obolos, 1⅓ of a cent; 4. Daric, Darius, of Persia, B. C. 520, value, five
dollars and fifty cents; 5. Silver Daric; 6. Brass Ob. Berenice, B. C.
284; 7. Ptolemy and Berenice, copy; 8. Maneh of Ptolemy Philadelphus,
B. C. 284, value, $17.70; 9. Drachma, Cyrene, B. C. 322; 10. Coin of
Syracuse, copy, about B. C. 300; 11. Silver coin, Bactria, B. C. 126; 12.
Brass of Bactria, B. C. 180; 13. Cleopatra, B. C. 30; 13_a_. Denarius of
Cleopatra and Mark Antony; 14. Alexander the Great, B. C. 36; 15. Philip,
B. C. 323; 16. Stater of Seleucus; 17. Alexander Balas, B. C. 150; 18.
Antiochus VI; 19. Philip, King of Syria, B. C. 93.
ROME.
20. Roman aes, B. C. 500; 21. Denarius of Augustus, B. C. 31; 22.
Tiberius, A. D. 14; 23. Simon, Bar Cochab, false Christ, A. D. 133; 24.
Vespasian, A. D. 49; 25. Gold bezants, A. D. 610; 26. Justinian, A. D.
527; 26_a_. Kingdom of Cyprus and Jerusalem, Peter 1, 1361 to 1372,
testoon, Kingdom of Jerusalem; 26_b_. Amaury II., 1194 to 1205.
ENGLISH.
27. Gold of Britain; 28. Carausius, Roman Emperor of Britain, A. D.
287; 29. Penny of Ethelbert, King of Kent, 858 A. D.; 30. Harold the
Dane, A. D. 1036; 31. William the Conqueror, 1066, A. D.; 32. Edward the
Confessor, A. D. 1041; 33. Robert the Bruce, A. D. 1306; 34. Elizabeth,
Double Ryal, A. D. 1558; 35. James I, 1603, Ryal (30 shillings) and
sovereign; 36. Charles I, sovereign; 37. Siege pound of Charles I, 1642;
37_a_. Gold sovereign of Oliver Cromwell; 38. Crown, and half crown and
shilling, Oliver Cromwell, 1658; 38_a_. Farthing, Queen Anne; 39. George
IV; 40. Coins of Australia.
FRANCE.
41. Deniers of Charlemagne, 806; 42. Medalet, Marie Antoinette; 43. Five
francs, Napoleon I; 44. Gold, Napoleon I, 1851; 45. Five francs, Paris
Commune.
GERMANY.
46. Bracteats; 47. German Crown, Ob. St. Stephen; 48. Ducat, Ob. Luther
and Melanchthon, 1730; 49. Crown, Maximilian, A. D. 1615; 50. Ducat,
Nuremburg; 51. Ducat Hamburg; 52. Monument, Bavaria; 53. King’s family,
Bavaria; 54. Coins of Prussia; 55. Silver piece, Frederick William and
Augusta.
SPAIN.
56. Ferdinand and Isabella; 57. Charles II., Spain; 58. Alphonso, Spain.
ITALY.
59. Silver of Venice under the Doges, twelfth century; 60. Ducat of
Venice; 61. Copper of San Marino; 62. Silver piece of Lombardy; 63. Gold
twenty lira piece; 64. Swiss crown, ob. St. Vincent; 65. African shell
money; 66. African ring money.
ORIENTAL.
67. Siamese coins; 68. Chinese tael; 69. Widow’s mite; 70. Jewish shekel;
70_a_. Herod the Great, 37 B C.; 70_b_. Herod Archelaus, 4 B. C.; 71.
Glass coin, Egypt; 72. Gold of Alnaser, A. D. 1222; 73. Dirhem of Mahomet
V., A. D. 854; 74. Dirhem of Walid, Caliph of Damascus, A. D. 713; 75.
Haroun Alraschid, Koran text, 806; 76. Fire Worshippers, A. D. 300; 77.
Gold of Japan, 1634; 78. Gravel stone of Burmah; 79. Late coin of Turkey;
80. Mexican dollar used in China; 81. Coin of Cochin China.
The most notable coin in this case, and perhaps the most celebrated coin
in the world, is the “Widow’s Mite.” Its name bespeaks its commercial
insignificance. Yet visitors every day, upon entering the Cabinet of the
Mint, ask first to see the “Widow’s Mite.”
The following letter from Wm. E. Du Bois, will be found of interest to
the reader.
THE WIDOW’S MITE.
SIR: The curators of the mint cabinet do not consent to the
intimation in a statement recently made that their widow’s mite
is not the real coin.
The expression of a doubt as to any received fact is thought
to be a sign of superior insight. Hence we have so much
“destructive criticism,” a good deal of it being fatal to the
critic himself.
The widow’s mite in our showcase of specialties, always
attracting much attention, is precisely what the Scriptures
speak of—a _lepton_, the smallest of Greek and Syriac coins.
The name comes from _leptos_, very small. The word “mite” is
English, and was formerly a weight representing the twentieth
part of a grain, but has long fallen into disuse. It was
employed in the translation of the New Testament to represent
the word _lepton_, simply because it was so very small.
It is pretty certain that there was no Jewish or Hebrew coin
so small as the _lepton_; that people depended very much upon
outside coins for their circulation. Even their money terms
had changed to those of the Syrian-Greek Empire and of Rome,
as we see from all the instances in the New Testament. What
few copper or bronze pieces they had, struck by local princes
for a limited time, and now very rare, were large enough to
bear a show of devices and inscriptions, for which the _lepton_
was too minute. The one in our cabinet has a diameter of only
three-tenths of an inch, and weighs but ten grains. On one side
nothing is discernible, on the other a mint monogram, such as
were common in that era, occupies the space. It is much like
the letter x, with a line crossing it near the top. Whether it
is Samaritan, or Syriac, or Greek, we cannot be sure; nor is
it of any consequence. It is enough to show that it is a coin,
and belongs to the age shortly before and after the advent of
Christ, and its size proves it to be a _lepton_.
It is an interesting and confirmatory fact, that this piece
was found among the rubbish of the Temple grounds, by Dr.
Barclay, long resident in Jerusalem, and author of “The City of
the Great King.” By him it was presented to the mint cabinet.
The objector may soberly doubt whether this was one of the
identical mites offered by the widow; for the rest of his
doubts they are of no value.
We are often asked how much this famous offering amounted to?
There is some obscurity and confusion about their coin-tables,
and, therefore, some variety in the estimation. We may say,
however, that the current value of the _lepton_, or mite, was
about one-fifth of a cent in our money; being eighty to the
drachma or denarius, which was 16 or 15 cents.
But as the purchasing or paying power of a drachma was probably
as great in that day and country as a dollar is in ours, we
may say that the value of a lepton, judged by our ideas, was
about one cent. As the treasurer would not take a less gift
than two _lepta_, it follows that the poor but very liberal
woman contributed fully two cents, which is more than some
persons—neither poor nor in widowhood—throw into the church
basket.
It is worth while to add that a visitor at the mint saw a
similar piece in Jerusalem, and tried to obtain one, but on
account of its rarity did not succeed.
W. E. D.
DONATIONS OF OLD COINS.
_Extract from the American Journal of Numismatics, April, 1884._
Under the head of donations, we have from Quartermaster General
Meigs, a half-dollar and pistareen of Carolus and Johana of
Spain. These pieces were presented to General Meigs at Corpus
Christi, Texas, in 1870. The special interest attached to them,
is their having been found on the beach of Padre Island, off
the southerly coast of Texas. The supposition is that they were
washed up from a sunken treasure ship wrecked on the coast,
while carrying funds to the Army of Cortez, who entered the
City of Mexico in 1519. Their good condition may warrant our
accepting this briny romance _Cum grano salis_. Antiquarian
stories must expect to stand the test of the chemist, as
well as of the historian. This reminds me, however, of some
specimens of the Mint Cabinet, from the wreck of the San Pedro,
some account of which may not be uninteresting here.[17] “Early
in 1815, a naval armament was fitted out in Spain, by Ferdinand
VII., for the purpose of reducing the Rebellious Colonies in
South America. The military force of this expedition amounted
to ten thousand men, of whom two thousand were on board the
flag ship “San Pedro.” The vessel was also freighted to a large
amount with gunpowder, cannon balls and specie.”
The account then goes on to state that the fleet touched at the
Island of Marguerita near the coast of Venezuela. After leaving
the island, the vessel took fire, burnt four hours until the
magazine caught and exploded, and the wreck went down with four
hundred men. The right of working the wreck, was granted about
thirty years after, to a Baltimore Company, known as the “San
Pedro Company.” Divers were set to work, and the wreck found in
sixty feet of water on a hard bed of coral. Over this there was
a deposit of mud, and again over this a layer of coral, which
had to be pierced to arrive at the treasure.
The Spanish dollars recovered were sent to Philadelphia, and
(up to September, 1848) about seventy-five thousand dollars had
been recovered and re-coined. The dollars were much corroded
and encrusted, the coating having first to be removed, to
bring the pieces into fit condition for minting; the loss from
corrosion was considerable; one dollar with the impression
still visible, being reduced to thirty-four cents in value. In
the light of these and other facts, it is difficult to conceive
how the pieces found in Texas, could have come so clean from
their reputed berth, of over three hundred years, but they are
worth keeping for all that, and General Meigs has the thanks of
the Republic for them.
COLONIAL COINAGES.
[Illustration: PLATE I.
NOVA CONSTELLATIO “QUINT.” 1783.
NOVA CONSTELLATIO “MARK.” 1783.
NOVA CONSTELLATIO, IMMUNE COLUMBIA.
SOMMER ISLAND SHILLING. “HOGGIE.”
NEW JERSEY IMMUNIS.
CONFEDERATIO INIMICA, ETC.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE II.
CONNECTICUT CENT, 1787.
NEW ENGLAND ELEPHANT TOKEN. VERY RARE. 1694.
GOOD SAMARITAN SHILLING, MASS.
MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT. 1787.
MASSACHUSETTS CENT.
NEW YORK.
See description.]
NOVA CONSTELLATIO.
Obverse: An eye, the center of a glory, thirteen points cross,
equidistant; a circle of as many stars. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.”
Reverse: “U. S. 500” inscribed in two lines, a wreath surrounding.
Legend: “LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783.” Border, beaded; edge, leaf work. Known
as the “Quint.”
No. 2.—Obverse: An eye, around which a narrow, plain, circular field;
outside a glory, thirteen points cross, equidistant; a circle of as many
stars. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.”
Reverse: “U. S. 1000” inscribed in two lines, a wreath surrounding.
Legend: “LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783.” Border, a wreath of leaves; edge, leaf
work; silver; size, 21; weight, 270 grains. Known as the “Mark.”
THE IMMUNE COLUMBIA.
Obverse: An eye, on a small, plain, circular field; from the outside
of the field radiates a glory of thirteen blunt points, crossing,
equidistant, the spaces between as many stars in a circular
constellation. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.” Border, serrated.
Reverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated upon a paneled cubic pedestal,
facing right; her left hand is well extended and balances the scales of
justice. A short liberty staff, crowned with a cap and bearing a flag,
rests against her right shoulder, and is supported by the right hand.
Legend: “IMMUNE COLUMBIA.” Exergue: the date 1785. Border, serrated;
edge, plain or milled; size, 17; weight, gold, 128.8 grains; silver, 92
grains; copper 148 grains.
BERMUDA SHILLING—(“HOGGE-PENNY”).
Obverse: Device—A hog, standing, facing left, above which are displayed
the Roman numerals “XII.,” the whole surrounded by a beaded circle.
Legend: “SOMMER ISLANDS” around which is a beaded circle like that
enclosing the device.
Reverse: Device—A full-rigged ship under sail to the left, a flag flying
from each of her four masts—enclosed in a beaded circle, the beads larger
than on the obverse. Copper; size, 19; weight, 177 grains.
NEW JERSEY IMMUNIS.
Obverse: Goddess of Liberty, seated upon a globe, facing right; in her
extended left hand the scales of justice; right hand staff of liberty
bearing a flag and crowned with a cap. Legend: “IMMUNIS COLUMBIA.”
Exergue: “1786.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 18; weight, 160
grains.
Reverse: A shield argent, six pales gules, a chief azure. Legend: “E
PLURIBUS UNUM.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 18; weight, 160
grains.
CONFEDERATIO AND INIMICA TYRANNIS.
Obverse: A circular central field, size 6, covered with a cluster of
thirteen small stars; around this device a glory of fine rays, presenting
a corrugated outline of sixteen points. Legend: “CONFEDERATIO 1785.”
Border, serrated.
Reverse: An Indian, standing beside an altar or pedestal, his right foot
upon a crown, an arrow in his right hand, a bow in his left; at his back
a quiver full of arrows. Legend: “INIMICA TYRANNIS AMERICA.” Border,
serrated; edge, plain; size, 18; weight, 112 grains.
CONNECTICUT CENT, 1788.
Obverse: Identical with one of 1787.
Reverse: The same as one of the coins of Vermont. Another Connecticut
coin of this year, has the same reverse as the “GEORGIVS III REX” issue
of Machin & Co., from the mint established by them in the State of New
York.
NOTE.—The obverse and reverse dies of the Connecticut cents are too
numerous to mention, there being no less than one hundred and sixty-four
of the first, and eighty-four of the latter.
NEW ENGLAND TOKEN.
Obverse: Same as that of the common type of the Carolina Token of 1694,
and from the same die as that and the “London Halfpenny.”
Reverse: An inscription, in five lines, occupying the whole field, “GOD
PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND 1694.” Borders, milled; edge, plain; copper; size,
18½; weight, 133 and 236 grains.
GOOD SAMARITAN SHILLINGS.
The same general type and variety as the Pine Tree Shilling, but bearing
upon the obverse a well-executed device, illustrating the parable of
the Good Samaritan; but two or three specimens of this coin have been
known, two of which are in existence and of unique varieties; they are
supposed to have been pattern pieces, struck at the origin of the Mint of
Massachusetts Colony.
[Illustration: PLATE III.
LARGE PATTERN CENT. NOT ISSUED.
BAR CENT. VERY RARE.
FUGIO. “MIND YOUR BUSINESS.” FIRST.
INIMICA TYRANNIS AMERICANA.
FUGIO. “MIND YOUR BUSINESS.” SECOND.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE IV.
HALF CENT. 1836.
CONFEDERATE C. S. A. HALF DOLLAR.
HALF CENT. 1840.
HALF CENT. 1845.
“JEFFERSON HEAD” CENT.
HALF CENT. 1846.
See description.]
MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT, 1787.
Obverse: Same general description as the Cent of 1787.
Reverse: Same in general as the Cent of 1787, except that the shield upon
some specimens, bears only “HALF CENT.” Borders, milled; edge plain;
size, 15 to 15½; weight, 75 to 83 grains.
The “Cent,” 1788. Twelve Types. Thirteen Varieties.
MASSACHUSETTS CENT, 1788.
Obverse: A clothed Indian, standing, facing left, in his right hand a
bow, in his left an arrow. Legend: “COMMONWEALTH.”
Reverse: A spread eagle, a broad shield upon his breast, six pales gules
(upright), a chief azure (open or plain). Upon the chief, or upper part
of the shield, the word “CENT,” in bold Roman lettering. In exergue,
beneath a heavy horizontal bar, the date 1787. Borders, milled; edge,
plain; size, 16½ to 19; weight, 146 to 165 grains.
FUGIOS OR FRANKLIN CENTS.
The Fugios or Franklin Cents are the earliest coins issued by authority
of the United States. They being all dated 1787, and made in conformity
with resolution of Congress, dated July 6, 1787:
“_Resolved_, That the Board of Treasury direct the contractor for the
copper coinage to stamp on one side of each piece the following devices,
viz.: Thirteen circles linked together, a small circle in the middle,
with the words ‘UNITED STATES’ round it, and in the centre the words, ‘WE
ARE ONE’; on the other side of the same piece the following device, viz.:
a dial with the hours expressed on the face of it; a meridian sun above,
on one side of which is to be the word ‘FUGIO,’ and on the other the year
in figures ‘1787’; below the dial the words ‘MIND YOUR BUSINESS.’”
THE BAR CENT, OR U S A COPPER.
This coin, presumed to have belonged to the same issue as the Nova
Constellatio Coppers, was probably made in Birmingham, England, by
Thomas Wyon, for circulation in America. The “U S A” Copper was first
passed as money in the City of New York, in November, 1785. The device
was taken from an old Continental button, to which fact and the light
weight of the piece, has been attributed the disfavor shown the coinage
and the limited circulation given the same.
Obverse: Large Roman “U S A” in a monogram, on a plain field.
Reverse: Thirteen horizontal bars. Border, serrated; Edge, plain; size,
15½; weight, 85 grains. Two pairs of dies.
MARYLAND PENNY.
The Maryland Penny. One Type. One Variety. Unique.
Obverse: Similar to that of the sixpence.
Reverse: A Ducal Coronet, upon which are erected two masts, each bearing
a flying pennant. Legend: “DENARIVM TERRE-MARIÆ.” Copper; size, 13.
The only specimen of this piece extant was imported into America from
England, at a cost of £75, and was sold for $370 with the collection of
J. J. Mickley, Esq., of Philadelphia.
ROSA AMERICANA HALF-PENNY, 1722.
Obverse: Laureated head of King George I, facing right. Legend: “GEORGIUS
DEI GRATIA REX.”
Reverse: A full double rose; from this project five barbed points.
Legend: “ROSA AMERICANA UTILE DULCI 1722” which encircles the piece.
Border, beaded; edge, plain; “Bath Metal;” size, 16 to 18; weight, 139
grains.
Devices: Same as those of the Penny of this coinage. Legends: Same import
as those upon the Penny, but varied by abbreviations and in punctuation.
Border, beaded; edge, plain; “Bath Metal;” size, 13 to 14; weight, 75
grains.
LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO—_First_.
Reverse: Arms of the State of New York. Upon an oval shield at the center
is shown the sun rising from behind a range of hills, the sea in the
foreground; left of the shield, Justice, with sword and scales; right,
Liberty, with staff and cap. Upon a hemisphere, above the shield, stands
an eagle, wings outspread, facing right. Exergue: 1787; beneath this,
next the border, “EXCELSIOR.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 17;
weight, 157 grains.
[Illustration: PLATE V.
MARYLAND PENNY.
HALF CENT. 1847.
ROSA AMERICANA HALF PENNY. 1722.
LIBER NATUS LIBERNATUM DEFENDO. FIRST.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY TOKEN. 1737.
LIBER NATUS LIBERNATUM DEFENDO. SECOND.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE VI.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON LIVERPOOL HALF PENNY. 1793.
“NAKED BUST.” WASHINGTON CENT. 1792.
NON DEPENDENS STATUS.
HALF CENT. 1842.
PATTERN CENT. 1792.
See description.]
LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO.—_Second._
Obverse: An Indian, standing, crowned with feathers, and facing left; in
his right hand he wields a tomahawk, his left supports a bow, the end of
which rests on the ground near his feet; over his right shoulder appears
the top of a quiver of arrows, which is borne upon his back. Legend:
“LIBER NATUS LIBERATEM DEFENDO.”
Reverse: A hemisphere of the globe, marked by longitudinal and meridianal
lines; upon this stands a large heavy-bodied eagle, wings spread,
somewhat drooping, beak toward the right. Legend: “NEO-EBORACUS 1787
EXCELSIOR.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 17; weight, 153 grains.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY TOKEN, 1737.
Obverse: A deer, standing, facing left, occupying the whole field.
Legend: “VALVE ME AS YOU PLEASE.” Exergue: The Roman numerals III upon a
small scroll; a little crescent is shown below.
Reverse: Three hammers, each bearing a crown upon the head. Legend: “I AM
GOOD COPPER 1737.”
WASHINGTON CENT, 1783.
Obverse: Large laureated bust of Washington, draped, facing left. Legend:
“WASHINGTON & INDEPENDENCE 1783.”
Reverse: A figure of a female, facing left, seated upon a rock; right
hand holds an olive branch; left, staff of liberty, with cap. Legend:
“UNITED STATES.” Exergue: T. W. I. E. S. Border, beaded; edge, plain;
size, 17½; weight, 120 grains. Two obverse and three reverse dies.
WASHINGTON LIVERPOOL HALF-PENNY.
Obverse: Bust of Washington, in uniform, facing left, hair in a queue.
Legend: “WASHINGTON PRESIDENT.”
Reverse: A ship, under sail, to the right: Legend: “HALFPENNY” under the
ship, waves, and in the foreground, on a panel, the date 1793. Border,
milled; edge, lettered: “PAYABLE IN ANGLESEY LONDON OR LIVERPOOL.” Size,
19; weight, 163 grains.
WASHINGTON NAKED BUST CENT, 1792.
Obverse: A classical bust of Washington, undraped, facing right; the head
is encircled by a fillet, confining the hair, which is cut short and is
curly; the fillet is tied at the back of the head by a bow knot with long
pendent ends. Legend: “WASHINGTON PRESIDENT 1792.”
Reverse: A small eagle, displayed, wings upraised; on his breast a shield
argent, six pales gules; right talon, an olive branch, fourteen leaves,
six berries; left talon, thirteen arrows; about the head of the eagle are
six mullets, and above is the word “CENT.” Border, milled; edge, plain,
or inscribed: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size, 19; weight, 198 grains.
Some six or eight specimens only are known.
NON DEPENDENS STATUS.
Obverse: A full bust, facing right; flowing hair to the shoulders. Upon
the drapery of the bust a small oval shield as an epaulet, emblazoned
with a staff bearing a flag; across the staff, saltierwise, rests a naked
sword. In each angle of this device is displayed a fleur de lis. Upon the
breast of the bust is a head with spreading wings. Legend: “NON-DEPENDENS
STATUS.”
Reverse: An Indian, seated upon a globe, facing left; nude, except a cap
or bandeau upon his head, and a feather tunic around the lower part of
the body. In his extended right hand he holds a bunch of tobacco; the
left reaches behind him and rests upon a shield, bearing the same emblems
displayed upon the epaulets upon the bust on the obverse. Legend: “AMER
ICA,” divided by the figure of the Indian. Exergue: 1778. Border, plain;
edge plain; size, 19.
Some coin dealers advertise the Non Dependens Status as “a rare copper,
worth $100.”
PATTERN CENT, 1792.
Obverse: A bust of Liberty, facing to right, the hair confined by a
fillet. Above is inscribed the word “LIBERTY,” and beneath the date
“1792.”
Reverse: A portion of a globe, on which stands an eagle, with raised
wings. Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” This cent has a grained edge,
like the cents of 1793. Some numismatists give it the preference as the
first cent.
GEORGE CLINTON COPPER, 1787.
The George Clinton Copper has the bust of Governor Clinton facing right,
with legend “GEORGE CLINTON.”
Reverse: The State arms of New York, and in the exergue, “1787
EXCELSIOR.” This last reverse is found also combined with the Liber
Natus, which has an Indian standing, facing left, with tomahawk in the
right hand and bow in the left, a bundle of arrows also at his back.
Legend: “LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO.” This latter obverse is also
found combined with another reverse, as follows: An eagle stands upon a
section of the globe. Legend: “NEO EBORACUS 1787 EXCELSIOR.”
[Illustration: PLATE VII.
GEORGE CLINTON COPPER. 1787.
KENTUCKY TOKEN.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. 1787.
MASSACHUSETTS PINE TREE SHILLING. 1652.
CHAIN CENT. 1793.
MYDDELTON TOKEN.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE VIII.
GREEK EGYPTIAN COIN. PTOLEMÆUS SOTER. 285-300 B. C.
ROMAN COIN. FAUSTINA, DAUGHTER OF ANTONINUS PIUS, WIFE OF MARCUS
AURELIUS. DIED, 175 A. D.
MACEDONIAN SILVER COIN. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. 300 YEARS B. C.
SILVER SHEKEL OF JUDEA. SIMON MACCABEES. 145 B. C.
PERSIAN SILVER COIN. VOLOGESES III. 148-190 A. D.
JUDEAN COPPER COIN. SIMON MACCABEES. 145 B. C.
See description.]
KENTUCKY TOKEN OR CENT
Has a hand holding a scroll inscribed “Our Cause is Just.” Legend:
“UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY.” Reverse: A radiant pyramid,
triangular in shape, of fifteen stars united by rings, each star having
placed in it the initial of a State, Kentucky being at the top. Legend:
“E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
SHEKEL (SIMON MACCABEES).
The Shekel was originally a weight. The first form in which money
was used by the Jews, and by all other nations of which we have any
knowledge, was the pieces without any regular shape or any marks or
devices upon them. Precious metals passed by weight. Thus it is said of
the purchase made by Abraham of the cave and field of Machpelah, “And
Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver,
which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred
shekels of silver, current with the merchant.” Gen. xxiii. 16.