258 UNIVERSAL ERUDITION. 



are fometimes medals found fo fair and frefh, 

 that they appear as if they were juft come out 

 of the mint. The French name thefe a Fleur de 

 oin^ and the Italians, Di tuff a offervazione. 



7. The beauty of the defign, and the per- 

 fedion of the engraving, as well as the relief 9 in 

 which the ancients, and especially the Greeks, ex- 

 celled. By this is meant the whole compofitioa 

 of a medal. To judge properly of theie mat- 

 ters, it is neccifary to underftand drawing, and 

 engraving; to be a connoifleur in the polite artsj 

 and, by feeing a great number of fuch as are ex- 

 cellent, to form a refined tafte. 



8. In the confular coins or medals, the Roman 

 family to which they belong is alfo to be con- 

 fidered. There are medals of 178 illuftrious 

 families of Rome. 



9. Laftly, in order to underftand well, and 

 properly judge of antique coins, we mould 

 be verfed in hiftory and antiquities, and know 

 the cuftoms, ceremonies and manners of ancient 

 nations, 



XVI. But as the medals of the ancients have 

 been frequently counterfeited, and as it is of 

 great conlcqnence not to be deceived in this mat- 

 ter, numifmatography points out to us the prin- 

 cipal characteriftics of theie counterfeits, and the 

 marks by which we may diftinguifli the true 

 from the falfe. Thefe fictitious medals are 

 therefore divided into five claries, i. Such as 

 have been defigned and made, in modern times y . 



m 



