METALLIC ORNAMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS 49 



Mr Stanford, of Munnsville, has a cross of some size, with expand- 

 ing arms, suggesting the Maltese cross, but with the proportions of 

 the Roman. Crosses and crucifixes seem rarer on the Mohawk and 

 Oneida sites than farther west. Those of Onondaga have been 

 most prolific, but they are now everywhere rare as compared with 

 those found by early settlers, and are valued accordingly. 



Coins 



The most common coins found on Iroquois sites and used for 

 ornaments are the Hards of the I7th century. The value is about 

 half that of the English farthing. They were at first a silver coin, 

 but in the reign of Louis 14 became restricted to copper. On the 

 coin the date follows the inscription, and shows several issues. In 

 numismatic records they are described as dated in 1656 and subse- 

 quently. On Indian sites they are perforated for attachment or sus- 

 pension, and are often too much worn to make sure of the date; but 

 in New York this seems always during Louis 14*5 reign. Those 

 reported as having the date of 1650 may be safely referred to 1656, a 

 slight erosion affecting the date. In Cayuga county 44 were found 

 in a pewter mug, which had suffered only by early use. All were of 

 the middle of the I7th century. 



The obverse has a crowned bust, with the inscription in capitals: 

 " L. XIIII, Roy. de. Fr. et. de. Na.;" reverse, " Liard de France," 

 across the surface. On the lower part are three fleurs-de-lis, and 

 above these a letter, showing at what place they were made, for 

 there were several. A stood for Paris, B for Rouen, and examples 

 of both these are found at Indian hill, Pompey. 



In Onondaga county they seem restricted to the place first visited 

 t>y the French in 1654, and where the Onondagas remained till 1682. 

 There they often occur. Fig. 303 shows both sides of one found at 

 that place, which has two perforations. Fig. 304 is another with but 

 one hole. Fig. 297 is from the same site, and has R instead of Roy. 

 This has two perforations. 



The writer has since had in his hands Hards from Pompey of the 

 D and E issue, the former being from the Lyons mint. 



