ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 41 



(17.) A necklace of alternate glass and gold beads, terminating in goats' heads set with 

 garnets. 



(18.) An ornament, probably worn on the forehead in the centre of a diadem, and com- 

 posed of ii central loop tbnned of garnets, on either side of which is an oblong enamelled 

 frame, with a central sinking, in which has probably been a jewel. 



(19.) A pair of solid twisted bracelets, terminating in bulls' heads.' 



(20.) Four pairs of earrings, and three single earrings. 



(21.) A bracelet, composed of pieces of root emerald, connected by gold chains. 



(22.) Nine rings, some with intaglios. 



(23.) A Celtic tore, found in France. 



Silver Fiyures. — Figures in this metal are of great rarity. In tlie Blacas Museum are 

 ten, all of the Roman period. 



The largest of these is 3 t\ inches high^ and represents a shepherd carrying a lamb in a 

 leathern bag at his back, and having a leathern milk-pail lianging from Iris arm. Nine 

 smaller figuies represent Spes, Fortuna, Abundantia, and other Koman deities. All these 

 fio'ures are in fine condition, and belong to a good period of Roman art. 



VIII. — Greek and Roman Coins. 



The Blacas Cabinet of coins has enriched the National Colhction by upwards of 2,000 

 specimens; of these, the Greek series is the least valuable, though it contains many pieces 

 of much interest and value. The most important of the Greek series are those of Graeco- 

 Italian coins of Upper and Central Italy, which have been usually classed with the ^s 

 grave, together with a few specimens of the same kind from Apulia. Among these Gr^eco- 

 Italian c in^, are three extremely rare ingots (pieces carrees). There are also, a very early 

 silver coin, inscribed Valentia, which has been considered by the Due de Blacas to 

 be a nummus of Servius Tullius ; a Siculo-Punic dodecadrachm of extreme rarity, o.nd 

 very intportant for the study of the standard of the class to which it belongs ; a number 

 of excelli nt coins from Neapolis, Tarentum, Heraclea, Posidonia, Thuriura, Velia, Croton, 

 Locri, Terina, and Syracuse, and some good specimens of the Siculo-Punic class. 



The Roman coins are a most important accession to the national collection ; many of 

 them are unique, and in excellent preservation; they are comparable with the best specimens 

 extant in other museums. The following may be noticed as among the most interesting', 

 either on account of their rarity or their beauty. 



In Gold, an Aureus ol' Julius Ctesar, with the letters LIT. on the obverse, marking liis age 

 (52 years) at the commencement of the civil war. 



An Aureus of Julius Ctesar, with a veiled head. 



Aiirei of Lepidus and of Cngeus Porapeius. 



A legionary coin of M. Antonius. 



Aurei of M. Antonius, and of his brother Lucius, and of M. Antonius and his son. 



An Aureus of Q. Lubienus, which is unique. An Augustus, struck by his moneyer, 

 L. lyi'assidiiis. A Vitellius, with his father, L. Vitellius. A Vespasian, with the heads of 

 his two sons. Two coins of Pertinax, both of extreme rarity. A Didius Julianus. Two 

 coins of Clodius Albinus, and an Herennius Etruscus. Many rare coins of ihe Gdllic 

 usurpers. A gold medallion of Constantius Chlorus. A full-faced coin of Licinius I. 

 Gold medallions of Constantius II., Gratianus, and Honorius ; and a magnificent and 

 unique gold medallion of Diocletian. 



In Silver, there is a small collection of the very rare class known by the name of Nummi 

 Restituti, or restored types, struck by Trajan; a few good miscellaneous specimens of 

 the Consular and Imperial times. 



In Bronze, may be noted an extremely rare full-faced medallion of Commodus, and a 

 considerable number of the 1st and 2nd brass series of Imperial coins, chiefly of value 

 for the excellence of their preservation. Many of the specimens of this class are in the 

 very finest condition. 



IX. — Bronzes. 



This collection contains a number of choice specimens of Greek, Etruscan, or Roman 

 fabric, among wiiich the following may be especially noted : — 



Greek and Etruscan Bronzes. — (l.) Four disks, 8J inches in diameter, which have been 

 the coveis of cylindrical mte. These are ornamented with animals, mseanders, and other 

 patterns, rudely stippled within concentric circles. These patterns are very similar to those 

 on the archaic fictile plates from Carairus, and may be referred to the same early jieriod. 



(2.) Disk 4V^ inches in diameter, on which is embossed, in relief, a figure of Mer- 

 cury seated under a tree and making a lyre ; in front of him another lyre leaning against 

 a building, on which is a Sphinx. 



(3.) An archaic figure of Mars, 8 inches high, probably from tlie top of an Etruscan 

 candelabrum. 



249. F 4 (4.) Part 



