Some Medals without a Legend, either on the Head, or Reverse-side, not only a∣mong the Consular, but those of the Im∣perial also. As for instance, in the Julian Family the Head of Julius is often with∣out a Legend; there are also Reverses that want Legends,* 1.208 especially in that same Fa∣mily, which has a Medal that bears on one side the Head of Piety with a Stork; and on the other, an Augur's Staff enclosed in a

Crown, and a Vessel for Sacrifices, without any Legend.

There are some that have but half a Soul, if I may so say, because one of their sides (sometimes that of the Head, some∣times that of the Reverse) has no Legend. We have several Heads of Augustus with∣out any Inscription, as that whose Reverse bears the Equestral Statue decreed him by the Senate, with the words, Caesar Divi Filius. There are a world of Reverses without Legends, and sometimes too even when they are considerable for the Body of the Representation, and Number of Fi∣gures.

To these I think we may add those that have only the Name of the Mint-master, or the bare S. C. since neither of them con∣tribute any thing to the explaining the Type. Such are Three or Four handsome Medals of Pompey, that have very fine Reverses, and only the Name of M. Mi∣natius Sabinus Proquaestor. Two fine ones of Julius Caesar; one whereof is charged with a Globe, the Fasces, an Ax, a Caduceus, and two Hands joyned together, has only the Name, L. BVCA. the other carry∣ing a Military Eagle, a Figure that sits holding a Branch of Laurel, or Olive, and Crowned from behind by a Victory on has foot, only ex S. C. One of Galba's,

whose Reverse is an Allocution with Six Figures, (which some take to be the Adop∣tion of Piso) is found also without any Legend. The Learned say the Coin is but Modern, and that the true Medal bears Allocutio.

INSTRUCTION VII.

Of the several Languages that compose the Inscriptions, and Legends of Me∣dals, according to the several Coun∣tries where they were coined.

IF we should give this Instruction its whole Extent, that the Knowledge of both Modern and Ancient Medals is capable of, we might very well say, there were as many different Languages upon them as there are Countries that have coin∣ed Medals and Money; and must admit the German, French, Flemish, Italian, Dutch, and all other States where Money is made; and so much the more, be∣cause there be some that are curious of Money as well as of Medals, and have considerable Collections, not only of all sorts that were currant in Europe, but also in Asia and Africa.

But because our Enquiry is after such only as are called Medals in Cabinets, whether they were formerly Money or no, we shall only confine our selves to the principal Languages, known to us

that composed Legends.* 1.209 First, presup∣posing that the Language does not always agree with the Country, since we see a great many Imperial Medals coined in Greece, or Gaul, with Latin Legends: For Latin was always the reigning Lan∣guage in every Country where the Ro∣mans were Masters; and after the Latin became a Dead Language by the De∣struction of the Roman Monarchy, it was still preserved for all publick Monuments, and considerable Pieces of Moneys in all States of the Christian Empire.

* 1.210Greek is the other Learned Tongue u∣sed most universally for Medals; the Ro∣mans having always a Respect for it, and glorying in the Understanding, and speak∣ing it well. Wherefore they were not displeased, that not only the Cities of the East, but even that all others, where there lived any Number of Greeks, shou'd pre∣serve their Language upon their Medals. So the Medals of Sicily and several Cities in Italy, those of Provence, and all the Country called Magna Graecia, used the Greek Tongue upon their Medals. Which makes so considerable a Part in this Sci∣ence of Antiquaries, that it is impossible ever to be perfect in it, without under∣standing the Greek as well as Latin, and the Ancient Geography as well as the Modern.

But in Honour of Antiquity, before I speak for good and all of the Latin and Greek Tongues, I intend to speak some∣thing of the Arabick and Hebrew, because we find Medals in both these Languages, which may unluckily perplex a young En∣quirer, if he has not the necessary Light beforehand to guide him therein.

* 1.211As soon as ever he shall have reflected on the Jewish Religion, which, to take a∣way all Occasions of Idolatry, wou'd not suffer any Image either Carved or Engra∣ven, keeping most strictly to that Precept of the Decalogue; he will soon judge all those Hebrew Medals that have the Heads of Moses, or any other Person upon them, to be Counterfeit and Modern: Besides he will observe at first sight that they are al∣most all of them cast.

I wou'd have said peremptorily that not one has been stamped, but that I know some body did think fit to stamp a few in Germany, and that within this little while; but a small Skill will serve to discover the Coin of them to be Mo∣dern. Thus the Medal of Jesus Christ, though perhaps made by some Converted Jew, is one of these Medals done on pur∣pose in these last Days; and therefore the Curious ought to have no Value for them.

At that time when the Jews were obli∣ged to use Roman Money, stamp'd with the Prince's Image, their own Money was never alter'd, nor did they ever coin the Emperour's Head upon it.

But this hinders not but that some true Money of Silver and Brass which was real∣ly currant in Judea, may yet be left us, whose Legends are either Hebrew or Sama∣ritan.* 1.212 I say of Silver or Brass, because I never saw any of Gold; and the Learned tell us, the Jews never coined such. Of this sort are the Shekles, Half-Shekles, Quarter-Shekles, Double-Shekles, and o∣ther Pieces, which they make ignorant People believe, are some of the thirty Pie∣ces that Judas received for betraying our Saviour.

I do not see why Hebrew Money should not be preserv'd as well as Roman, that fill our Cabinets. The Legend is the same for all, great or small; on one side, Schekel Israel, the Shekle of Israel; on the other Jerouschalaim Hakedoscha, Jerusalem the Holy. The Representation indeed is not always the same, yet however it is commonly on one side a Branch of a Tree spread, which is call'd Aaron's Rod; and on the Other a Vessel to burn Perfumes, out of which a Smoak ascends, and is called by some not over-skilful in these Matters, the Pot that con∣tained

the Manna in the Tabernacle, against the apparent Testimony to the contrary both of their own Eyes and Reason. This is undoubtedly so as to those from which the Smoak comes out; But as to those that bear Samaritan Characters, and are almost all of Brass, no Judgment can be made of them, but by Analogy, because the Vessel is not altogether of the same Form, neither does any Smoak come from thence, but above it some Letters are pla∣ced, to signify the Name of God, as * 1.213Vil∣lalpandus believes, who has most accurately treated of this matter; and maintains that there were never any Figures of Man or Beast, but only of Shrubs and Palm-Trees, or Bunches of Grapes upon the Hebrew Money. He gives us also some, on which is a kind of an Epocha, viz. Tem∣pus Circumcisionis, or some such thing, which causes him to make Conjectures, that I believe have more of Imagination than Reality in them. The Characters of all these are Samaritan, or (as others say) As∣syrian and Chaldean. M. Morell tells us he has seen some of them of the Times of the Maccabees, with the Name of Simon.

* 1.214These truly ancient Medals ought not to be confounded with Talismans, and Pie∣ces composed of Numeral Hebrew Letters called Sigilla Planetarum, which Calcula∣tors of Nativities and Fortune-tellers

use, any more than with other strange Fi∣gures, whose Models are found in Cor. Agrip∣pa; and that their Mysteries may be the more valued, they make use of Hebrew Names and Characters. All this, to speak properly, should not come in with Medals, but only have place with Curiosities spo∣ken of in the Acts of the Apostles; the Su∣perstition whereof the Gentiles conver∣ted to Christ, soon discover'd, and burnt them at the Feet of the Apostles. It is e∣nough therefore that we have given this Cursory Knowledge of them, that so no body may be deceived.

* 1.215But not to separate the strange Langua∣ges, I shall give the second Place to Ara∣bick Medals. There is a great Quantity of them, which nevertheless few People are curious of, because they are all Modern, their make very pitiful, few understand the Language and Character, and they can do nothing in Series's, there being only some few Heads of Mahometan Princes up∣on them. But yet he that has the Skill of M. de Court,* 1.216 may give himself the same Sa∣tisfaction as he has done, in having almost a compleat Succession of Arabian Princes, which he has known not only how to collect,* 1.217 but also to decypher. F. Moulinet, whose Loss all young Antiquaries lament, by reason of his Goodness, out of a cer∣tain Natural Temper of Obliging all the

World in seeking how to divert and please them, had also collected about sixty of them. Besides these, I have seen a good Number at the late M. Carcavy's, which his Son the Abbot had describ'd and got de∣cypher'd by an Arabian: both the one and the other, are at present in his Majesty's Cabinet. M. Morell has caused to be engraven, the best that remain of Saladin's, or, as they call him, Salahoddin, the Chri∣stian's great Enemy. On one side is to be seen his Head, with that of the young Al∣melek Ismael, the Son of Nurodin, which is about the End of the 12th. Century. The Legend is in Arabick, Joseph Filius Job, as Saladin called himself; and on the Reverse, Rex Imperator, Princeps fidelium.

* 1.218The Medals, whose Legend is in the Phoenician Language, shall have the third Place, the greatest Part of which seem to be coined in Spain and Africk by the Sa∣racens; at least the Character comes very near to that of the Saracen Alphabet.

I am not skilful enough to determine whether the greatest Part of them we call Phoenician, are not purely Spanish, as Ant. Augustinus thinks, who will have it to be Latin exprest by Characters formerly used in that Country.

There be some of 'em also in the Ancient Spanish Tongue, as there be some certainly African, Coined in the Times of the Syrian

Kings, and after Julius Caesar. That of King Juba, the Legend of which on the Head-side is in Latin, Rex Juba, and that on the Reverse is in unknown Characters. Some have no Legends, Others have them only upon one side in Phoenician Letters, as that which is said to bear the Head of Di∣do, and on the Reverse a Horse, or at least a Horse's Head; and sometimes a Palm-Tree. The Fabrick is handsomer than the Arabian, but of a less Size and Relief than the Spanish. 'Tis Pity we have lost this Alphabet; and we should be very hap∣py could we at length retrieve it, as the Bishop of Pamiers has given us Hopes of. In examining those that John Baptist Pala∣tin printed in 1545. I find that which he calls the Saracen, to have a great deal of affinity with the Character that is upon these Medals, and by it formed some Words that had a Sense conformable e∣nough for Medals coined in a Country where the Saracens were a long time Masters.

The Reason, that makes me say these Characters are not true Phoenician Let∣ters, is, because they have not the Resem∣blance they ought to have of the Hebrew, as M. Bochart has proved in his Phaleg, where he has very learnedly decypher'd that Scene of Paenulus in Plautus, which hath so much exercised the Wits of the Learned.

It is in this Place that we must take in all the rest of the Barbarous Languages found upon Medals, whose Fabrick is very rude both in Figures and Legends. Com∣mon Enquirers call them Gothick; but they abuse the Name, and wrong the Kings of the Goths, at least some of them whose Medals we have, that preserve something both of the Roman Language and Majesty. Such are those of Theodoric, Athanaric, Theodatus, Baduela, Wittiges, and Teias, whose Make is handsome, Relief considera∣ble, and Character wholly Roman. Such seem to be also those of some Vandal and Gothick Kings,* 1.219 that Ant. Augustinus gives us, as of Gunthamundus the third King of the Vandals in Africa; of Chindaswindus King of the Goths in Gallia Narbonensis, of Egica, Ervigius, Wittizanes; such are those of Reccaredus, Witteric, Swinthila, Recces∣suinthus and Wamba, that reigned in Spain, whose Medals the same Author gives us. On the contrary, those Medals we call Go∣thick, either Gold, Silver or Brass, are ve∣ry pitiful, the Heads having scarcely a Hu∣mane shape, and the greatest Part of the Legends being absolutely unknown; such is that which carries the Name of Ateyla, and some others that were probably of the Huns, Gauls, or Saracens.

Let us now speak of the two mistress-Tongues that composed the Legends and

Inscriptions of Medals, viz. the Greek and the Latin, which appear in all their Beau∣ty, either for Purity of Expression, or Ex∣actness of Character. I mean in the first Ages; for by little and little in the de∣clining of the Empire is also seen the de∣clining of the Languages and Characters.

* 1.220I will begin with the Greek, not only because what remains amongst the Imperi∣al Medals almost equals the Latin, and e∣ven surpasses them in Beauty in some Em∣perours; but also because, generally speak∣ing, before the Foudation of Rome, and be∣fore the Romans ever coined Money, the Grecian Kings and Cities had carried the Art of Coining to that Height of Perfection, to which the Romans could hardly ever arrive, in their most happy and flourishing times.

The larger Greek Character has preserv∣ed it self the same upon all Medals, with∣out any Appearance of Alteration or Change in the Form of the Letters, tho' there was in the Use and Pronunciation. There is only the Letter Σ that could not continue longer than Domitian's Time; for afterwards we find it always changed into C, or 〈☐〉〈☐〉, be it either in the Begin∣ning, Middle, or End of a Word. We find also Ζ and Ξ marked by 〈☐〉〈☐〉; 〈☐〉〈☐〉 by Γ; Γ by C; Ω by 〈☐〉〈☐〉; 〈☐〉〈☐〉 by ••••. We find like∣wise a Mixture of Greek and Latin, not only in the lower Empire, where barba∣rity

reign'd, but even in the Colonies of the higher Empire, the Latin S.R.F. be∣ing put for the Greek C. P. Φ.* 1.221 M. Span∣hemius gives us Examples of it.

Therefore great care must be taken not too readily to condemn one Letter when put for another; for 'tis the part of a Novice in this Trade, to be igno∣rant that Ε is often put for Η, ΑΘΕΝΑΙ∣ΩΝ. Ο for Ω, HΡΟϹ. H in the form of a pure Aspiration, as HΙΜΕΡΑΙΩΝ. Z for Σ, ZΜΥΡΝΑΙΩΝ. and Σ for Ζ, ΣΕΥϹ, or even ΣΔΕΥϹ for ΣΖΕΥϹ. Α for Ω at the end of People's Names, ΑΓΟΛΛΩ∣ΝΙΑΤΑΝ, ΚΥΛΩΝΙΑΤΑΝ for ΤΩΝ, and the like.

Nevertheless the Character retain∣ed its Beauty till after Galienus, after which time it appears less round, and more pinched, especially upon the Me∣dals coin'd in Aegypt, where the Greek was least cultivated. After the Reign of Constantine the Great, to Michael Rhan∣gabes, that is, almost five hundred Years, I find the Latin Tongue only upon Me∣dals, tho' for the most part they were coin'd at Constantinople, except some Greek Characters that may be seen on the Reverses, being the marks of diffe∣rent Mint-masters, as we have said in a∣nother place, or Monogrammes, as we see ΦΚ for Phocas, and ΛΚ for Leo Isauricus.

Michael is the first therefore where the Legend begins to be Greek, and the Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is found, which the former Em∣perours wou'd never take upon them. 'Tis there the Character begins to be al∣ter'd as well as the Language, which till the Paleologi is nothing but a mixture of Latin and Greek, as may be seen by M. du Cange's Byzantine Families,* 1.222 to whom we are obliged for what we know of the most curious Medals of the lower Empire: I should do him wrong if I shou'd pass him by without the Elogium, his profound Knowledge, and thousand good Qualities, deserve from the Learn∣ed, since he never refus'd to communi∣cate with an unconceivable Bounty, to any Body that addrest themselves to him, whatever his Pains had acquir'd; his greatest Pleasure being to help those whom he judg'd capable of any Im∣provement.

* 1.223Latin Medals are the most known, and have preserved their Language best, as also their Character, till the barbarity of Constantinople which we have already men∣tion'd. However its true that about the time of Decius, the Alteration of the Cha∣racter begins to be perceiv'd, which then lost its Roundness and Neatness; so that it became difficult to read, the N being made like the M, as may be seen on the

Reverse Pannoniae, and the like. What is most remarkable, is, that the Chara∣cter sometime after recover'd it self a∣gain, and continu'd handsome enough till Justin's time, when it began again to change, and at last fell into the utmost barbarity under Michael, of which we have spoken. The young Enquirer must be here advis'd, not to take the Ancient manner of Writing upon Medals for Faults in Orthography,* 1.224 nor be offended when he finds V for B Danuvius; O for V, Volcanus, Divos; EE for an E long, FEELIX; nor two II's, VIIRTUS; S and M cut off at the end of Words, ALBINV. CAPTV; XS for X, MAX∣SVMUS; F for PH, TRIUMFUS; and the like; in which the Ancient Gram∣marians will instruct him.

But 'tis time to speak of the Modern Medals, and Money, which every Nati∣on has begun to coin since the Ruin of the Roman Empire, and upon which is to be seen the different Language and Character of every Nation. The French, English, Germans, Dutch, Swedes, Poles, &c. have at present not only Money, but Me∣dals also that may conduce much to Hi∣story. The Abbot Bizot,* 1.225 who perfectly understands the Modern, has shewn the Advantage the Learned may draw from them, both to their own Glory, and

publick Utility, by his curious and most pleasing History of Holland, the most ac∣complisht Work of its kind, both for the Invention and Performance of it. We have already spoke of it in another place; but I cannot forbear to say, it is very strange that for so noble and so excellent a Treatise he has gain'd no∣thing but the Honour of it; and for his Reward has had only the Applauses which indeed have been given him both at Home and Abroad.

* 1.226Upon all these sorts of Medals, Mo∣ney, and Counters, is to be seen the Language of their Countries in its pro∣per Characters, especially on the Ger∣man and Dutch, where the Legends are sometimes of a length unknown to Antiquity. Yet it must be observ'd, that the greatest part retain the Latin Tongue and Character; all the World agreeing by a tacit consent, that that Language is the properest for Publick Monuments. It may be perceiv'd at first Sight, that the Latin Character is alter'd upon several, and degenerated into Gothick, as well as in the Inscriptions and Manuscripts. It may suffice here to remark, that that is so far from being a Sign of Antiquity either in the one or the other, that on the contrary 'tis a certain Mark of the Latter Ages, since

the nearer it comes to the Golden one, (which is Augustus's, when the Ro∣man Language was in its highest Per∣fection,) the rounder and better shap'd is the Character. I shall say no more, since he that would be throughly in∣structed in this matter, may consult the most excellent of our Learned Men, Don John Mabillon,* 1.227 who has publish'd a Work, intitutled, de re Diplomaticâ, where nothing is wanting to make it a Master-piece, and to maintain the Re∣putation the Author has acquir'd to himself amongst Strangers, as well as our selves.

INSTRUCTION VIII.

Of the Preservation of Medals, on which their Beauty and Value par∣ticularly depend.

WE have little to say upon this Subject, but what we do, shall be very necessary for young Beginners, and hinder them from being impos'd on by Traders, who endeavour to persuade them, that the Older and more dis••igu∣red any Medals appear, the more con∣siderable they are. These People that are only sollicitous for their own In∣terest, wou'd fain have us believe, that it is with Medals as it is with Colours, and Military Ensigns, which are the more Honourable, the more they are Tatter'd, and Old. Quanto lacera piu, tanto piu bella, says the Devise of a witty Book, call'd, La Poverta Con∣tenta.

* 1.228But it is not so with Medals, the most Ancient are neither so Handsome nor so Valuable as when they are pre∣serv'd perfect; so that the Round of the Medal, and the Engrailment be

entire, the Figures on both sides to be understood, and the Legend to be read.

* 1.229Indeed, this perfect Preservation sometimes gives just grounds for suspe∣cting the Medals, and it is by this means the Paduan and Parmesan have lost their Credit. Nevertheless it is no infallible Proof that they are Modern; for we have a great many of all Metals and Sizes, that are unquestionable, and are call'd the Flower of Coin, because they are as handsome, as neat, and as entire, as if they but just came out of the Workman's Hands.

* 1.230The value of the Medal is yet aug∣mented by another Beauty, that Nature has only given, and Art hitherto can∣not counterfeit: 'Tis a Varnish that a certain Earth gives the Metal, and co∣vers some with an Azure almost as fine as that of the Turkish Stone; others with a true Vermilion, and others with a certain bright and polisht Brown, ex∣celling that of our Copper-Figures be∣yond comparison, and never deceiving the Eye even of those that do but mo∣derately understand it, extremely sur∣passing all that Sal-Armoniack mixt with Vinegar is able to give. The common Varnish is of a curious Green, that fixes it self upon the delicatest

Strokes without defacing them, and more exactly than the finest Enamel upon the Metals to which we apply it. The Cop∣per only is susceptible of it: For the green Rust upon Silver Medals only spoils it, and must be taken off with Vinegar, or Juice of Lemons, if you would have the Medal valuable.

* 1.231Therefore when you find a broken Me∣dal, that is, which has any of the following Defects, viz. the Metal ragged or rusty, the Engrailment smoothed, the Figures erased, the Legend defaced, and the Head not to be known, give it no room in your Cabinet, but lamenting the unhap∣py Fate of Human Grandeur, suffer those Princes that formerly made the World to tremble, to soften upon a Goldsmith's Anvil, or under a Coppersmith's Ham∣mer.

* 1.232 orYet if some of these Medals are so scarce that they pass for the only ones Extant, if one side be still entire, and the Legend singular and legible, they deserve to be kept, and want not their Price: For there be but very few Cabinets that have not some of this kind; and we are happy e∣nough if we can have some rare Heads, tho' scarcely to be known: But especially we must take Care not to throw them a∣way for a defaced Legend, when the Re∣presentation is well preserved: For seve∣ral

Learned Men will decypher them to a Miracle; as M. Vaillant and M. Morell, who with a little Industry are able to re∣call the most Unintelligible Words, and to revive the Characters that seem to be most dead.

* 1.233You must take Notice that the Edg••es of Medals, burst by the Force of the Coin, is not a Fault that diminishes their Value so long as the Figures are not hurt. On the other hand it is one of the most certain Signs that the Medals is not cast, but undoubtedly Ancient. Yet even this Sign is sometimes equivocal, espe∣cially as to those that have been stamp∣ed upon Ancient Medals, as we shall shew in the following Instruction: For this will not prove either the Head or Re∣verse to be Counterfeit, or of a Modern Coin, or perhaps either.

You also must take care not to reject Silver Medals, whose Edges are inden∣ted, and are called Numismata serrata;* 1.234 for that is also a Proof of their Good∣ness and Antiquity. They are common among the Consular till the time of Au∣gustus, but after then I never saw any. There are some such of Copper belong∣ing to the Syrian Kings, but there it seems to be only for Ornament, and not from any Necessity, as in the Silver ones, where the Knavery of false Coiners obliged

them to use this Precaution in the time of the Common-Wealth: For in Coun∣terfeiting the Coins of the Mint-masters, they re-melted the Money, and only co∣vering the Copper with a thin Leaf of Silver, stamped it again with much Cun∣ning, which is called by the Curious Pla∣ting of Medals, as we have said already.

Therefore to remedy this Inconveni∣ence, and discover the Cheat, they in∣vented this way of Indenting Medals, and decryed all those Coins which they found Plated; from whence ensue these two things at present: The First is, that Plated Medals are undoubtedly Ancient and Stamp'd, it being no Profit for any one to Counterfeit Money that was cryed down, and out of Use; the Second is, that when Plated Medals have a curious Head or Reverse, they are most commonly very rare and of a greater Price than those of a good Alloy; because their Stamps having been broken, and the Sort decryed, their Number must certainly be much less. The Relief and Thickness giving Occasion to these Pla∣ted Medals, they took Care in the low∣er Empire to make them so thin, that it was impossible to plate them; and this second Way seems more effectual than the former, to hinder the Cheats of false Coiners.

* 1.235There are other Imperfections in the Preserving of Medals, which proceed from the Carelesness of the Minters. For Example; when two Heads, two Rings, or Engrailments, or two Legends are formed instead of one, by the slip∣ping of the Dye or Stamp; when the Letters of the Legend are mixed, defa∣ced, or misplaced, as several are on the Medals of Claudius Gothicus, and the thir∣ty Tyrants. Those are Monsters of which we must not make Miracles, nor build any thing upon; For tho' that's no Hindrance, but that the Medal may be Ancient, yet it greatly diminishes its Value. As for those that have the Head of an Emperour, with some Fantasti∣cal Reverses, or else not belonging to him whose Head they bear, they ought not to be regarded, being only the Effect of the Knavery, or Ignorance of the Counter∣feiter.

* 1.236Lastly, it happens sometimes that the Minter has forgot to use both Dyes, so that the Medal wants a Reverse: This is very common on the Modern Medals after Otho and Henry the Fowler. There are some of these found among the ancient Consu∣lar, and a few in Copper Imperials: We call them half stamped. Their Make may indeed surprize a young Beginner; for instead of a Reverse, they have only

the same Figure as is on the Head-Side, stamped as it were to make a Mould.

I must confess I could hardly ever be∣lieve this happened for want of apply∣ing the other Dye,* 1.237 and rather chose to feign other Reasons to my self, till I learnt from one who understands Coin∣ing the best in all France, that this fell out from the Minter's over-Haste, who be∣fore he had taken the Medal out, that he had already stamped, put a new Piece in, which having on one side the Dye, and on the other the foregoing Medal, was marked on both sides with the same Head on one in Relief, on the other in hollow, but always more im∣perfect, the Effort being weaker on the side of the Medal than on that of the Stamp.

* 1.238We must not forget here to speak something of Countermarks, which young Learners may take for Faults; because they seem a disgrace to Medals, whose Field they sometimes traverse on the Head-Side, and sometimes on the Re∣verse, especially in the great and mid∣dle Copper. Nevertheless the Skilful esteem them Beauties, and enquire very much after those Medals that have them, by which they know the Altera∣tion of the Value, which is shewn by these Countermarks, as we see on our

Sous, that the People call Tappez, from the Stroke which makes the Hole in them. The Misfortune is, Antiquaries cannot agree upon the Signification of the Characters that are found on them. On some is N. PROB. Nota probatae Monetae. Upon others, N. CAPR. Nota cusa à Populo Romano. That which I have seen upon a middle Copper one of Au∣gustus may well be a Monogramme CAR. Cusa à Pop. Romano. I have a Tiberius Coun∣termarked RM, which may be explain∣ed Restitutum Monetae Pretium; But I cannot tell what to think of a little Cop∣per Medal Countermarked in two Pla∣ces NT.

There are some of them also whose Countermark is an Emperour's Head; I have one of Bithynia whereon is three: I have seen others with a Horn of Plenty. As for those whereon we find SC. they labour under no Difficulty.

INSTRUCTION IX.

Of the Knowledge of the Ornaments and Symbols wherewith Medals are charged.

NOthing is more apt to discourage him that begins a Collection of Medals, than the Difficulty he meets, with not only in explaining, but even in knowing what is represented upon them: The Heads are presently known by their Le∣gends: But the Ornaments that are about them, and the Symbols on the Reverses are as so many Aenigma's enough to con∣found one with their Obscurity, who has not at least the first Notions of what is pre∣sent to his View: For this Reason I have designed the present Instruction.

And to render it the more Methodical, I shall begin with demonstrating first what is found upon the Head-side, and after∣wards treat of the Reverse.

The Heads upon Medals are sometimes mere Heads, ending at the Neck; some∣times they are Bust's with Shoulders and Arms; sometimes Figures with half a Bo∣dy. Each of these Positions hath its par∣ticular Ornaments.

* 1.239The mere Heads are sometimes naked, other times covered in several Manners. I speak not of the Princesses, because we can give no proper Names to their different Head-Dresses: They may better be known by the Eye,* 1.240 and express'd by Names that bear some Analogy to our present Dresses.

* 1.241When the Head is wholly naked among the Imperial Medals, it is commonly a Sign that it is not an Emperour's, but some of his Sons, either Natural or Adopted, or some presumptive Heir of the Empire. Such is the young Nero, Aelius adopted by Hadrian, Aurelius by Antoninus, &c. or else these are Persons that never reign∣ed, as Drusus, Germanicus, Antoninus, &c. However, a general Rule must not be ta∣ken from hence; for if we should say, that no body put on the Crown before he reign∣ed, simple Caesars might be shewn us, that were crown'd with Laurel, or adorn'd with a Diadem, as Constantine the younger, and Constantius in the Constantine Family: and if we should say that all the reigning Em∣perours put on Crowns or Diadems, seve∣ral Medals might easily be shewn of Augu∣stus, Nero, Galba, Otho, Hadrian, &c. that had been Emperours, whose Heads are quite bare.

* 1.242Heads covered are either with a Diadem or a Crown; a Head-piece, some Foreign Habiliment, or a Veil.

* 1.243The Diadem is Ancienter than the Crown: it is the proper Ornament of Kings, and did not belong to Emperours but in the lower Empire. It is a Fillet, some∣times more, sometimes less broad, whose Extremities ty'd in a Knot behind the Head, fall upon the Neck. The Roman Emperours used it not till after Constantine, setting it off with Pearls and Diamonds, either single or in two Rows, permitting the Empresses to wear it, which was not seen in the higher Empire, where the Wo∣man's Head was never crowned.

* 1.244The Crowns of Emperors after Julius Cae∣sar are for the most part of Laurel, the Right of wearing such an one being granted him by the Senate, and was afterwards continu∣ed to his Successors.

Justinian is the first that used a sort of a closed Crown, which is sometimes deep∣er like a Cap, sometimes flatter, like the Mortier of our Presidents; but surmoun∣ted with a Cross, and is often bordered with a double Row of Pearls. 'Tis this that M. du Cange calls Camelaucium, and is often confounded with the Mantle named Camail, by the Likeness of the Words, tho' One is to cover the Shoulders, and the Other the Head.

Crowns with Rays are bestow'd on Prin∣ces when translated into the Number of the Gods, either before or after their Deaths: that sort of Crown being only proper to the

the Gods, says Casaubon. However I will not make this a constant Maxime, for I know how many Exceptions there may be against it, especially after the Twelve Cae∣sars. We find no Emperour assumed it whilst living, before Nero, who de∣served it the least of all; Augustus him∣self not having that Honour till after he was dead.

Several other fashioned Crowns are found upon Medals, that ought to be explained: One sort is call'd Rostral, compos'd of the Prows of Ships inter∣laced one with another, and were gi∣ven after Naval Victories. Agrippa re∣ceived one from Augustus, after his Vi∣ctories over S. Pompey's, and M. Anto∣ny's Fleets.

Another is call'd Mural, and is com∣posed of Towers: It was the Reward of them that had taken Cities; as also the Ornament of their Genii, and Tute∣lar Deities: Therefore Cybele, the God∣dess of the Earth, and the particular Genii of Provinces and Cities, wore these Tower'd Crowns.

Those of Oak were given to them that had saved a Citizen's Life: Such are those that inclose the Inscription, Ob Cives servatos; and are sometimes found upon the Heads of Princes.

Some are design'd to Crown them that carry'd the Prize in Publick Games;* 1.245 as at the Games held in the Isthmus of Corinth, call'd Isthmia, where the Victo∣rious were crown'd with Apium, a sort of Parsley, larger and bigger than ours. The Form is to be seen upon a Medal of Nero.

Hadrian in honour of Antinous, cau∣sed one to be made of the Lotus, to which he gave his Name ANTINOEIA, as it is found upon Medals.

The Priests to distinguish their Office, used the Sculls of Oxen, intermix'd with the Dishes that were to receive the Vi∣ctim's Entrails, and with the Ribbons that adorn'd them when they were led to the Altar. They are to be seen upon the Medals of Augustus. That which M. Patin gives us with the Word ΑΡΞΙΕΡΑΤΙΚΟΝ,* 1.246 is of a Matter un∣known to me; but it is visibly a Pon∣tifical Crown. Neither is it necessary to make the Word an Adjective, and understand ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΝ, since being a Substantive, it signifies the High-Priests Dignity, which was defer'd to Augustus.

* 1.247The difference of the Roman and Greek Head-Pieces may be easily discern'd at first

sight: 'Tis the Ancientest Habit for Heads that appears upon Medals, and the most Universal; Kings, Emperours, and the Gods themselves wearing it. That which com∣monly covers the Head of Rome has fre∣quently two Wings, like the Petasus of Mercury. Some Kings have it adorn'd with Jupiter Hammon's-Horns, or a Bulls only, or a Ram's, to denote their extra∣ordinary Strength.

* 1.248The foreign Habiliments are the Mi∣tres of the Armenian and Syrian Kings, and are almost like to those of our Bishops; but sometimes are squared, and sometimes indented upon the Top; such is that upon the Medals of Abgarus King of Edessa.

The Tyara, very like the Pope's, was us'd by the Persian and Parthian Kings.

Some Kings wore the Phrygian or Ar∣menian Bonnet, as it is upon the Medals of Mydas, Atys, and that of Zemisces, whose Reverse contains the Adoration of the Magi, and represents those three Princes in such Bonnets.

Several Grecian Kings affected to co∣ver their Heads with a Lyon's Skin, in Imitation of Hercules, as Philip the Fa∣ther of Alexander. And after their Ex∣ample some Roman Emperours cloath'd themselves, as Commodus, Alexander Seve∣rus, &c.

* 1.249The Veil that often covers the Head of Princes and Princesses, denotes either their Sacerdotal Functions, as Sacrificing; or their Admission into the Rank of the Gods; an Honour that was given them by the Heathens, till Constantine, whose Apotheosis was suffer'd upon the Money, the Christian Emperours not thinking themselves able enough to banish all Pagan Ceremonies at once. But a lit∣tle after, the Princes and Princesses af∣fected out of Devotion, to make a Hand appear coming from Heaven, that pla∣ced their Crowns upon their Heads; this way acknowledging that they held the Crown they wore from God. Such is that of Eudoxia and her Husband Arcadi∣us; Honorius, Galla, Placidia, &c.

* 1.250This seems enough to me to gain be∣lief, that it was not through any Impie∣ty they us'd in the Lower Empire, a Circle that went round the Head of the Emperour, and was call'd Nimbus, like the Circle of Light that is plac'd about the Images of Saints. It is very plain to be seen upon the Medals of Mauritius and Phocas, and some others. This puts me in mind of certain Medals of the Higher Empire, that have the Prince's Head environ'd with Rays like the Sun. On the contrary, the Piety of the Prin∣ces that reign'd after Zemisces, and Ju∣stinian

Rhinotmetus, very often caused them to set the Heads of our Lord and his Holy Mother, upon their Medals, with the Nimbus we have mention'd.

* 1.251The Heads of the Gods, like those of Princes, were either a Crown, a Head-piece, a Veil, a Cap, or some other Symbol to distinguish them.

The Crown of Laurel distinguishes A∣pollo, and the Genius of the Senate call'd ΘΕΑ ΣΥΝΚΛΗΤΟϹ, and ΙΕΡΟΥϹΙΑ.

A Crown of Ears of Corn is the Sym∣bol of Ceres.

A Crown of Flowers denotes Flora.

A Crown of Vine-Leaves, or Ivy, shews Bacchus, and the Bacchanals.

A Crown of Rays parted from the Head, and not joyn'd by a Circle, sets forth the Sun.

The Head-piece belongs to Mars and Minerva; but when it is surmounted by an Owl, it is certainly Minerva's.

The Hat with two Wings, call'd Pe∣tasus by the Latins, is Mercury's.

A Cap without Brims, like our Night-Caps, is the Mark of Vulcan; and the Cyclops, or the Cabiri and Smiths.

The like Cap surmounted by a Star, shews Castor and Pollux.

The Phrygian Bonnet bent at the Point, is given to the God Lunus.

The Bushel upon the Head of Serapis, and all Genii, denotes Providence, that does every thing by Measure, and nourishes both Man and Beast.

Telesphorus the God of Health, wears a Coat exactly like that of our Saylors or Soldiers, that are upon Duty in the Winter.

Juno is often veil'd; but when she presides over Mariages, under the Name of Juno Pronuba, almost half her Body is wrapt up in a great Veil call'd the Flammeum. Juno Sospita's Head is dres∣sed with a Goat's-Skin, the Horns be∣ing on.

There are other Deities that have their Heads bare, with a Symbol, espe∣cially among the Aegyptians. Apis is a Bull that carries the Flower of a Lotus betwixt his Horns, a White Spot on the middle of his Forehead, and a Silver Crescent upon his Head. Osiris has the same Symbol. Isis and Canopus have on the fore-part of their Heads a sort of Flower, larger and more blown than a Lilly; some say it is the Flower of the Southern-Wood, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as it is call'd by the Greeks. 'Tis common to the Canopi, of both Sexes, as may be seen upon some Medals; the God retaining the Name of Canopus, and the Goddess taking that of Eumeny∣this.

The Goddess Spes has the same Flower, but coming nearer the Lilly.

* 1.252I cannot forbear saying something of the Pantheons, which are Heads adorn'd with the Symbols of several different Deities; such is that upon the Medal of Antonius Pius, and the younger Faustina, which represents at the same time Sera∣pis by the Bushel it bears; the Sun by the Crown of Rays; Jupiter Hammon by the two Ram's-Horns; Pluto by the great Beard; Neptune by the Trident; Aescula∣pius by the Serpent wreathed upon his Sleeve.

M. Baudelot, in his Learned Disserta∣tion concerning the Dii Lares, which contains a great many fine things that shew much Erudition, wou'd have these Pantheons to come from the Superstition of them, that took several Deities for the Protectors of their Families, and joyn'd them altogether in one Statue, which they adorn'd with the several Symbols proper to each Deity. He has caused se∣veral to be engraven, as Examples and Proofs thereof.

* 1.253The Busts upon Medals are accompa∣ny'd with Symbols which are peculiar to them, when both Arms appear, as they do commonly upon Medaillon, and upon the smallest Medals of the Lower Empire; for then they are put into their Hands.

* 1.254

A Globe, to signifie they are Masters of the World. This Globe is sometimes surmounted by a winged Victory, pre∣senting a Crown, to shew the Prince owes the Empire of the World to her Favour; and sometimes by a Cross after Constantine; by which the Christian Prin∣ces acknowledged they held their Em∣pire from Jesus Christ, whom therefore they named the King of Kings.

* 1.255The Sceptre which they hold in their Hands when cloath'd in the Consular Habit, (as are almost always the Emperours of Constantinople) is surmounted by a Globe charg'd with an Eagle; shewing by these Marks of the Sovereign Power, that the Prince govern'd by himself. The Consular Sceptre of which we speak, is to be seen from the time of Augustus.

* 1.256Phocas is the first that set a Cross up∣on the Sceptre; and by his Example others quitted the Sceptre, to hold only Crosses of different shapes and sizes.

When they are arm'd with a Head-piece and Shield, they have commonly a Javelin in their Hand, or upon their Shoulder.

* 1.257When they are in their Robes in the Lower Empire, their Sceptre is a Feru∣la, call'd ΝΑΡΘΗΞ, which is a long Stick, with a Top squared and flat. The Use of this is very ancient among the

Greeks, who call'd their Princes Narthi∣ticophores, bearers of Ferula's.

* 1.258In the Family of Constantine, and some others, the Princes are often seen bearing a sort of Standard call'd Labarum; it is a Square, whereon is figur'd the Monogram∣me of the Name of Christ, which was Con∣stantine the Great's Ensign, after he had em∣brac'd Christianity. It has an Α and Ω on the sides, which signifie the Divinity of Jesus, who says of himself in the Revela∣tions, Ego sum Α & Ω, principium & finis.

* 1.259The Thunder that sometimes accom∣panies the Heads of Princes, as Augustus's, is the Mark of a Sovereign Authori∣ty, and a Power equal to that of the Gods.

* 1.260After Anastatius is to be seen in the Hands of the Emperours, a sort of little Bag, or a long and strait Roll, the Mystery of which is not easily found out. Some say it is only a folded Handker∣chief, that he who presided over the Plays, threw out of his Box, as a Sign for them to begin; and that for this rea∣son, the Consuls, whose Figures we have, hold the like. Others that it is the Bag of Ashes and Dust, presented to the Empe∣rour at the Ceremony of his Consecrati∣on, and is call'd AKAKIA, as much as to say, a means to preserve him in Innocence, by the Remembrance of his Death, re∣new'd

to him by this Dust. Perhaps those who say it is only a Roll of Papers and Memoirs presented to the Princes and Consuls, and which they held in their Hands, in order to give them an An∣swer, have as good grounds for their Conjectures, as the others; and so much the rather, because when their Statues are entire, we commonly see a little Box at their Feet, made, as it seems, to keep these Papers in.

* 1.261The Crescent is often employ'd to su∣stain the Busts of Princesses, who hold the same Place in the State, (of which the Emperour is the Sun,) that the Moon does in the Heavens. The God Lunus carries it upon his Shoulders as his Na∣tural Symbol, by the Superstitious Fan∣cies of some who thought the Moon a Male Deity; and that those who ador'd it as a Goddess were always unfortunate in their Mariages, and never were Masters of the House.

* 1.262The Busts of Amazons are commonly armed with a little Battle-Ax, which they carry upon their Shoulder, with a small Shield in the shape of a Half-Moon, call'd by the Latins, Pelta.

* 1.263The Cabiri carry a great Mallet with two Heads; and Vulcan a pair of Pinchers and a Hammer, which are often found upon the Reverses, together with an An∣vil.

* 1.264The Bust of Anubis is known by the Dog's-Head, and the Sistrum of Isis that he holds in his Hand.

* 1.265The Club and Lion's Skin are the Symbol of Hercules; and of those Princes that pretended to be his Descendants, or the Imitators of his Valour, as the Macedonian Kings.

I will conclude with a sort of Busts that go as low as the middle of the Bo∣dy; such as these are found upon Me∣daillons, or upon the large Copper; where may also be seen with them, the Head-piece, Buckler, and Horse held by the Bridle, to signifie Victories gained either in real Fights, or in Games.

* 1.266As Symbols are principally plac'd up∣on the Reverses, without the Knowledge of which we can neither derive from Medals that Pleasure or Instruction the Curious pretend to; so it behoves us to treat of them here with somewhat more of Application and Method.

I observe then, that some Symbols are joyn'd to the Figures, others are found either alone, by themselves, or separated; and others where the Figures themselves serve for Symbols, be they either of Men, Beasts, or Insensible things.

Of Symbols joyn'd to Figures, some are common to several, and only di∣stinguish'd by the Legend; others stand

alone by themselves, and are instead of a Legend when there happens to be none. For there is no need of a Legend to de∣clare that a Figure with Thunder in its Hand, and an Eagle at his Feet, is Jupi∣ter; and that another which holds a Harp, and a Branch of Laurel, is A∣pollo.

* 1.267The Hasta, which is a Javelin without Iron, or rather an Ancient Sceptre, lon∣ger than ordinary, belongs to all the Deities, signifying the Bounty of the Gods, and their Conduct equally kind and efficacious. Justin expresly takes notice, that the Custom of giving it to all the Gods, proceeded from the Super∣stition of the Ancients, who from the Beginning of the World ador'd the Sceptre even as the Gods themselves: Without doubt it was because their Sta∣tues were very rare,* 1.268 and difficult to be seen; for I cannot persuade my self, though the Words seem to carry it, that they worshipped them as real Deities.

* 1.269The Patera used in Sacrifices, is like∣wise placed in the Hands of all the Deities, and often in the Hands of Princes. Of Princes, to denote the Sacerdotal Pow∣er united with the Imperial, by the Title of Pontifex Maximus. Of Deities, both of the first and second Order,

to signifie they had Divine Honours paid them, the principal of which is Sa∣crifice. Wherefore there is also an Al∣tar by them sometimes, upon which they seem to pour out the Patera.

* 1.270The Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty, belongs to all Deities, Genii, and Hero's, to signifie Felicity, Riches, and Plenty of all Goods procur'd by the Bounty of some, and by the Care and Valour of o∣thers. Sometimes there be two of them, to denote an extraordinary Abundance.

* 1.271The Caduceus is also a common Sym∣bol, tho' attributed to Mercury. It sig∣nifies good Conduct, Peace, and Hap∣piness: It is composed of a Staff, which denotes Power; two Serpents, to signifie Prudence; and two Wings, to shew Dili∣gence: All requisite Qualities to ren∣der Men successful in their Under∣takings.

The Symbols which I call'd single and alone, that stand by themselves, are in∣numerable; it will be sufficient here to take Notice of the Commonest of them.

* 1.272The Thyrsus, which is a Spear twisted about with Ivy and Vine-Branches, is the Symbol of Bacchus, and his Compa∣ny, and signifies the Fury that is inspired by Wine.

* 1.273Thunder in the Hand of a Bust, either on the side, or underneath it, shews the Head of Vejovis, that is, Jupiter thunder∣ing and in wrath. This is when it is not an Emperour's; for some of them as well as the Gods, were flatter'd with Thunder.

* 1.274A Branch of Laurel in an Emperour's Hand signifies his Victories, Conquests, and Triumphs; as that of Olive signifies the Peace he has given or preserved to the State. Other particular Plants signifie the Country where they grow; as the Rose the Isle of Rhodes, &c.

* 1.275Two Hands joyned together shew the Concord of particular Persons, or their Alliances and Friendship.

* 1.276Military Ensigns plac'd upon Altars signi∣fie a new Colony, whose Success is to de∣pend upon the Protection of the Gods: I mean a Colony made up of old Soldiers; for this is it the Ensign intends: And when there are several of them, it shews that they were drawn out of different Legions.

* 1.277A Rudder plac'd upon a Globe, accom∣panied with the Fasces, represents a So∣vereign Power. And upon the Medal of Julius, where the Caduceus, Horn of Plenty, and the Pontifical Cap are joyned to it, it signifies that Caesar governing the Republick, Peace, Prosperity, and Reli∣gion flourished.

* 1.278A Shield signifies either publick Vows made to the Gods for the Preservation of the Emperour; or an Acknowledgment that the Prince is the Security and Pro∣tection of his People. They are called Clypei votivi, and were hanged upon Al∣tars or Pillars of Temples.

Two of an extraordinary Shape are to be seen upon a Medal of Antonius Pius, with the Word Ancilia; which by Al∣lusion to the fatal Buckler sent from Hea∣ven, and confounded with twelve others exactly alike, shews, that this good Prince was Master of the Empire's Destiny.

* 1.279Boxes or Urns, out of which spring Palms plac'd upon a Table; Crowns set on each side with the Sympulum, which is a small Vessel used in Libations, denote publick Games, to which Sacrifices were commonly joyned.

* 1.280A Ship under Sail signifies Joy, Felicity, good Success and Security. When it is seen at the Foot of a Figure, with a Tow∣er'd Head, it denotes a Maritime City, where there is a Port and Commerce: And when it is at the Foot of a wing'd Victory, it signifies a Sea-Fight, where the Enemy's Fleet was beaten.

* 1.281A Bunch of Grapes signifies Plenty, Joy, and a Country of good Wine.

* 1.282One or two Harps are the Signatures of Cities where Apollo was worshipped, as Chief of the Muses.

* 1.283A Bushel with Ears of Corn, and Pop∣pies, is a Symbol of great Abundance, and of Corn provided for the People's Subsi∣stence in time of Famine.

* 1.284Military Standards, which sometimes a∣mount to four, signifie Victories obtain'd by the Legions; or the Oath of Fidelity giv∣en to the Emperour; or Colonies that they established; and sometimes Colours taken by the Enemy, and sent back or taken a∣gain by Force. The Eagle is the principal Standard of every Legion; the others are Ensigns of Cohorts: The Guidon belongs to the Cavalry.

* 1.285A Staff turn'd at the Top like a Hook, is the Mark of the Augurs, and is called in Latin Lituus. They used it to quarter out the Heavens when they made their Observations: sometimes Chickens are added to it with Meat to feed them; or Birds in the Air, whose Flying they observ∣ed: The Augurs thought they could foretel things to come by either of these Ways.

* 1.286A Cap surmounted by a Point crossed at the Bottom, with two Pendants, the Point called Apex, the Pendants Filamina, by the Romans, be it alone, or joyned to the Instruments used in Sacrifices; as a Pot, a shallow Bason, a Sprinkler, an Axe with the Head of some Animal, a Knife, a Trencher and a Sympulum, signifies the Pontifical and Sacerdotal Dignity: The

Head denotes the Victim, the Axe is to knock it down, the Bason to receive its In∣trails and Flesh that is to be offered, the Knife is to cut them, the Pot is to con∣tain the Holy Water, and the Sprinkler to scatter it upon the Assistants to purifie them, the Sympulum to make the Libati∣ons, and as it were an Essay of the Li∣quors to be poured upon the Victim's Head.

* 1.287The Curule Chair is a Mark of Magistra∣cy, either that of the Aediles, Praetors or Consuls; for all these had a Right to an Ivory Chair, made after the Fashion of those that fold together: When it is travers'd by the Hasta, it is the Symbol of Juno, used to denote the Consecration of Princesses.

A crooked Ornament of a Ship, named by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.288 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies Naval Victories, and Ships taken or sunk, sometimes also Sea-Ports, as Sidon, &c.

* 1.289A Chariot drawn by Horses, Lions or Elephants, signifies either a Triumph, or an Apotheosis of some Prince: The cover'd Chariot drawn by Mules only belongs to Princesses, and denotes only their Conse∣crations, and the Honour done them in carrying their Images to the Games of the Circus.

* 1.290A sort of City Gate or Tower, found after Constantine with the Words Provi∣dentia

Augusti, denotes Magazines laid up for the People's Uses: Or, as others say, it is the City of Constantinople, whose Symbol is the Star above it.

* 1.291A Basket of Flowers and Fruits shew the Beauty and Fertility of the Country.

* 1.292A sort of Cheval de frise, compos'd of Stakes joyn'd together, as in the Medal of Licinius, is the Mark of a Camp fortify'd and Pallisadoed for security of the Troops.

* 1.293The Tripod cover'd or uncover'd with a Crow or a Dolphin, is the Symbol of XVvirs, deputed to keep the Sibylline O∣racles, and to consult them upon Occasion. They were laid up at the Feet of the Statue of Apollo Palatinus, to whom the Crow was consecrated; and the Dolphin was used for his Ensign in the Ceremonies of the XVvirs.

* 1.294The Zodiack with all its Signs, and the Sun, and the Moon in the middle, as on Alexander Severus, marks the happy Stars of Princes, and the Conservation of all the Members of the Empire, which the Prince sustains; as the Zodiack does the Constellations.

* 1.295A Scepter rounded at both Ends like a Commander's Staff, is called by common Antiquaries Parazonium, which is a Pony∣ard, or short Sword wore at the Girdle, tho' the shape and manner of holding it, shews nothing less. 'Tis but looking on Galba's Medal Honor & Virtus, where Ho∣nour

holds the pretended Parazonium in the Air, resting, one End of it upon her Knee. That of Titus and Domitian, where both of them hold it against their Sides, and no way fasten'd to their Girdle. I find a Medal of Antonius Pius in M. Patin,* 1.296 where the Parazonium, which he calls in that Place Scipio, traverses the Shoulders like a Quiver. Even upon the Reverse of Vespasian, where Rome armed carries the Parazonium;* 1.297 it is fasten'd no way to the Belt, nor is it of a shape that can be. It is not to be seen bigger than may easily be handled, neither has it that Part of a Sword we call the Guard, and the Latins Capulus.

Besides, I know not what use such a Weapon should have, if, as they say, it is a short Sword without a Point: For not∣withstanding the grave Morality drawn from thence, viz. that the Prince should be moderate in his Punishments, and not put them in Force with the utmost Rigour, the Sword is given him to pierce and kill.* 1.298 Besides what becomes of this fine Thought if they put into their Hands extreme sharp Spears, and sometimes pointed at both Ends, as in the Medal of Antonius Pius, and in that of Elagabalus.

* 1.299A Wheel is the Mark of publick Ways mended by the Prince's Order for Conve∣nience of Carriage; as Via Trajana. At the Feet of Fortune it signifies Inconstan∣cy.

At the Feet of Nemesis, Punishment of Malefactors.

* 1.300The Deities are almost all known by particular Symbols, of which I will only give you the chief.

Jupiter is known by the Thunder and Ea∣gle; Neptune, by the Trident and Dolphin.

The Sea-Gods, Melicerta, Palaemon and Portunus, be they all the same Deity under these three Names, or, be they real∣ly three Gods, have but the same Symbol; for they are represented by a Boy sitting upon a Dolphin, and denote the Isthmian Games, instituted by Sisyphus in Honour of the first.

Juno, by the Peacock, after she had chang'd her faithful Argus into that Bird.

Aesculapius, Hygeus and Salus, by the Serpent, the first Inventer of what is sought for to no purpose in Medecine, viz. the way to make himself young again.

Bacchus is crown'd with Vine-Leaves, a mark of the Joy inspir'd by Wine. He has a Pot in his Hand, always ready to drink, and to make others drink: A Panther at his Foot; because Wine makes Men furious: A Thyrsus in his Hand, and his Chariot is drawn by Tygers.

Canopus an Aegyptian God, is represen∣ted by an Earthen Pot, out of which rises a Head bearing the Flower of Isis. This Pot pierc'd all-about, and the Holes stop∣ped

with Wax, was filled with Water, and extinguished the Persian Fire that consum'd all other Deities.

Astarte, the Goddess of the Sidonians, is seated upon a Chariot, with two Wheels: After this manner they car∣ry'd her about the Country, to get Money. Neither her Name or Shape is agreed upon.

Cybele wears a Crown of Towers, be∣cause the Earth bears Cities. The Lions at her Feet denote the furious Love she had for Atys. The Crotalum, a sort of Tabor, is the Instrument her Priests used, as those of Isis the Sistrum.

Ceres is known by her Crown of Ears of Corn, a Chariot drawn by Dragons, and Torches lighted at Mount Aetna, to look for Proserpina.

Diana by the Crescent, Bow, and Qui∣ver, Hunting-habit, and Chariot drawn by Stags.

Diana of Ephesus has a Figure whol∣ly singular: She has an infinite Number of Nipples, because they looked upon her as the Mother of all things: She is upheld by two Supporters, sometimes having two Stags under her Feet, some∣times two Oxen; upon her Head a Basket of Fruit. All this is mysteri∣ous, but is explained in the Learn∣ed

Work of M. Menestrier, De Dianâ Ephesiâ.

Venus is known by the Apple Paris adjudged to her; by her Son Cupid, that often stands by her; and the Rud∣der given her to shew the Power of Love. Sometimes she has a Head-piece and Shield, to signifie her Force.

Peace is known by an Olive-Branch, or Flambeau, with which she fires a Pile of Arms.

Providence carries a Rod, with which she seems to touch a Globe, to shew that she governs the World.

Plenty holds Ears of Corn in her Hand; at her Feet are Poppies amongst Ears, coming out of a Bushel, in acknowledg∣ment of the Care the Prince had taken to provide Victuals for the People. Sometimes a Ship is seen with it, which signifies Corn brought from Foreign Countries.

Piety is commonly cover'd with a great Veil, either stretching out her Hands in manner of a Suppliant, or hold∣ing a Temple in them, or a Vessel of Incense to be thrown upon an Altar. At her Feet is a Stork; the reason whereof is, that this Bird appears in pub∣lick and private Prayers; and in Duty paid to Parents, whom the Storks nou∣rish,

and are call'd therefore by the He∣brews and Latins, Aves Piae.

Liberty holds in one Hand a Cap, be∣cause Slaves were always bare-head∣ed. In the other she hath a Wand, cal∣led Vindicta, with which the Praetor touched them, to shew he took them out of Servitude, and out of the power of their Master.

Vesta has a Torch in her Hand, as a Mark of the Eternal Fire, under which she was worshipped.

Liberality holds a square Tablet with a Handle, and mark'd with a certain Number of Points; which shew how much Corn and Money the Prince had bestowed. She presides over all Con∣giaries.

Chastity is cover'd with a large Veil, with her Finger upon her Mouth, to govern her Habit, Looks, and Speech.

Security is negligently seated upon a Chair, resting her Head upon her Hand, to shew she has nothing to fear.

Fortune sometimes sits, sometimes stands, holding a Rudder; because the Heathens believed Chance govern'd e∣very thing. She has a Wheel by her side, the Mark of her Inconstancy; and a Horn of Plenty, because she blindly distributes all Goods.

We find Figures without Arms and Legs, which we call Termes; and if we will believe Polybius, this Supersti∣tion came from the Quarrels People had about their Bounds; which being ap∣peas'd, they set up Statues to those Gods they thought presided over their Accord. And hence we have Jovis Terminalis of the Crotonians and Sybarites.

Equity and Money carry both a Ba∣lance. Sometimes Money is represented by three Figures, whereof each has a Furnace at its Feet for Gold, Silver, and Brass; which are the Metals Money is made of.

The Word OMONOIA betwixt two Figures, signifies the Alliances that some Cities made with others, of which they wou'd have their Gods Witnesses and Guarantees.

Two Figures with a Wheel at their Feet, and holding their Finger upon their Mouth, are the Goddesses call'd Nemesis, that avenge Crimes. The Wheel shews their Severity; and the Finger upon their Mouth teaches us not to complain of the God's Justice, as if they spared the Guilty, and only afflicted the Innocent. Lento enim gradu ad sui vindictam Divina procedit ira, sed tardi∣tatem supplicii gravitate compensat, says Val. Max.

Three Figures holding one another by the Hand, as in Dancing, are the three Graces.

Three Figures holding a great Veil over their Heads, in form of an Arch, signifies Eternity; where the three dif∣ferences of Time, the past, present, and to come, are confounded together at the same instant; which is incomprehensi∣ble to Humane Understanding. 'Tis al∣so marked by the Heads of the Sun and Moon in the Hands of a Figure, because these are the two Gods the Aegyptians thought Eternal.

Three other Figures arm'd with Tor∣ches, Ponyards, and Serpents, are the Fu∣ries call'd Eumenides and Erinnies, which scatter Discord, Sword, and Fire all o∣ver the World.

Four little Figures signifie the Four Seasons of the Year. But only one of them is cloathed, which is Winter, for then we arm our selves against the Cold. Autumn has a Hare, because that is the Season for Hunting. The Spring carries a Basket of Flowers. The Summer a Sickle for Harvest.

A sort of great Stone like a Moun∣tain, drawn upon a Chariot, represents the Sun, such as Elagabalus worshipped, according to the Opinion of those who said it was a burning Stone. The Star

which appears above it is Phosphorus, which precedes the Sun, and serves to distinguish this Prince's Medals from those of Caracalla.

The Rising Sun is represented by a naked Figure crowned with Rays, and having a Whip in his Hand, because of the Rapidity of his Course.

Another Stone like a Pyramid, pla∣ced in a Temple, with two Pigeons, represents Venus as she was ador'd at Paphot.

Jupiter was also worshipped under the shape of a Mountain, and was called Jupiter Lapis. Therefore he that was call'd by the Greeks ZEYC KACIOC, was exprest by a Mountain in a Temple: And for this reason 'tis thought Mount Argos in Cappadocia appears so often up∣on Medals.

* 1.301Figures lying along, and leaning upon Urns, are the Marks of Rivers. Never∣theless Rivers sometimes appear like Fi∣gures with Half Bodies swimming in the Water.

Figures lying in Beds denote a particular Ceremony of the Heathens call'd Lectister∣nium, who in great necessities, as (for in∣stance) to stop contagious Diseases, put the Images of certain Deities into magni∣ficent Beds, as those of Apollo, Diana, Latona, Ceres, Fortune, Neptune, Hercules,

and Mercury. Titus Livius will have this Superstition wherewith Arnobius reproa∣ches them, to have began in the Year 356 of Rome.

* 1.302Provinces have always had Marks by which they were distinguished, either in their Habit, or the Symbols that en∣compass them.

Africa has her Head cover'd with an Elephant, and by her a Scorpion, or Ser∣pent, or a Lyon, all which are bred in that Country.

Asia is represented by a Serpent, and a Rudder; which shews it to be a Coun∣try, whither they could not come but by Sea.

Europe has no particular Symbol. For the Medals, whereon we see Eu∣ropa carryed away by Jupiter in the shape of a Bull, are Medals of Si∣don.

Macedonia is attir'd like a Coach∣man, with Whip in Hand, either because they had excellent Horses for Carriage, or else because they particularly honoured the Sun. The Medals of this Country also bear the Club of Hercu∣les, from whom the Kings boasted their Descent.

Mauritania is known by a Horse and a Switch, for the swiftness of its Coursers, to whom they never used the

Spur, nor ever put the Bit into their Mouths.

Aegypt is represented by the Sistrum, Ibis, and Crocodile. And,

Achaia by a Flower-pot.

Spain by a Rabbit, which Creature she breeds in great numbers; and for that reason is call'd Cuniculosa by Catul∣lus. She appears in a Soldier's Habit, with a little Buckler and two Spears, because of the People's Valour. She holds Ears of Corn, because of her Fertility.

Gallia has a sort of Spear called by Vir∣gil, Gaesum, and is attir'd in a Cassock, as also at this Day in a Justaucorps, or close Coat, which is a Military Habit.

Judaea is drest in a Gown, and is known by the Palm she carries, be∣cause she is part of Phoenicia, to which the Palm properly belongs, and whose Name ΦΟΙΝΙΞ she has taken.

Arabia is marked by a Camel, which in that Country is swifter than a Horse, as Aristotle says; as also by the Calamus Odoratus, and the Frankincense, Tree.

Dacia in the Habit of a Woman, car∣rying a Spear, with an Ass's Head, is a Mark of her Valour; the Ancients ha∣ving honour'd that Beast with the Title of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; it being also rode upon in the East by Princes.

Sicily is represented by a Head be∣twixt three Legs, which are her three Promontories. Sometimes she has a Sickle and Ears of Corn, to denote her Fertility.

Pannonia is distinguish'd by two Fi∣gures of Women, cloathed, to shew the coldness of the Country; with Milita∣ry Ensigns in their Hands, to declare the Valour of the Inhabitants.

Italy, as the Queen of the World, is represented sitting upon a Globe, with a Sceptre in her Hand, a Tower∣ed Crown upon her Head, because of the Number of Cities she contains, and a Cornucopia, to signifie her Fer∣tility.

Germany is like a large Woman with a Spear and Shield, longer and narrow∣er than those of the Romans.

Armenia wears a Cap like a Monk's Hood, with a Bow and Arrows.

The Kingdom of Parthia is repre∣sented by a Woman habited after the manner of the Country, with a Bow and Quiver; by reason of the Parthi∣an's Activity, in shooting even whilst they flie.

Cappadocia wears a Tower'd Crown, and carries a Guidon of a Horse, which signifies the Troops that the Romans drew thence. She is also often accompany'd with

Mount Argos, having it either in her Hand, or at her Feet.

Mesopotamia is represented between two Rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, with a sort of Mitre on her Head, says Ant. Augustinus; but if the Medal of Trajan he cites is Armenia & Mesopota∣mia in potestatem P. R. redactae, it is ve∣ry likely he has taken One of the Two Rivers that represent Mesopotamia, for the Province it self.

Great Britain, which is an Isle, is known by the Rudder upon which she leans; and by the Prow of a Ship, that appears at her Feet.

Particular Cities have also their Sym∣bols, upon which I will not enlarge, since they are commonly explain'd by the Le∣gend, and besides because I design to finish this Instruction in treating of Animals, by which the principal of them may be known.

* 1.303A winged Pegasus is the Symbol of Corinth, where Minerva gave him to Bellerophon to fight the Chimaera.

The Phoenix sometimes signifies Eter∣nity, and sometimes hope of better Times, because it revives out of its Ashes.

The Peacock and the Eagle denote the Consecrations of Princes admitted into the number of the Gods.

Capricorn, either single or double, sig∣nifies the Horoscope of Augustus, from which the Empire was predicted to him at Apollonia, by Theogenes, a fa∣mous Astrologer, to whom Agrippa car∣ry'd him. This is the Ancient Opinion of Medalists, but contradicted lately by the Learned, who maintain that Augu∣stus was not born under Capricorn.

The Fishes call'd Pelamydes, which are our Tunnies, signifie the Cities where that Fish was taken in greatest plenty, as Constantinople, where they took an in∣numerable quantity of them.

A Dolphin twisted about a Trident, signifies the Liberty of Commerce, and Empire of the Sea.

A Dog spotted with Red, and a Shell-Fish, is the Symbol of the City Tyre, where the Fish is found that is used in dying Purple. The reason of this is, what happen'd to Hercules's Dog, which having eaten some of them, return'd with his Muzzle dyed Red.

The Shell-Fish is commonly upon the Tyrian Medals, the Dog is found but upon a very few.

The Hart is the mark of Ephesus, and other Cities consecrated to Diana.

The Oxe signifies Strength and Pati∣ence; Peace, favourable to the Labou∣rer; Colonies, whose Circuit they for∣med,

being led by a Priest veiled. Sa∣crifices, where they served as Victims, ha∣ving their Horns then drest with Wool∣len Ribbons call'd Vittae or Insulae.

The Crocodile and Hippopotamus signifie Aegypt and Nile, where they are bred.

The Serpent is sometimes an Aesculapi∣us, sometimes Glycon, or the Second Aesculapius; commonly the Goddess Sa∣lus or Hygeia.

The Cock is the Symbol of the God Lunus; sometimes it is attributed to Mercury.

The Sphinx and Harpy denote the City Gabala in Coelo-syria: One of them is the Symbol of Prudence, the Other of Valour.

The Horse upon the Phoenician Medals is a Symbol of Carthage.

Horses feeding signifie Peace and Li∣berty: or simply a Country abounding in Pasturage.

The Elephant denotes Eternity, be∣cause, as it is said, he is very long-liv'd. It is more certain to say he signifies Games, or sometimes Africa, where there are a great many of them.

Certain extraordinary Animals found upon Reverses, with Munificentia Aug. or Saeculares Aug. signifie nothing, but that the Princes on whose Medals they are, procur'd them from foreign Coun∣tries,

to divert the People, and make their Spectacula more agreeable.

With these general Notices we have here given, there is no body but may apply himself to the collecting of Medals with a great deal of Pleasure and Delight; staying till Reading and Use discover the more hidden Mysteries of some singular Reverses to him, that are reserv'd for the most consummate in the Knowledge of Medals.

INSTRUCTION X.

Of Counterfeit Medals: Of the different ways to counterfeit them; and the way easily to discover the Cheat.

OF all the Instructions we have gi∣ven, none is more necessary for young Beginners than this; for if they study it not with Attention, they will be very easily caught, especially when their Passion for Medals is in its first heat, and they are rich enough not to va∣lue any cost: They see themselves given up every Day to the Fraud and Avarice of the selling Merchants, for want of due under∣standing their Tricks and Arti••ices: They

are also the more easily cheated, by reason that those who understand them best, are often divided in their Sentiments upon certain Medals, which some of them think Ancient, and others Modern; some cast, others stampt; just as in Pi∣ctures, where the most skilful Eye some∣times takes an Original for a Copy, and a Copy for an Original; especially since there has been amongst the Medalists, a Paduan and Parmesan in Italy, and a Carteron in Holland, who have known how to hit the Ancient exactly; as there is found among the Painters an Anthony de la Corne at Rome, and a Cany at Paris, who copy so justly and truly that they deceive one every Day.

To unfold then the whole Mystery, we must begin with taking Notice of the dif∣ferent ways of counterfeiting Medals, and the means to avoid them, that so this Evil may not be without a Remedy: The first and grossest is of making Medals that never were; as those of Priam, Aeneas, Cicero,* 1.304 Virgil, the Grecian Sages and other Famous Persons, of whom the Parmesan and other modern Workmen have made Coins purposely to deceive the young Be∣ginners when they take a Fancy to have singular Medals.

'Tis with the same Knavery and Interest that some extraordinary Reverses, and

those which are capable of raising a Curi∣osity, have been formed. For Instance; a Julius Caesar with Veni, Vidi, Vici, upon the Reverse; a Reverse of Augustus, Fe∣stina lentè, which indeed was one of his good Sayings; but he never thought of preserving its Memory upon the Metal.

This Cheat is easily perceiv'd by all that are not Novices in the Knowledge of Ca∣binets; for the infallible mark is, that all these Medals are cast or stamp'd with a Coin and a Metal which presently appears what they are, that is to say modern, they having neither the Boldness nor the Deli∣cacy of the Ancient.

* 1.305The Second Cheat is of moulding An∣cient Medals, or casting them in Sand, and afterwards repairing them so neatly that they appear to be stamp'd. They may be discover'd either by the Grains of Sand which always leave their Impressions in such a manner as may be perceiv'd upon the Field of the Medal; or else by certain little Hollows, or by the Edges, that are not smooth, round, or so border'd as when stamp'd; or by the Characters which are not free, but thick and broad; or by the Strokes that are neither so live∣ly nor so deep; They are also known by their Weight, which is always less; because Metal melted by Fire rarifies: When on the contrary, that which is beaten con∣denses,

and consequently becomes heavi∣er. Lastly, when a Medal is cast in a Mould, the mark of the Place where it ran in commonly remains, and cannot cleverly be taken off with a File, the Ed∣ges that must be rounded, retaining the marks of the File, which is an Essential Proof of its Falseness.

As People grow every Day more ex∣pert, some in cheating, others in discover∣ing the Cheats, so there is a means found out to hinder the perceiving in the Field of the Medal the Hollows, that the Grains of Sand leave there by their Inequality, which is unavoidable. 'Tis by covering them with a certain dark Varnish, which fills the little Hollows, and they rub the Edges to make them rough. If they can polish the Field with a Graver without Varnish, the Cheat is then too cunning. Therefore to discover them, the Varnish must be scratch'd if there be any upon them, and it will be found much softer than the An∣cient: But if there be none, you must study the Medal with Attention, and the Field will infallibly appear more depress'd, and by a Touch that is something delicate the Metal will be discover'd to be too much polish'd, whereas the Ancient hath some∣thing that is stronger and rougher. Those that understand not this Nicety and the Dif∣ference of the Weight we have already

mentioned, admire how such counterfeit Medals are discovered by the bare handling them.

Nevertheless we must not be deceived by some Medals that have their Edges fi∣led, being set in Metal, Horn, or Wood; they being forc'd to round them that way: For that hinders not their being good and Ancient: For this reason, those that un∣derstand them, commonly say, that some∣times, the Edges justifie the Field of the Medal and that the Field also sometimes witnesses for the Edges, which by Chance have received some Damage.

* 1.306The Third Cheat is of repairing neatly Ancient Medals, so that tho' they are bro∣ken and defaced, they shall appear hand∣some and legible. I know some that do this in Perfection, and are able with a Graver to take off the Rust, renew the Letters, polish the Field, and revive the Figures that scarcely before appeared.

When the Figures are in part eaten a∣way, they fix a sort of Mastick or Ce∣ment upon the Metal, which they after∣wards carve very properly, and being co∣ver'd with Varnish, make the Figures appear entire and well preserv'd.

To discover this Cheat, you must take a Graver, to scratch some little Places; and if you perceive it to stick more upon one Place than another, it is a Proof that that Piece is added.

In the mean while, when the Eye is used to it, you will find some Strokes of the Graver going too deep, the Edges too much raised, and the Lineaments too rough, and ill polish'd, by which it may be guest they have been re-handled.

* 1.307The Fourth Cheat is, (because cast Me∣dals are easily known) to make Dyes or Stamps, purposely of the rarest and most Ancient Medals, which they re∣store a-new, and make to pass for Genuine with so much the more Probability, as it is evident they are neither cast nor re∣handled.

It was in this the Paduan,* 1.308 Parmesan, and Hollander so well succeeded, that their Counterfeit Medals are become a Piece of Curiosity. The Paduan has more of strength, the Parmesan more of Sweetness. The great∣est Part of the former Stamps are fallen into the Hands of Father Moulinet, and are kept in the Cabinet of St. Genivieve. It is certain no Man can come nearer the Ancient than these two have done: And yet for all this their finest and most deli∣cate Manner cannot compare with the bold Air of the Ancient, which has some∣thing of much more Greatness in't. They are known also by their too great Preservati∣on, which renders them suspected, by the Colour of the Metal, and chiefly by their Weight, which is less than that of the old Metal.

* 1.309The Fifth Cheat consists in stamping up∣on the Old ones themselves; that is to say, in using Modern Coins, and taking An∣cient Medals, which they reform with a Hammer, that so they may give them a new Impression, almost after the same way as we do our Money.

Altho' this is hard to be discover'd by a Young Beginner, because he hath none of the Common Indications; yet if he will but carefully mind the Relief, he shall generally find it either too strong or too weak; the Cutting too clean and new, and the Edges not preserv'd equally with the Field and Fi∣gures.

* 1.310The Sixth Cheat is committed upon Re∣verses by razing a Common, to put ano∣ther that is more scarce in its room, which augments the Price of the Medal consi∣derably. As for Instance; an Otacilla is set upon the Reverse of a Philip; a Titus on the Reverse of a Vespasian. This way one spoil'd me a Helvius Pertinax of the large Copper, by putting upon the Reverse a Milo Crotoniates laden with his Oxe; a Do∣mitian, by putting an Allocution of eight Souldiers on it; and a Medaillon of Deci∣us, by graving upon it an Inscription Deci∣ana Caesarum Decennalia feliciter.

* 1.311They have gone yet farther: For that no∣thing might seem repaired, they have cut two Medals, and afterwards with a certain

Mastick have solder'd the Reverse of one Prince to the Head of another, to make single Medals and such as were never seen. They are so cunning in repairing the Edges, that those who are not very Nice indeed are commonly deceived by them.

I saw something more Artificial in M. de Seves's Cabinet, which had imposed upon a great many Inquisitive Persons: It was a Domitian of the large Copper excellently preserv'd; its Reverse was erased, to in∣sert into its Place the noble Amphitheatre, which was also taken from a Medal of Ti∣tus: This was so admirably fix'd under the Engrailment, that it was imperceptible, till an Ingenious Gentleman got leave to put the Point of a Graver to it, which made it fly off.

These false Reverses are known, either by the difference that is found in the Li∣neaments of an Ancient Head, and a Mo∣dern Reverse, be it made never so exactly; or else when they are clap'd together; and they are discover'd by examining the Edges which are never so perfectly united, but something may be discerned, of their be∣ing joyned by the two Marks.

* 1.312The Seventh Cheat is in the Legends, ei∣ther on the Head side or Reverse; but it is most commonly attempted upon the Head side, from their Interest in finding Heads that are Rare, and those that are commonly

wanting in Series's: And this is done in artificially substituting one Name for another, especially when there are but few Letters to be changed or added. I have a Lucilia thus changed into Domitia, of the large Copper; and a Young Gordian transformed into the African Gordian, by giving him a little Beard, and altering the PF. into AF••.

This Deceit is discovered by the Re∣semblance of the Faces, which is never exact enough; but better yet, by the Qua∣lity of the Characters, that are either less neat, or more depress'd, or unequal.

* 1.313The Eighth Cheat is Counterfeiting the Ancient Varnish, which serves to prevent cast Medals from being detected, and to hide the Faults of the Edges and Chara∣cters. There are some that put their Medals under Ground to make them contract, if not a Varnish, yet at least a certain Rust, that imposes upon them that understand it not, very well. Others use Sal Armoniack mixed with Vinegar, Others only burnt Paper, which is the easiest way of all.

This Deceit is the soonest avoided, because neither the Colour, the Lustre, nor Gloss of the Ancient Varnish, which depends upon the Earth, can be given the Modern. Be∣sides, none can have the Patience to leave a Medal in the Earth long enough to take that beautiful Rust which is esteem'd a∣bove

the richest Metal. Lastly, the Mo∣dern Varnish is soft and easily scratch'd, when on the contrary the Ancient is as hard as the Metal it self.

* 1.314The Ninth Cheat arises from an Acci∣dent that sometimes befals stamped Me∣dals, and which has made Antiquaries say, that every Medal with burst Edges, is infal∣libly stamped: For those that make false Medals the better to pass them off, and raise their Credit to their own Advantage, endeavour to burst them on purpose, when they stamp them; or else to crack them designedly when they are well cast.

But that you may not be over-reach'd, you must examine these Cracks with some particular Care; for when they are not deep enough, or the breaking of them is not free, or that they end not with almost imperceptible Filaments, it is a great Proof that it happen'd not by the Force of the Stamp, but by Artifice.

Let us conclude with two Principles that are laid down whereby to know Counter∣feit Medals. The first is almost general with all Antiquaries,* 1.315 who unanimously say, that when we meet with two Medals of the same Coin, without any difference, it is a certain Sign that one of them is false, if not both.

I must confess that this startles me much, because it is to maintain that e∣very Medal had a different Matrix, and

different Stamps, which seems neither probable, nor practicable. I am very glad M. Baudelot has began to declare himself against this Opinion, which seems only grounded upon a pretended Expe∣rience, that is not yet fully agreed up∣on; and which he encounters with good reasons in his Work concerning the be∣nefit of Travel,* 1.316 at the end of which he has given us a very fine Dissertation upon Medals: The curious Learning he makes to shine in all matters he handles in that Book, with a Warmth and Beau∣ty which is the Character of his Style, as the good Humour, Civility, and Wit is of his Conversation; I say, that Warmth and Beauty makes him extremely agree∣able. Nevertheless he seems so much devoted to his own happy Genius, that he heeds not how he destroys by his Example, what he wou'd prove in the beginning of his Book; for having in his first Dissertation undertaken to prove, That long Voyages give the greatest Be∣nefits, he justifies, before he is aware, that without ever going out of his Stu∣dy, a Person may come to the know∣ledge of whatever is attainable, by great and long Travels into foreign Countries: And that therefore Travel is not abso∣lutely necessary to a Man of Parts, who

has the skill, like him, to apprehend in his Closet that which lesser Genius's would never meet with, let them run out of one World into the other, all the Days of their Lives.

* 1.317The second Principle is laid down by M. Patin, whose bare Authority, in the Republick of Medals, goes farther than a probable Opinion. He says, That all Roman Medals of base Gold, are Coun∣terfeit. If he means all Imperial Me∣dals that are of a baser Gold than the fine, ought to be suspected of Falshood, I am of his Opinion; since even in the Lower Empire it is very rare to find Ancient ones whose Gold is adultera∣ted; tho' after the time of Alexander Severus, it was permitted to be Alloyed. However, it might be wish'd that M. Pa∣tin had explain'd himself a little more distinctly; for this seems to me as if it were to be understood of the Greek as well as of the Roman, which are all truly of Ducat-Gold. As for the Go∣thick and Phoenician, I have some that are certainly Ancient, whose Gold, ne∣vertheless, is very base, and mixed with much Alloy.

It cannot also be deny'd, but that af∣ter Alexander Severus, Medals of a base Gold are found, which are truly An∣cient;

so that this Principle proposed as Universal, is liable indeed to many Exceptions.

INSTRUCTION XI.

Some Principles that pass for Axioms with the Curious, and do much fa∣cilitate the Knowledge of Medals.

THE sight of different Cabinets cau∣ses the same thing in the know∣ledge of Medals, as Experience does in Arts. Arts are not perfected without several Observations raised by those that know how to make an Advantage of what Use had taught them. And the Reflections of the Curious have esta∣blish'd divers Notions, which we must not pretend to subject either to Reason or Parity, but must be receiv'd with Submission and Faith: I mean such Faith as reasonable Persons owe to the Learn∣ed, which Theodoret calls the Entrance into all Humane Knowledge, where the Word of the Masters ought to be in∣stead of a Rule, and to be credited with∣out Examination.

Yet we would not require a blind Submission from People upon the sub∣ject of Medals. It is lawful in this Sci∣ence for every one sometimes to op∣pose his own Sentiments, even against those of the most Skilful: For as yet the most Curious have not agreed up∣on an infallible Judge in their Contro∣versies; and the most knowing are ob∣lig'd almost every Day to submit at the sight of certain Medals which they knew not before, and which destroy upon the first view, those Principles they had formerly so advanc'd as indisputable. Thus the belief of the last Age, that there were no true Otho's of Copper, is at present quite over∣thrown by the number of them that come to us from the East, and appear in Cabinets, whose Antiquity cannot be now in the least question'd.

Wherefore nothing must be esteem'd so dangerous, as advancing general Pro∣positions in the concern of Medals, and establishing them as Principles, when the least skilful that way, sometimes are a∣ble to baffle them in a moment, by the bare shewing of some Medals that Chance may have put into their Hands.

When therefore I speak of fixed Prin∣ciples, I do not mean an infallible Cer∣tainty, but only a Common one, which the Authority of the skilful may pre∣scribe;

and we may believe, and affirm upon their Word, without being char∣ged either with Presumption, or Igno∣rance. Such are a great many Maxims scatter'd through this Book, to which the following must be added, that could not have Place in their Natural Order.

Of MEDALS in general.

1. It is neither the Metal nor the Size that renders Medals valuable, but the Rarity either of the Head, Reverse, or Legend. A Medal that is common in Gold shall be scarce in Copper: Ano∣ther shall be very rare in Silver that is common in Copper and Gold.

Such a Reverse shall be common, when its Head is put alone; such a Head com∣mon, when its Reverse being very Rare, shall give the Medal a vast Price. It is not needful to give Examples of it in this Place. M. Vaillant in his last Work has given so exact an Account of them, that nothing more can be desired for the perfect Instruction of the Curious.

2. Some Medals are only Rare in cer∣tain Series's, and very common in O∣thers: Some very scarce in all; some ve∣ry common in all.

Lastly, some are found in certain Se∣ries's only, and never in others. For Example, no Antonia is found for the Series of large Copper, and therefore that of the middle, must of necessity supply its Place. On the contrary, there is no Agrippina the Wife of Germanicus, in the middle Copper, but only in the Great. Otho is Rare in all Copper Series's, but com∣mon in Silver: Augustus is common in all. There is neither an Orbiana, Paulina, Tranquillina, Mariniana, nor Corn. Supera for the Series in Gold, yet they are com∣mon in Copper and Silver: Colonies are found in the middle Copper, scarce in the large. All this is learn'd from M. Vaillant, who has given himself the trouble to mark it upon the particular Medals.

3. It is with Medals as with Pictures, Diamonds and the like Curiosities: when they exceed such a certain Price, they have no Other to be put upon them than what the Desire and Ability of the Purchaser gives them: So when a Me∣dal exceeds ten or twelve Pistols, 'tis worth whatsoever you please: By this means the Otho's of large Copper, are raised to an Extravagant Rate. Those of the mid∣dle Copper are not thought too dear; when they cost 30 or 40 Pistols. Al∣most the same Value is set upon

the Greek Gordians of Africk (tho' they be of the Aegyptian Make) because there is none of this sort but in the middle Copper.

4. Single Medals can never be va∣lued enough: Those are called single which Antiquaries have never seen in the Cabinets, even of Princes; and the Cu∣rious of the first Rank, tho' perhaps they may be in some private unknown Ca∣binets, where Chance has only plac'd them. So the Otho of the true large Copper which M. Vaillant saw in Italy, is what we call a single Medal. The Greek Medaillon in Silver of Pescennius, which the same M. Vaillant discovered in England in the Hands of Mr. Falkner, and which is at present in the King's Cabinet. The Herodes Antipas fallen in∣to the Hands of M. Rigord, upon which he has made a learned Dissertation: The Agrippa Caesar, third Son of M. Agrippa, and Julia, adopted by Augustus, together with Tiberius, which is in M. Seignelay's Cabinet, is a single Medal, and consequent∣ly worth whatsoever he pleases: There is a Greek one to be seen in the King's Cabinet.

5. Altho' Medals are continually dis∣covered, that were unknown before, and at first pass for single ones; yet speak∣ing strictly, those Medals whose Figures

are extraordinary; and which Antiquaries have never talk'd of, may be suspected, and the rather, since it cannot be presum'd they could have lain so long hid from the Knowledge of Antiquaries: There∣fore the Metal and Fabrick ought to be carefully examin'd, that so you may not fall easily into the Snare which those that trade in Medals know how to lay for Young Beginners.

6. The manner of ordering Cabinets depends upon the Fansie as well as upon the Number of Medals, which every person possesses: Princes only can have compleat Cabinets; that is to say, which contain all the different Series's we have men∣tioned in the first and third Instructions: Therefore you ought to confine your self to some one of them, and especially to take care neither to mix Metals nor Sizes.

Of Medaillons.

1. It is agreed on all hands, that Me∣daillons never serv'd for Money, the Work being too exquisite, and the Business too cumbersome: Therefore what Suetonius said of Augustus, must be understood of this sort of Medals; who during the Sa∣turnalia was pleased to make Presents to

his Friends, and amongst other things, to give them Nummos omnis notae, etiam Veteres, Regios & Peregrinos: And from thence it comes to pass, that being never used in Commerce, they have commonly happen'd to be better preserv'd than ordi∣nary Medals.

2. It is pretended that the Senate till Hadrian's time had the Power of coining•• Medaillons of Copper, as well as Money; and for that reason till then we see S. C. upon them: But Hadrian being curious in these sorts of Monuments, attributed to himself the sole power of coining them, to make them the more considerable; and to maintain this Opinion which is opposed by certain Medaillons, that since hadrian's time bear the S C. as that of M. Aurelius mentioned by M. Vaillant;* 1.318 and those of Decius, known to all the World; we must tell you that these are but Medals of the large Copper, some∣thing bigger than the common ones; and that Decius having been so kind as to restore to the Senate the Tribunitial Power, that of Censor, Proconsul, and some Others which the Emperours had united in their own Persons, might pos∣sibly also allow it the Privilege of coining Medaillons, which Hadrian had depri∣ved it of. But this unluckily presuppo∣ses

as an indisputable Principle, that the Emperours had left to the Senate the Pow∣er of coining all the Copper Money, and only reserved that of Gold and Silver to themselves. Now the Difficulties that must be solved to make good this Prin∣ciple, shew how dangerous it is, as we have said, to advance general Propositi∣ons in this Matter; for besides what we have said in the fifth Instruction, which I will not repeat here, if it were true, that the Senate caused all the Copper Money to be coin'd, and mark'd with S. C. how comes it to pass that the little Copper for the most part wants this Mark? There is no good Reason can be given for it: For it will always conclude either too much, or too little: Too much, if we would infer from thence that the S. C. ought to be upon all; and too little, if we would thence conclude, that it ought to be upon none. And what can be said of the Title that the Mint-masters took, Auro, Argento, Aere, FF. Those of the Senate, nor even those of the Emperors, durst assume it: It ought therefore to be shewn, that they did actually change their Stile, and to be able to set down distinct∣ly the time and reason thereof, is what, I'm afraid will not be very easily per∣form'd.

3. Medaillons are known by their Size, I mean by their Thickness, Extent, Relief and Largeness of the Head; so that if any of these Qualities be wanting, it will only be a Medal of the large Cop∣per. This is to be understood of the Higher Empire: For in the Lower, when the Medal has either more Breadth, or more Relief than the common middle Copper, it is made to pass for a Me∣daillon.

4. Very few Medaillons of Silver are found coin'd in Italy, that weigh four Drachms. None but the Greeks, general∣ly speaking, have given us Medaillons of that Bigness, be they either of their Ci∣ties, Kings or Emperors. M. Vaillant in his last Work tells us of an Hadrian, of this same Weight. We have Vespasian's with the Epocha, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: and M. Patin gives us Medaillons of Constantius and Constans, of a much larger Size, tho' of a far less Thickness. In our King's Ca∣binet is a very fine Verus of Silver.

5. We do not find that the Colonies ever coined Medaillons: And it is also very rare to find any of their large Cop∣per, till the Reign of Septimius Severus; but an Infinite Number of the middle

and little Copper are found, which make up the Beauty of those Series's.

Of the Medals of Colonies.

1. All Colonies are Rare in compa∣rison of ordinary Medals, tho' some of them are much more so than others, both Greek and Latin.

Their Beauty consists either in their Figures, when they are Historical and Extraordinary; or in the Country, when they are of some Cities that are but lit∣tle known, and by which some Piece of the Ancient Geography may be learn∣ed; or else when the Dignities and Of∣fices of them that coined them are parti∣cular.

2. When there's but one Oxe or two Oxen, on the Reverse, with a Priest guid∣ing the Plough, or only Military En∣signs, the Medal passes for common. However, those that founded the Colo∣ny, may be known by it: For if there be but a Plough, then 'tis a Sign that only some of the People were sent thi∣ther: If only Ensigns, it shews that it was Peopl'd by Veteran Soldiers: If both Ensigns and Oxen are found toge∣ther, then 'tis as much as to say, both Soldiers and People were sent thither.

The Difference of the Standards also teaches us whether they were Horse or Foot; and sometimes even the Legion to which they belonged, is known by the Name found wrote thereon. Examples may be seen at the first opening of M. Vaillant's Book of Colonies.

3. Colonies do most an end bear the Name of him that founded them; and of him also that either fortify'd, or re-esta∣blished them. All that were called Ju∣liae, were founded by Julius Caesar, Colo∣nia Julia Berytus: Those that are named Augustae by Augustus, Municipium Augusta Bilbilis: When they take both these Names together, Julius founded them, and Augustus either reinforced or repair∣ed them with new Recruits, Colonia Ju∣lia Augusta Detrosa: When the Name of Augusta is before That of Julia, then it is a sign that Augustus repaired that Colo∣ny when it was in an ill State and Condi∣tion. Yet this must not be understood so, unless when the two Names follow one another immediately: For when any other Word comes between, it is ano∣ther thing. This is one of the Curiosi∣ties of the Art that we learn from M. Vaillant,* 1.319 when he explains Colonia Julia Concordia, Augusta Apamaea. We farther learn from him, that the Colonies sent

abroad in the times of the Consuls, be∣fore the Sovereign Power fell into the Hands of the Emperours, were called Ro∣man; witness Sinope in Pontus in Asia, that coined a Medal to Gordian the younger with these Letters C. R. I. F. S. Colonia Romana Julia, Foelix Sinope, Anno CCCVIII. The Epocha marks the time when Lucullus, after he had beaten Mi∣thridates, gave that City its Liberty, and made it a Colony, which Julius Caesar afterwards considerably augmented.

4. Altho' there were Colonies in Italy, yet not one of them ever set the Prince's Head upon their Medals. I have heard talk indeed of the Medal of Beneventum with the Emperor's Head upon it, but never saw it. Besides, it seems to be an Honour reserved to Cities that had a Right to coin Money, and which the Emperors would never grant to any Ci∣ty in this Country. This Privilege of coining Money was granted either by a Permission from the Senate alone, or else by the Senate and People together, or by the Emperours. When it was obtained from the Emperours, they set upon their Medals, Permissu Caesaris. After this manner Sevill and Corduba testify'd the Favour Au∣gustus had done them, Colonia Romulea permissu Divi Augusti: Colonia Patricia

permissu Augusti. Several others have done the like. When it was only from the Senate, they put S. C. even upon Greek ones: And when it was from the Roman People, they also put Δ. Ε. This is the Opinion of M. Vaillant: He adds, that S. R. found upon some Medals of Antiochia in Pisidia, signifies the same as S. C. In effect, Senatus Rescripto meant the same thing; or simply, Senatus Roma∣nus. However, it is to be wish'd we had some Examples for our entire Satisfacti∣on; for what F. Hardouin has said in his Discourse called Antirrhetique, to oppose this Opinion, seems to me to carry great Weight: Nevertheless these Singularities are not without Examples: for without going from Antioch we mentioned, that is, the only City of that Name (there be∣ing sixteen others) which hath always af∣fected to use a Latin Legend. Colonia Caesarea Antiochensis.

5. It is a common thing to find upon Greek Medals the Names of Cities that entred into Alliance one with another, and marked their Confederacy with the Word OMONOIA, as Sardis and E∣phesus; Smyrna and Pergamus; Perga and Sida in Pamphylia. This is not met with in other Nations; at least we see none of their Medals.

6. Among the Colonies those may be distinguish'd that had the Right of Roman Citizens from those that only had the right of Latium, as all Italy. The Right of Ci∣tizens, amongst other things, consisted in a Capacity to stand for Offices of the State, and to hold them as Roman Ci∣tizens. The Right of Latium consisted in paying no Tribute, and a Power to serve in the Roman Legions. The Ci∣ties that coined Romulus and Remus up∣on their Medals, sucking the Wolf, had always the Right of Roman Citizens, and were called Roman Colonies. Those that had only the Right of Latium, durst not make use of this Type. F. Hardoü∣in, to whom we owe this learned Re∣mark, will have it, that they took the Sow and thirty little Pigs, mentioned by Virgil, which indeed served for an Ensign to those of the Latin Country; but I know not whether Examples of it can be found upon Medals.

7. After Caligula, not one Medal coin∣ed in the Spanish Colonies is to be found, but there we have great Quantities of them under Augustus and Tiberius. It is said that That Emperour took away their Privilege, out of spite, because they had coined some in Honour to Agrippa,

his Grandfather, whose Grandson he was pleased they should remember him to be, thinking it a Disgrace to him. This is what Suetonius reports.

8. After Galienus we scarcely find any more Medals of the Emperours coined either in the Greek Cities or Colonies, it may be thought that in the Confusi∣on of the Empire, scarcely knowing to what Master they belonged, they took little care to coin Medals of any; or else that the Privilege was taken away either by Galienus himself, or Claudius Gothi∣cus, or Aurelian. But it is certain we have not one after Aurelian.

9. Not only particular Cities coined Medals in their own Names, to the Em∣perours, but Provinces did the like: So we see Syria has coined some to Tra∣jan; Dacia to Philip; to whom she ac∣knowledged she owed her Liberty. Provincia Dacia Anno 1. A. 11. bearing a Standard, mark'd with the Title D. F. Dacia Felix.

Of particular Medals.

1. It must not be taken for a gene∣ral Maxim, that only rare and very va∣luable Medals are counterfeited, as those whose Stamps the Paduan has taken the

pains to make. Several that are very common, are nevertheless false, especially Cast ones.

2. The Quality of the Metal, and Size, is enough sometimes for the Skilful to judge particular Medals by: So the Gold∣en Gordian of Africa, the Pescennius, or the Maximus, are never regarded, because it is known there are no old ones of that Metal; those that are found thereof being made by the above-mentioned Carteron. A Plotina of the middle Copper will be re∣jected as well as a Marciana, Matidia, and Didia Clara, because it is known that none of them are found of that Size: Those with the Mint-master's Mark of the middle Copper, shall be look'd upon as common; and those of the large Copper may pass for rare ones.

3. Some Medals are very scarce in one Country, that are common in another. Such are those of the Posthumi, of which France is full; but very few are to be found in Italy: Such are the Aelii of the large Copper, that are reckoned scarce in Italy, and yet abound in France. The Knowledge of this is necessary in ma∣king advantageous Changes.

4. Julius Caesar was certainly the first that obtained the Privilege of setting his Head upon Money, and conse∣quently should have been the most de∣sirous of so doing: Nevertheless his Head is not once found upon any large Cop∣per Medal. Those whereon it is found with the Head of Augustus upon the Reverse, were coined since his Death: Therefore all those that are of that Size ought to be look'd on as Counterfeit.

5. There is only one Medal of Agrip∣pa coined during his Life, by the Or∣der of the Senate, exprest by the S. C. whilst yet he had neither the Title of Augustus, nor that of Caesar: For that of Drusus Nero, the Son of Tiberius, was not coined till after his Death, by Order of his Son Claudius, and again restored by Titus.

6. We must not suffer our selves to be deceived by certain Reverses of the middle Copper, sometimes disguised in∣to an Otho, by which several have been abused: Neither must we regard the Per∣riwig that appears so neatly upon the Silver and Golden Ones, and con∣demn all Medals that want it for false: For though it be not found upon the

Medals coin'd out of Italy, however they are not the less Genuine; and al∣though the Paduan has taken Pains to make it very exact upon the large Cop∣per, yet they are not the less Coun∣terfeit.

7. M. Vaillant maintains, that Lucilla the Wife of Aelius never had any Me∣dals, nor was she ever called Au∣gusta. Angeloni and others hold the con∣trary: They ground their Opinion up∣on this, that Lucilla the Wife of Verus had never any Children; whereas three are found upon the Medals of Lucilla the Wife of Aelius; and yet these Me∣dals bear Foecundit. Aug. Moreover it appears, that the second Lucilla had the Title of Lucilla Antonini Augusti F. to distinguish her from the former, which is never found upon those Medals that have the Children. But to decide this Difference, we stand in need of a good Author, who says, that Lucilla the Wife of Aelius was never called Augusta; or else, that the Wife of Verus had three Children: For the Negative Argument decides nothing in this matter: And hitherto Angeloni's Opinion has seemed most reasonable to me, and Mezzabarba was in the right to follow it.

8. The Antonines ought not to be confounded by the multitude of those that bore the same Name. The two that are hardest to be distingushed, are Caracalla and Elagabalus, who both cal∣led themselves M. Aurel. Antoninus. The Skilful indeed do easily know the Dif∣ference of their Faces, and the thick Lip of Elagabalus from the fierce Mien of Caracalla: But those that are less knowing ought to have Recourse to the Star that marks Elagabalus, and the Title of Germanicus, which is only found with Caracalla, though neither the One nor the Other, are always to be seen. The Skilful are every Day puzzl'd by the Greek ones, on which the Heads are less like the Persons; because they have ex∣actly the same Legend Μ. ΑVΡ. ΑΝΤΩ∣ΝΕΙΝΟϹ.

9. A Way has been found out to disguise some Medals of Gordian the Third, into Gordian the African, by al∣tering the Legend of the Head, putting AFR in the Place of PIUS, and making a little Beard upon his Chin: So that some have taken Occasion from thence, to maintain, that this was a Third African, and Son or Nephew to the other Two: But one may easily be

undeceiv'd by remembring that all Re∣verses whereon is AUG can by no means agree with the two Africans, who always have AUGG. So the Aeterni∣tas Augg. Aequitas Augg. Allocutio; Se∣curitas Augg. belong certainly to the A∣frican Gordians.

10. It is no longer doubted that Etru∣scilla was the Wife of Trajanus Decius, and not of Volusian, as was believed till M. Se∣guin's Time; who has prov'd it evidently by Medals.

11: You should know also how to distinguish the Medals of the two Vale∣rians, the Son of Galienus and Salonina, called Cornelius Saloninus, from the Son of Valerian and Mariniana, Gallien's Mo∣ther's Brother, named Licinius. When there is only the Word Valerianus, it is very hard to know them, but when there is either a Cor, a Sal, or Divus, or a Consecration, 'tis most certainly the Son of Salonina; because the Son of Mariniana was never admitted in∣to the Number of the Gods. On the contrary, when there is a Lic. it is al∣ways the Son of Valerian.

12. The Aemilians of large Copper being much valued, a Way has been

found to disguise the Philips, whose Face is very like, and to make Aemili∣ans of them, and so enhance their Price to 40 or 50 Franks.

13. But we are not to reject some Medals, whose Reverses manifestly disa∣gree with the Heads, as it often hap∣pens in the Lower Empire: I mean about the time of Gallus and Volusian, and during that of the Thirty Ty∣rants, who parted the Empire under Gallien. Every thing was then in so great a Confusion, that without ever giving themselves the Trouble of ma∣king New Coins, as soon as they heard they had changed their Master, they stamped a New Head upon an Old Reverse: And it is without doubt by such a like Accident, that we find upon the Reverse of an Aemilian, Con∣cordia Augg. Aeternitas Augg. which had served for Hostilianus, Gallus, and Vo∣lusian.

INSTRUCTION XII.

Of the Course he ought to take that will engage himself in the Study of Me∣dals.

THat this Work may not swell too big, and grow tiresome to young Beginners by its Length, who often are more desirous to amuse and divert them∣selves, than to make a close and serious Study of it, I shall shut up in this last Instruction all that I have to say upon this Subject, of which I might yet very easily make three or four more, viz. what Medals are Rare; and what are the Books that can instruct us and give the Explication of them; and the Way that is to be us'd in reading Legends without other Helps, they being commonly com∣posed of abbreviated Words, which are to be understood by the Initial Letters only. Wherefore it is necessary to give some Instructions concerning this, as al∣so about the Course he ought to take, that will apply himself to this kind of Study.

* 1.320First, He ought to have a moderate Knowledge in History, both Greek and Latin; and that to be drawn from the Springs and not the Epitomies, which will never sufficiently instruct a Person: For he will stand in need of a thousand petty Cir∣cumstances, that particularly relate to Medals, but which are little regarded by those that have not a Genius some∣what bent to this sort of Learning: The more forward he is in this reading, the greater Ease and Pleasure will he find in Medals, which he then will be∣gin to explain by himself, and be able e∣very Day to make some New Discove∣ries; not but that he shall find, when he first begins with Medals, without having studied them before, the same Assistance for History, that we should have in read∣ing the Life and Memoirs of a Prince whom we have already seen and known.

* 1.321Moreover he ought to have studied with some Application both the Anci∣ent and New Geography, that so he may be able to make a Parallel between them. Without this he will never un∣derstand with any Pleasure the finest Me∣dals, which are those of Cities and Co∣lonies, the Figures whereof are for the most part very Instructive and Learned.

* 1.322He must also more than indifferently understand Chronology; and not only

by the general and common Epocha's; but (if possible) by the particular ones of Nations and Cities, which in time he will make out upon Medals with good Satis∣faction.

* 1.323I say nothing of the Mythology and Theology of the Heathens, which yet is absolutely necessary for the understand∣ing of Reverses of Medals, that are commonly charged only with it. This is the Noviciate of a young Beginner, who, for want of this Knowledge, will find himself pull'd back as it were at every Step, by the Symbols that there would explain the Figures to him.

* 1.324If he has not as yet made any Progress in these Sciences, he would do well to begin with Petavius's Chronological Ta∣bles, which are the easiest; and stu∣dy at the same time F. Briest's Geogra∣phy, who has made the most methodi∣cal Comparison between the Ancient and Modern; for these are the necessary Pre∣liminaries to History.

This ought, as we have said, to be his principal Study, in Relation to Medals. Herodotus, Dion, Dionysius, Hallicarnasseus, Polybius, Livius, Tacitus, Velleius Patercu∣lus, &c. should be diligently read over and over again.

In Proportion to his Progress in the Collection of Medals, he ought to read

the Latin and Greek Antiquaries; Sui∣das, Pausanias, Rosinus, Philostratus, Rho∣diginus, Gyraldus, and the like; which will give him very extraordinary Assi∣stances for the Explanation of the Types and Symbols.

But if of himself he has not any great Inclination to study, or that his Business will not give him Leisure enough, yet to encourage and set him forward a little, I should advise him to read the cu∣rious Treatise of M. Spanheimius, de Prae∣stantiâ & Ʋsu Numismatum. 'Tis there he will learn to value this kind of Curiosi∣ty, and gain to himself an Esteem, when Occasion shall offer to disco••rse thereof in Company.

But if he will neither give himself this Trouble, nor be at the Pains to under∣stand the Languages, he may content himself at first with reading the Instru∣ctions we have given him here in this little Treatise, which may make him seem learned at a very small Cost; and after∣wards he may examine those Books where∣in Medals are engraven and explained, which will facilitate their Knowledge to him, without spending too much of his time. I will tell him some of the most necessary.

* 1.325To understand the Greek Medals of Cities, he should read Goltzius in his Sici∣ly,

in his greater Greece, and the Isles. The Knowledge necessary for those sorts of Medals will be found there.

* 1.326For the Roman Families he should get Fulvius Ʋrsinus, enlarged by M. Patin: For sure nothing is better performed up∣on this Subject.

* 1.327For the Imperial, he must needs have an Occo of the last Edition; because Mezza∣barba is imperfect, having reserved the Greek Medals for a second Tome, which very likely may never be published. From his Descriptions may be learned the first Notions of Medals, and at the same time an Idea how to rank the Seri∣es's in a Chronological Order.

* 1.328Tho' M. Patin in his great Work of the Imperial Coins, has only engraven those of the middle Copper, yet much may be gathered from it, for all Metals and Si∣zes, by reason of the great Resemblance of his Figures.

* 1.329But for want of this, he must endea∣vour to procure the Cabinet of the Duke of Arschot, published by Gevartius, with Explanations. Almost all common Me∣dals may be found there.

* 1.330If Oiselius be added to it, his Explana∣tions are better still.

* 1.331'Tis true, these Authors, properly speaking, have only treated of Copper Medals, yet there are some for Gold ones,

as Hemelatius, Canon of Antwerp, who has wrote a particular Volume concerning them. M. Patin in his Treasure has given us a very fine Collection of Silver ones; to which he has also added some Medail∣lons, and large Copper ones: But a far greater Number will be found in the last Edition of M. Vaillant, which is just now published, and will be of great help in explaining both Gold and Silver Medals.

* 1.332M. du Cange in his Bizantine Families has engraven very exactly all the Lower Empire, and has facilitated their Expla∣nation by the learned Dissertation, print∣ed at the End of his Latin Glossary.

* 1.333The very scarce Medals have been fully explained by Tristan de St. Amand, in three Volumes, which shews the Industry that learned Man used in a Work where no body could serve him as a Guide, no Traveller having gone that Way before him.

* 1.334M. Vaillant has collected whatever can be said upon Colonies; and there are no Figures but what may be happily explain∣ed, by studying his Book with Attention.

But the Curious will never be perfectly instructed, till the wonderful Work of M. Morell is published,* 1.335 a Specimen where∣of he has already afforded us. 'Tis there∣in, whilst he employs his extraordinary Genius in designing Medals most admi∣rably,

that he promises to give us what∣soever he has seen; that is, all that can be wish'd for in this matter; toge∣ther with such Explanations as ought to be expected from a Person so accom∣plished as he is in this kind of Study.

But whilst we are waiting for this great Masterpiece, which all the learned that are curious in this Way do so ear∣nestly wish and long for; because most of the rare Medals cannot be explained but by the Ancient Geography, there must be some Pains taken in studying diligently F.* 1.336 Hardouin's Book Nummi antiqui Populorum & Ʋrbium illustrati, and his Antirrhetique, which contains a World of useful matters to be instru∣cted in; and so much the rather, be∣cause no body besides himself has un∣dertaken to explain all the Greek Me∣dals. Mezzabarba not having touched upon them; and M. Vaillant having on∣ly given us the Latin Colonies.

A great many things do embarass and hinder a young Beginner, if he hath not at first a general Knowledge of Me∣dals. Let him therefore begin with the Dialogues of Antonius Augustinus,* 1.337 which are as so many Lessons capable to instruct him. Next he will find great Help from Goltzius his Thesaurus,* 1.338 where Things are reduced to certain Heads,

which will teach him the Elements of this Science.

He will there find the commonest Ab∣breviations, without which nothing of the Legends can be understood; he will there meet with the Names and Sirnames of all the Emperours which are for the most Part express'd only by the Initi∣al Letters. The Names of Offices and Magistracies, which are never found but in Breviature. That will be enough to put him into the Way, till he can get Ʋrsatus,* 1.339 that great Repertory of the La∣tin Abbreviations.

* 1.340Medals that are very rare and scarce, ought to be known, that so we may not let them escape us when ever we meet with them; and that we may know how to esteem those that deserve it. M. Vaillant has published a most cu∣rious Piece, which contains the Rarity of every one in particular.* 1.341 M. Baude∣lot has also taken the Pains to mark those that are rare as Heads.

* 1.342It is not easie to determine any thing concerning the Price and Value of Me∣dals: For to speak properly, it only depends upon the Disposition of the Seller and Buyer. For this being a no∣ble Curiosity, belonging only to Gen∣tlemen that are fond this way, an ea∣ger Buyer never considers the exces∣sive

Price of a Medal, which he finds very scarce and fine, well preserved, and necessary to compleat one of his Series's. It likewise depends upon the Courtesie of the Seller, who often pre∣fers the Satisfaction of an Excellent Per∣son before his own Interest; and is o∣ver joyed he can accommodate him with a Medal he sees he is fond of, with∣out taking all the Advantages of him he might.

* 1.343The Curious Enquirers after the mo∣dern Medals may perhaps complain that I have said so little of them in the first Instruction. It is not because I do not esteem this study so much as I ought, which may be easily judged of by the manner I have explained my self up∣on this Subject. Whatever I have said of the Greatness and Majesty of Anci∣ent Medals, I will always do Justice to the Modern, when they deserve it, ei∣ther by the Beauty of the Figures, or the Rarity of the Events, which they take Notice of more particularly: The Singularity of the Design; or by some just and happy Devises, the Art of ex∣pressing which, we have found out, sometimes in a serious Air, sometimes in an ingenious Raillery,* 1.344 whereof I ne∣ver observed the least touch in any of the Ancient, unless on that of Gallien,

Gallienae Augustae, Pax ubique: When by his Carelesness and Insensibility the Em∣pire was torn to pieces by the thirty Tyrants.

The Order in modern Series's is Ar∣bitrary.

* 1.345After those of the Popes, Emperours and German Princes, the Kings of France; of which we have already spoken, and other Illustrious Persons of that Kingdom, we generally place the Me∣dals of the Kings of Spain, Portugal, and the Spanish Netherlands.

The Northern Crowns come next, England, Swedeland, Denmark, Poland, whose Medals for the most part, are but of our Age. Italy has the sixth Place: The most Ancient are those of Sicily, Milan and Florence, and are all cast. Such are the Medals of Rena∣tus and Alphonsus, Kings of Sicily; of Francis Sforza, Duke of Milan; and of the Great Cosmo de Medicis: There be also some of Venice, Genoua and o∣ther States.

Lastly, Holland deserves, by the great Number of Medals she has coined, to make one Alone of the Seven Parts, which compose Cabinets: She begins with the famous Medal, coined in 1566, whereon the Chief of the Revolters caused a Bag to be stamped, by Rea∣son

of the Name of† 1.346 Gueux, given them in Scorn, and which they affected to preserve.

* 1.347Hitherto we have very few Books that treat of the modern, there be∣ing not so much Occasion for these, as for the Ancient, because they are easily to be learn'd, by a small Insight into their Histories. However, to under∣stand them, one may make use of Lu∣kius, Typotius and la France Metal∣lique, with the Precautions we have already mentioned, because most of these Medals, are made, as we say, à Plasir of F. du Moulinet for the Popes; and the Abbot Bizot for Holland.

These are the Instructions which seem most necessary, to acquire in a short time the Knowledge of Medals, to teach him the Tricks and Artifices of those that sell them, and to put him into a way of making a Cabinet: But this Science is of Extent enough to furnish matter still for several useful and ex∣cellent Observations; but my Design was only to lay down the first Princi∣ples of it, which, if they were not short and easie, would discourage young Be∣ginners. Their Success cannot but be happy, because they neither clog the Understanding nor the Memory; and if they cannot gain the Esteem that great

Works draw to themselves, they may yet be read over, without Wearisome∣ness and Disgust.

I dare even hope I shall have some Thanks for having first publish'd these Elements in some Order, and Perspicui∣ty; and for having advanc'd nothing but what is conformable to the Sentiments of the most Learned Masters, both in the Ancient and Modern Medals.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Use of Metals.
• * 1.2

  The use of Money.
• * 1.3

  Greek Me∣dals.
• * 1.4

  Ancient Latin Me∣dals. Consular.
• * 1.5

  Imperial.
• * 1.6

  The High∣er Empire.
• * 1.7

  The Low∣er Empire.
• * 1.8

  Modern Medals.
• * 1.9

  The French King.
• * 1.10

  Modern use.
• * 1.11

  Popes.
• * 1.12

  Scanda∣lous Me∣dals of the Popes.
• * 1.13

  Emperors.
• * 1.14

  Kings of France.
• * 1.15

  M. Harlay.
• * 1.16

  The Life o•• Lewis the Great.
• * 1.17

  Father Me∣nestrier's History.
• * 1.18

  The Cabi∣net of M. Seignelay.
• * 1.19

  The Me∣dals of Illustrious Men.
• * 1.20

  Golden Medals.
• * 1.21

  Silver Medals.
• * 1.22

  Potin.
• * 1.23

  Medals of a base Metal.
• † 1.24

  Billon.
• * 1.25

  Medals wash'd over with Silver.
• * 1.26

  Plated.
• * 1.27

  Copper Med.
• * 1.28

  2. p. ch. 17.
• * 1.29

  Medals of red and yellow Copper.
• * 1.30

  Medals of Corinthian Brass.
• * 1.31

  2. p. ch. 17.
• * 1.32

  Medals of two different Coppers.
• * 1.33

  Medals of Lead.
• * 1.34

  Medals of Iron.
• * 1.35

  Medail∣lons.
• * 1.36

  Mr. Morel.
• * 1.37

  Contur∣niate.
• * 1.38

  Silver Medail∣lons.
• * 1.39

  Medail∣lons of Gold.
• * 1.40

  Medals of Cop∣per, and their dif∣ferent sizes.
• * 1.41

  Order of the great Copper.
• * 1.42

  Of the middle Copper.
• * 1.43

  Order of the little Copper.
• * 1.44

  Mr. du Cange.
• * 1.45

  Medals of the Low Emp.
• * 1.46

  Opus pisani pictoris, Opus Bol∣ducis.
• * 1.47

  Medals without Reverses.
• * 1.48

  1st. Order of the Kings.
• * 1.49

  The Kings of Mons••••. Vaillant.
• * 1.50

  Grecian Kings.
• * 1.51

  Kings of the Goths.
• * 1.52

  Kings of France.
• * 1.53

  Dissert 23.
• * 1.54

  2. Order. Cities.
• * 1.55

  Goltzius his Me∣dals.
• * 1.56

  His Repu∣tation a∣mong the Antiqua∣ries.
• * 1.57

  Colonies.
• * 1.58

  F. Hartiou∣in's Book.
• * 1.59

  M. Vail∣lant's Co∣lonies.
• * 1.60

  3. Order. Families.
• * 1.61

  Heads up∣on the Consular Medals.
• * 1.62

  The first way of forming the Series of Consu∣lar Fami∣lies.
• * 1.63

  The se∣cond way.
• * 1.64

  Why cal∣led Con∣sular.
• * 1.65

  4. Order. The Im∣perial.
• * 1.66

  Occo's Work.
• * 1.67

  That of Mezza Bar∣ba, at Mi∣lan, 1683.
• * 1.68

  M. Patin's Work.
• * 1.69

  5. Order. The Dei∣ties.
• * 1.70

  6. Order. Illustrious Persons.
• * 1.71

  Medals with seve∣ral Heads.
• * 1.72

  Adversa.
• * 1.73

  Jugata.
• * 1.74

  The first Medals how marked.
• * 1.75

  Is primus signavit Aes. Plin.
• * 1.76

  How mark'd in the Con∣suls time.
• * 1.77

  The Sym∣pulum was a small Vessel used for Libations.
• * 1.78

  How stamp'd in the time of the Em∣pire.
• * 1.79

  Middle Copper of Monsieur Patia.
• * 1.80

  F. Chamil∣lard brought it upon his return from his Voyage to the Pyre∣nees.
• * 1.81

  The beau∣ty of the Reverse, whence it is.
• * 1.82

  Inscripti∣ons.
• * 1.83

  Epocha's.
• * 1.84

  Great Oc∣currences.
• * 1.85

  Titles of Honour.
• * 1.86

  In the Ca∣binet of the Duke of Arschot.
• * 1.87

  Particular benefits.
• * 1.88

  Single Names only.
• * 1.89

  In Mon∣sieur du Cange, t. 5.
• * 1.90

  Ib. t. 1. Ib. t. 10.
• * 1.91

  Monogram∣mes.
• * 1.92

  Figures.
• * 1.93

  Heads.
• * 1.94

  In the Ca∣binet of the Duke of Arj••••ot.
• * 1.95

  The Me∣dals of Monsieur Pamiez.
• * 1.96

  Publick Monu∣ments.
• * 1.97

  Animals.
• * 1.98

  Leg. XXX. Ulpi•• III. Italica. II. Adju∣••rix.
• * 1.99

  In the Thou∣sandth Year from the foun∣dation of Rome.
• * 1.100

  Archole∣••as.
• * 1.101

  The Works of Monsieur Spanhe••mi∣us.
• * 1.102

  Princes and Prin∣cesses up∣on the Reverse.
• * 1.103

  Two ways of ranking them ac∣cording to their Re∣verses.
• * 1.104

  Printed at Antwerp. 100 CXV••••.
• * 1.105

  Antonius Augustinus. Book of Oiselius.
• * 1.106

  Reverses of Meda∣illons.
• * 1.107

  The Ex∣ergue is a part of the Field di∣vided from the rest in this man∣ner.

  [illustration]
• * 1.108

  Different Epocha's of Cities.
• * 1.109

  Printed at Florence, 1690.
• * 1.110

  Of Offi∣ces.
• * 1.111

  Of Re••gns.
• * 1.112

  Page 72.
• * 1.113

  Colonies.
• * 1.114

  In Maesia.
• * 1.115

  Age.
• * 1.116

  Disserta∣tion of Monsieur Toynard.
• * 1.117

  Neocores.
• * 1.118

  The way of setting down their Epo∣cha's.
• * 1.119

  Monsieur Patin.
• * 1.120

  44.
• * 1.121

  229.
• * 1.122

  Indicti∣ons.
• * 1.123

  The signi∣fication of S. C. & Δ. E.
• * 1.124

  History of Medals.
• * 1.125

  In his Treasure, p. 127. Tribun. Potestat.
• * 1.126

  Vaillant, Tom. 1.
• * 1.127

  Tiberius.
• * 1.128

  Drusus.
• * 1.129

  The Names of Cities.
• * 1.130

  [illustration]

  P.T
• * 1.131

  Mint-ma∣ster's Marks.
• * 1.132

  F. Hardouin in his Antirrhe∣tique, p. 16, 17.
• * 1.133

  Marks of the Value of Money.
• * 1.134

  The altering of the Va∣lue.
• * 1.135

  Tiberius. Constant. Phocas.
• * 1.136

  The diffe∣rence be∣twixt the Legend and the Inscripti∣on.
• * 1.137

  Two Le∣gends to every Me∣dal.
• * 1.138

  Offices.
• * 1.139

  Fam. Aeb••∣tia.
• * 1.140

  Fam. Caeli••.
• * 1.141

  Fam. Cor∣nelia.
• * 1.142

  Fam. Aemi∣lia.
• * 1.143

  Fam. Alie∣na.
• * 1.144

  Fam. Anto∣nia.
• * 1.145

  Brave and Noble A∣ctions.
• * 1.146

  The Essen∣tial Relati∣on of the Legend to the Type.
• * 1.147

  Virtues.
• * 1.148

  On Cla••∣dius.
• * 1.149

  Honours.
• * 1.150

  Antoninus. Decius. Hadrianus. Constanti∣nus. Hadrianus. Faustina the youn∣ger. Julia Pia.
• * 1.151

  Consecra∣tions.
• * 1.152

  General Favours.
• * 1.153

  Ma••entius. Sept. Seve∣rus. Aurelian. Hadrian. Augustus. Constantine Theodosius, the youn∣ger. Victor.
• * 1.154

  Galba.
• * 1.155

  Particular Favours.
• * 1.156

  Al. Seve∣rus.
• * 1.157

  Caligula. Nerva. Domitian. S. Severus. Hadrian. Nerva.
• * 1.158

  Certain p••••uliar Events.
• * 1.159

  ••••spasian. M. Aurelius
• * 1.160

  Philip.
• * 1.161

  Publick Monu∣ments.
• * 1.162

  Deities honoured by Princes.
• * 1.163

  Medals of Princesses.
• * 1.164

  Thesaurus Goltzii.
• * 1.165

  In the King's Ca∣binet.
• * 1.166

  Legends of Cities, Provinces and Ri∣vers.
• * 1.167

  Elagab••∣lus.
• * 1.168

  Military Ensigns, Legions, &c.
• * 1.169

  M. Antony's Legions.
• * 1.170

  Legions of Gallien.
• * 1.171

  Armies. Hadrian. Tr••jan.
• * 1.172

  Hadrian.
• * 1.173

  Caracalla. Amonini••. Hadri••n.
• * 1.174

  Publick Plays.
• * 1.175

  M. Morel's Project.
• * 1.176

  Specimen universae rei numma∣riae.
• * 1.177

  Publick Vows.
• * 1.178

  Gevartius. tab. 45.
• * 1.179

  Titles as∣sumed by Princes.
• * 1.180

  Imperator. Dictator. perp. Pater patria.
• * 1.181

  Augustus III. Vir Reip. C.
• * 1.182

  Censor.
• * 1.183

  Censor per∣petuus.
• * 1.184

  Perpetuus Augustus.
• * 1.185

  Dommus.
• * 1.186

  Despota.
• * 1.187

  Monsic••r•• Vaillant hath the Medal.
• * 1.188

  ΠΑ∣ΤΡΩΝ.
• * 1.189

  Senio••.
• * 1.190

  Nobilis Cae∣sar.
• * 1.191

  Princeps Juventutis.
• * 1.192

  Caesar.
• * 1.193

  Flavius
• * 1.194

  It is to be seen upon a Medal of Titus.
• * 1.195

  Pius Felix.
• * 1.196

  Patres Se∣natus.
• * 1.197

  Augusta.
• * 1.198

  Mater Ca∣strorum, &c.
• * 1.199

  Alliances. Adopti∣ons.
• * 1.200

  Friend∣ships.
• * 1.201

  Medals of Maxentius.
• * 1.202

  Hadrian. Trajan, and Plotina.
• * 1.203

  Ptolemey, Philadel∣phus, and Arsinoe.
• * 1.204

  Praetore. Proconsule Pont. Max. Praefecto. Scriba gu∣bernante. Urbem Eph. Legato.
• * 1.205

  The Posi∣tion of the Le∣gend.
• * 1.206

  The Letters REST, what they signify.
• * 1.207

  Billen.
• * 1.208

  In the Ca∣binet of the Duke of Arschot. Tab. 14. Ursin Fam. Caecilia.
• * 1.209

  Latin.
• * 1.210

  Greek.
• * 1.211

  Hebrew.
• * 1.212

  Samaritan.
• * 1.213

  Upon Eze∣kiel.
• * 1.214

  Talismans.
• * 1.215

  Arabick.
• * 1.216

  M. de Court.
• * 1.217

  Father Moulinet.
• * 1.218

  Phoenician.
• * 1.219

  Dialog. 6. and 7.
• * 1.220

  Greek Char.
• * 1.221

  Dissert. 2.
• * 1.222

  M. Du Can∣ge's Book.
• * 1.223

  Latin Characters
• * 1.224

  Ancient Orthogra∣phy.
• * 1.225

  Holland by Abbot By∣zot.
• * 1.226

  Modern Latin Chara∣cters.
• * 1.227

  Don John Mabillon.
• * 1.228

  The true Preserv.
• * 1.229

  Preserva∣tion suspected.
• * 1.230

  Several sorts of Varnish.
• * 1.231

  Broken Medals to be reje∣cted.
• * 1.232

  Broken Medals to be preser∣ved.
• * 1.233

  Bursten, Medal.
• * 1.234

  Numismata serrata.
• * 1.235

  Divers sorts of Broken Medals.
• * 1.236

  Medals half stam∣ped.
• * 1.237

  Ab. Bizot.
• * 1.238

  Medals Counter∣marked.
• * 1.239

  Different Orna∣ments of the Head.
• * 1.240

  Womens Dresses.
• * 1.241

  Naked Heads.
• * 1.242

  Covered Heads.
• * 1.243

  The Diadem.
• * 1.244

  Crowns.
• * 1.245

  The Au∣thor seems to be mista∣ken here, for the Reward of the Isthmian Games was a Crown of Pine; and that of the Nemean Games was Par••ley. Ne∣ro's Medal he mentions, represents Pine rather than Parsley. Vid. Patini Sueton.
• * 1.246

  Table 1 ••. in the Ca∣binet of the Duke of Arschot.
• * 1.247

  Head-pie∣ces.
• * 1.248

  Foreign Habil••∣ments.
• * 1.249

  The Veil.
• * 1.250

  The Nim∣bus.
• * 1.251

  Heads of the Gods.
• * 1.252

  Pantheons.
• * 1.253

  Busts.
• * 1.254

  The Globe.
• * 1.255

  The Scep∣tre.
• * 1.256

  The Cross.
• * 1.257

  The Fe∣rula.
• * 1.258

  The La∣barum.
• * 1.259

  Thunder.
• * 1.260

  The Acacia
• * 1.261

  The Cre∣scent.
• * 1.262

  Arms.
• * 1.263

  Cabiri.
• * 1.264

  Anubis.
• * 1.265

  Club and Lion's Skin.
• * 1.266

  Reverses.
• * 1.267

  The Hasta.
• * 1.268

  Nam ab o∣rigine re∣rum, pro Di•••• r••∣mortalibus veteres ••a∣••tas coluere. Just. lib. 43. cap. 3.
• * 1.269

  The Pate∣ra.
• * 1.270

  Horn of Plenty.
• * 1.271

  Caduceus.
• * 1.272

  Thyrsus.
• * 1.273

  Thunder.
• * 1.274

  Laurel Branch.
• * 1.275

  Hands joyned.
• * 1.276

  Mil. En∣signs.
• * 1.277

  A Rudder.
• * 1.278

  Shields.
• * 1.279

  Games.
• * 1.280

  A Ship.
• * 1.281

  Grapes.
• * 1.282

  Harps.
• * 1.283

  Bushel.
• * 1.284

  Mil. Stan∣dards.
• * 1.285

  Staff.
• * 1.286

  The Pon∣tifical Cap and Instru∣ments.
• * 1.287

  Curule Chair.
• * 1.288

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.289

  Chariot.
• * 1.290

  Tower.
• * 1.291

  Basket of Flowers.
• * 1.292

  Cheval de frise.
• * 1.293

  Tripod.
• * 1.294

  Zodiack.
• * 1.295

  Parazoni∣um.
• * 1.296

  p. 228.
• * 1.297

  Tab. 25.
• * 1.298

  Tab. 41. Tab. 55. in the Ca∣binet of the Duke of Arschot.
• * 1.299

  Wheels.
• * 1.300

  The Dei∣ties.
• * 1.301

  Rivers.
• * 1.302

  Provinces.
• * 1.303

  Animals.
• * 1.304

  Medals made by Fancy, which ne∣ver were.
• * 1.305

  Cast Me∣dals.
• * 1.306

  Repaired Medals.
• * 1.307

  Medals re∣stored with Mo∣dern Stamps.
• * 1.308

  Giov. Cau∣vino. Lau∣rent. Par∣mesan. Carteron.
• * 1.309

  Medals stamped upon An∣ent ones.
• * 1.310

  Counter∣feit Rever∣ses.
• * 1.311

  Reverses inserted or clap'd to∣gether.
• * 1.312

  Legends alter'd and coun∣terfeited,
• * 1.313

  Counter∣feit Var∣nish.
• * 1.314

  Crack'd Medals.
• * 1.315

  If every Medal had a different Matrix.
• * 1.316

  Monsieur Baudelot's Treatise.
• * 1.317

  If all base Gold, is modern.
• * 1.318

  T. 204.
• * 1.319

  Tom. 2. p. 24.
• * 1.320

  A Young Beginner ought to under∣stand Hi∣story in some mea∣sure.
• * 1.321

  Geogra∣phy.
• * 1.322

  Chrono∣logy.
• * 1.323

  Mytholo∣gy.
• * 1.324

  What Books ne∣cessary for him.
• * 1.325

  Goltzius for Greek Cities.
• * 1.326

  Ʋrsinus for the Consular.
• * 1.327

  Occo and Mezzabar∣ba for the Imperial.
• * 1.328

  M. Patin.
• * 1.329

  Gevartius.
• * 1.330

  Oiselius.
• * 1.331

  Hemelati∣us.
• * 1.332

  Du Cange.
• * 1.333

  Tristan.
• * 1.334

  Vaillant.
• * 1.335

  Morell.
• * 1.336

  F. Hardou∣in.
• * 1.337

  Antonius Augustinus.
• * 1.338

  Thesaurus Goltzii.
• * 1.339

  Ʋrsatus.
• * 1.340

  Rare Me∣dals.
• * 1.341

  Tom. 2.
• * 1.342

  The Price of Medals.
• * 1.343

  Praise of the Mo∣dern.
• * 1.344

  Med. of Gold in the King's Cabinets.
• * 1.345

  Order the Mo∣dern.
• † 1.346

  Beggars.
• * 1.347

  Books that treat of modern Medals.