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The ornaments or figures, befides the heads on the obverfe, and 

 the large crofles on the reverfe, are fuch as reprefent the dignity 

 and enfigns of the prince for whom they were ftruck. The 

 moft general ornament in thofe under confideration is a rude 

 figure in the oppofite quarters of the crofles, which feveral have 

 taken for a harp, and others for a crown : However, from other 

 coins, where the charader-is more perfedly dehneated, it proves 

 to be the reprefentation of a hand, the curved line reprefenting 

 the thumb and wrift, and the four lines proceeding from it the 

 fingers, whofe nails are noted by little balls or circles at the extre- 

 mities. The hand was the fymbol, among the northern nations, 

 of power and ftrength ; and we are informed by Aldrovandus " 

 that it was the ancient arms of Ireland, and was principally 

 borne by the Northern or Ulfter tribes during the latter ages, 

 and in the more early, indifcriminately throughout the kingdom ; 

 even at this day it is borne by our baronets, that order being 

 inftituted by James the Firft of England to ferve in the wars 

 of Ireland, and in confequence bore in their efcutcheon the 

 ancient enfigns of the nation againft whom they were fent to 

 fight. 



Others of thefe coins bear in the quarters of the crofl'es the 

 reprefentation of a fword: The fword was the fymbol of martial 

 prowefs, and Aldrovandus, before quoted, aflerts that this wea- 

 pon was alfo borne by the Irifh chiefs in their arms. 



'' Ulifles Aldrovandus Ornitholog. L. i. 



(T2) In 



