1840.] Notice of some counterfeit Bactrian coins. 395 



already known, and added to their shape and size, (that of a 

 square didrachma, which is altogether unprecedented in any 

 Grecian monetary system), all seem to render it highly probable 

 that these two square silver pieces of Menander are likewise for- 

 geries. 



Of the forged coins that have come under my own notice, I 

 can speak with more certainty ; the most remarkable of which 

 is a gold piece of Apollodotus, of square form, and of small size, 

 belonging to Col. Sir C. M. Wade, c. b. whose valuable collec- 

 tion of coins I was kindly permitted to examine in October 1838. 

 This piece is identical in type and legend, in make and general 

 appearance, with the square silver coins of that prince, which 

 are so well known, and it has evidently been cast in a mould 

 formed from one of the silver coins, for the edges of the gold 

 piece are sharp, and bear the marks of the file, and the point 

 where the metal was run in is easily known by the confusion of 

 the letters at the same place on both sides of the piece. I 

 have seen about twenty of the square silver coins of Apollo- 

 dotus, and I can vouch that this gold piece has not the same 

 clearness and sharpness which is observable in the letters of 

 the genuine coins ; a circumstance owing to its having been 

 cast, and not stamped. Besides which the only known gold 

 Bactrian coin is of round form ; which alone would lead me 

 to suspect the genuineness of this new piece, but when to 

 its square form (which is quite novel in gold) is added its per- 

 fect identity in type, size, and make, with the square silver 

 coins of that prince, I have no hesitation in recording my 

 belief that this is a spurious medal. 



The forgeries next in importance are two thick round silver 

 pieces of Azes, of large size : only one of these pieces is of 

 good silver, the other being of base metal. From some slight 

 obvious variations, they have evidently been cast in moulds 

 made from two different copper pieces of the commonest type 

 of the coins of Azes ; having the bull on one side, and the 

 Indian lion on the reverse. The piece of good silver is covered on 

 both sides with minute holes, which might possibly have been 

 produced by the action of acid in cleaning the piece from rust ; 



but its edge, which has been hammered all round, proves to my 



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