MEDALS and COINS. 



having the coin, which bears his image, contain 

 the true value, both with regard to the prefent 

 age, and to pofterity. 



V. Mankind have alfo contrived to preferve 

 the memory of great events, and of illuftrious 

 perfonages, by coins which they c 11 medals: a 

 term that is mamreftly derived from the word 

 metal. Thefe precious monuments of antiquity 

 do not, therefore, ferve merely to engage the 

 curiofity of the fcholar and the connoifleur, but 

 are of ufe alfo in elucidating hiftory; in 

 fixing the chronology, and in throwing clear 

 lights on ancient events : and as the current 

 coins of antiquity cannot pafs among us, on 

 account of the fmall number that is remaining 

 of them, and of the difference in value of gold 

 and filver, thefe coins are now become the mod 

 precious medals. 



VI. The greateft part of antique coins and me- 

 dals,efpecially the Greek and Roman, are fo finely 

 ftruck, the defign and graving fo perfect, the in- 

 vention fimple and fublime, and the tafte fo exqui- 

 fitc, that independent of their utility in hiftory, we 

 cannot fufficiently admire their intrinfic merit, and 

 muft conitantly regard them as inconteftable 

 proofs of the perfection of the arts in thofe diilant 

 ages. It is not therefore wonderful, that fo 

 many perfons of difcernment, tafte, and learn- 

 ing, have employed themfelves in forming col- 

 leftions of the coins and medals of the ancients \ 



and 



