137 



Pinkerton says nothing of these medals ; of the Hebrew shekels 

 he expresses the most decided contempt. He admits of some of 

 them to be genuine ;* but says that the same impression runs 

 through all the coins of this barbarous nation, and that the admis- 

 sion of but one of them is rightly esteemed a disgrace to a cabinet. 

 It is proper to recollect, that, in laying down this law, he confines 

 his observations to the rude Hebrew coins ; nor does he seem to 

 have a knowledge of the specimens of more finished art, that are the 

 subjects of our inquiry. But, even if he had spoken of these latter, 

 I must confess, that the partiality, not savouring much either of 

 learning or of taste, which is manifested in this passage, and elsewhercj 

 against the Jews, his scepticism in some matters, and dogmatism in 

 others, would at least incline me to retort upon his judgment the 

 same indifference, which he does not hesitate to lavisli upon that of 

 others ;-f- and certainly, were our observations concerning the Jews 

 confined to mere matters of taste, the fabricators of the temple were 

 any thing but barbarous. 



It is unnecessary to enter into the much debated question con- 

 cerning the antiquity of the use of the present Hebrew characters ; 

 for it is quite admitted, by contending writers on the subject, that 

 they were unquestionably in use before the birth of our Sa- 

 viour. ;{: 



I shall proceed to inquire into the probable period of the 



VOL. XIII. X 



* Wascrus says (p. 59) " Jus cudendi monetam Hebraeis liberum usque ad Vespasiani tem- 

 pora." See also anonymous work of" the Knowledge of Medals,'' p. U6. 



f See his work upon coins, and his intemperate expressions contained in the preface, against 

 the Rev. D. Jennings, p. xiii. 



I See Calmet on Hebrew Coins, Bayer de Num. Samarit. p. US. Morinus ut sup. p. 303. 



