1832.] On the Ancient Roman Coins. 397 



the copper pieces of the lower empire are supposed to be derived ; 

 thus the Greek numeral M. on a copper piece weighing \ an ounce, 

 shews it to be a follis or 40 vov^ia • K stands for 20, I for 10, of the 

 same unit, &c. 



In describing the silver coin, I have unavoidably introduced as much, 

 notice of the copper coinage as is requisite for the purpose of recogniz- 

 ing, or naming, all that will come under review in the following cata- 

 logue. The as. was the pysa — the penny piece — of the Romans 

 from first to last, merely declining in weight from one pound in the 

 time of Servius Tullius, to half an ounce in that of Augustus, and to 

 20 grains in that of Constantine the Great. 



The money of account was distinct from the coin, being estimated 

 in sestertii and sestertia ; the sestertium (pondus), or 2^- centum 

 denariorum being equal to 100 Sestertii, or about £S 6 8 English 

 money ; but with this we have nothing to do at present, and it is 

 high time to turn to the coins before us. 



Gold Coins. 



In the Asiatic Researches, vol. III. is a notice of the discovery 

 of a number of Roman coins, chiefly of gold, of the second century, 

 by a peasant, in digging the remains of what appeared to be an old 

 Hindu temple near Nelore, 100 miles west of Madras, in the year 

 1787. Many were melted up as old gold, but 30 were recovered by 

 Nawab Amir-ul Antra, who allowed the Governor of Madras, Mr. A. 

 Davidson, to make a selection of two from the number for himself. 

 He chose an Adrian and a Faustina, of which drawings were sent 

 to the Asiatic Society. " Some of the Trajans were in good preser- 

 vation, and many of the coins could never have been in circulation, 

 they were so fresh and beautiful." This printed record is all that 

 now remains in our archives of the interesting discovery : — the coins 

 were probably brought to India by the Christian or Jewish refugees, 

 who migrated to Mysore in the third and fourth centuries of our aera. 

 PL VILfig. 1JDN ARCADIVS PF AVG. Dominus noster Ar- 



A. D. 392. $ cadius pius filius Augustus. Front face of the 

 prince, juvenile, in helmet and armour : an eques- 

 trian device on the shield. 



Reverse. NOVA SPES REIPVBLICjEo- below, conob. 



Type. Victory seated, half naked, inscribing five crosses or xx xxx 

 on a shield ; a star on the left. 



Weight 70 grs. troy : — The solidus of Constantine and his succes- 

 sors. — .4s. Soc. 



