Figure of tnctailic Money.— ^Bleaching of Imprejfions frem Engravings. "46^ 



binatlon of both methods is neceff<iry. If a coin be ftrucic with indentations or parts de» 

 prefTed beneath the common furface, and in thefe there be prominent objefts or defigns, not 

 more eievated than that furfa-ce, the general advantage, with regard to wear, will approach 

 towards that of the plain furface itfelf, and the impreffion will be at Icafl: as difficult to imitate, 

 if not more fo than that of a defign rifing totally above the common (lirface *. The late 

 copper coinage of pieces of one and of two pennies are of this kindf. 



To fum up the foregoing conclufioiVs i/i a few words, we may remark, that, i. The State 

 is unable (from the natural impradticability of the thing) to appoint two dirtinct articles of 

 commerce as the circulating mediums of exchange. 2. The meafure of value or legal tender 

 •ought to confift in the metal which bears the higheft, price, namdy, gold. 3. Coin of filver 

 and copper are required for fmaller fradiions than the actual fubdivifions of the gold coin, but 

 fliould be optional in the receipt for any larger fums. 4. Thefe laft-mentioned coins ought 



xto reprefent a value in gold equal to their own quantity of metal, at the higheft (or perhaps 

 medium) market price added to the charge of fabrication. 5. No fufficient reafon has yet 

 been given, to fjiew tliat the ftandard of gold coin fliould be changed in order to render it 

 more durable. 6, The beft figure of coin is a ftiort cylinder or flat round plate ; and 7. The 



ciiftindive marks or impreffions (hould be made neither altogether hollow nor altogether in 

 relief, but by a combination of both form?, fo as to leave a flat bearing furface on each 

 fide. 



V. 



An eafy Method of cleaning and bleaching Copper-Plate Imprejfions or Prints. ExtraEled from a 

 Letter of Sig. Gio. FabbrONI, SubdireSfor and Superiniendant of the Royal Cabinet of 

 Philofophy and Natural Hijlory of -jjis Royal Highnefs the Grand Duke of Tufcany, to Sig, 

 D. LUICI TaSGIONI at Naples %. 



Q 



O I N C E the happy invention of engraving in copper, which no doubt owes its origin to 

 the revival of the art of chafing and ornamenting plate, colleilors have availed themfelves of 

 this means to accumulate and preferve copies of the moft valuable pi6l:ures and drawings. 

 This objeiSl of refearch becomes every day more prevalent, and prints of the early and moft 

 celebrated mafters are now fought for with the utmoft avidity. 



Ancient prints are valuable, not only for their own intrinfic merits, but as monuments of 



* Few coins have been made of this figure. The Chinefe coin of mixed copper called the ca(h is the moft 

 Temarkable, and perhaps the only one of extcnfive circulation. 



t Of copper, by M. Boulton, Efq. for Government, The penny is rather more than 1.4 inch in diameter, 

 ind about o.t j inch thick at the edge, and weighs 1 oz. avoirdupois. A circular part of the face on each fide 

 rather more than i.i inch in diameter is depreffed by the ftroke of the dye, in one of which is feen the hebd of 

 the King in relief, and in the other a figure of Britannia. Upon the prominent rim on one fide are the words 

 " Georgius III. D. G. Rex," and on the other " Britannia 1797" in funken letters. The edgi: or cylindrical 

 furface is plain. The two-penny piece refembles the penny; but its diameter is 1.4 inch : funk face 1.45 inch, 

 and weight z oz, avoirdupois wanting jo grains in the piece before me. I fuppofe the average weight to 

 be 2 ounces. 



X Trariflated from the Italian. Communicated by Andrew Duncan, jun. M. D. of Edinburgh, who re- 

 ceived it from the author. The original is inlertcd in the Giornale Letterario di NapoU, No. 85. " * 



Vou II — Sept. 1798. M m the 



