90 Analyses of Ancient Alloys. 



Roman As 07- iEs. B.C. 500.* 



Weight, 4150 grains. Specific gravity, 8-59. Obverse : The 

 head of Janus. Reverse : A ship. 



The metal of which it was composed, presented an iron-grey ap- 

 pearance when broken, but if cut, the pecuHar hue of copper was im- 

 mediately perceived. Large cavities were also observed in the sub- 

 stance of the alloy, occasioned by bubbles of air, which being shut 

 up in the mould, had caused numerous holes in the casting. For ana- 

 lysis vide Table. 



Semis. Same date as the foregoing. 

 This coin bears on one side the head of Jupiter laureated, and on 

 the other the letter S. Its weight, although not quite perfect, was 

 1997 grains. Specific gravity, 8*64. For analysis mc?e Table. 



This is supposed to be of the same date as the preceding, being of 

 similar rude workmanship and brittle metal. The specimen examined 

 bore on one side the head of Hercules, and on the other a design in 

 which the marks 000 were conspicuous. Its weight was 970 grains ; 

 its specific gravity, 8' 58. For analysis vide Table. 



Hiero I. B.C. 478. 



Hiero I. succeeded his brother Gelo as King of Syracuse, 478 

 years before our era, and reigned eleven years. 



The coin examined was of a yellow colour, and the metal bright 

 and close in its grain, being extremely hard and difficult to cut. 

 Specific gravity, 8*72. For analysis vide Table. 



Alexander the Great. About B.C. 335. 

 This coin weighed 108 grains, and the metal of which it was com- 

 posed had a specific gravity of 8*69. For analysis vide Table. 



Philippus III. 

 Natural son of Philip II. and half brother of Alexander, whom 

 he succeeded as King of Macedonia, in the year 323 before our era. 

 The coin examined weighed 83*3 grains, and bore on one side a 

 head, and on the other a man on horseback. This metal resembled 

 that of which the coin of Alexander was composed, and had a specific 

 gravity = 8'71. For analysis vide Table. 



Philippus V. B.C. 200. 

 Weight about 164 grains. Specific gravity = 8'59. For ana- 

 lysis vide Table. 



* M. Le Norraand considers the Roman As of this type, to have been coined 

 about B.C. 385. Other authors, however, regard the date above given, as being 

 more correct. 



