1843.] Asiatic Society. 135 



Coins in the cabinet according to 

 the statement of Mr. J. Prinsep. 





Coins at present in 







the cabinet. 



Ditto 



ditto of Con stan tius 



14 



Ditto 



ditto of Theodosius 



3 



Gold Coin of Arcadius 







Copper Coin of Honorius 







Ditto 



ditto of Justinianus 



1 



Ditto 



ditto of Justinus 



1 



Ditto 



ditto of Mauricius 



1 



Ditto 



ditto of Zimias 



1 



It would be undoubtedly desirable to have a complete series of Roman coins, but 

 as such collection is not directly connected with the purposes of the Society, and as 

 there are other objects the attainment of which is of much higher importance, it is 

 perhaps not advisable to encourage an increase of these coins for the present. 



On the other hand, it cannot be urged too much on the attention of the Society to 

 enlarge the collection of the Indo-Grecian, Indo-Scythian and Hindoo coins, in 

 which the cabinet is very deficient, their number amounting only to 116 specimens, 

 most of which are moreover duplicates, and their legends, types, etc. generally 

 effaced. General opinion seems to transfer to the Asiatic Society as an hereditary 

 obligation, researches respecting the Antiquities and History of Afghanistan, which 

 can be instituted with propriety only by means of a large collection of coins. 



To form this devolves the more on the Society, as there are few Societies placed 

 in a more favourable position for collecting those coins, than the Asiatic Society of 

 Bengal. 



I would also beg to draw the attention of the Society to a branch of coins which 

 has been investigated in part only. I allude to the coins of the ancient Hindoo Kings, 

 allied by their coins to the Greeks- and their successors, and I need not say, how 

 valuable such a collection may prove to supply the large blank of historical account 

 from Azoka to the Mahommedan conquest. 



Of Grecian coins the cabinet contains no more than sixteen, and I beg to observe, 

 that additions, especially to those of the successors of Alexander, are also desirable, 

 as many of their types are closely allied to the Indo-Grecian coins, and show in 

 typical representation the influence which Grecian art and genius had on the deve- 

 lopment of Indian civilisation. 



I take this opportunity of forwarding to you the list of books received into the 

 Library during the past year, the number of which amounts to 260, an account of 

 the Oriental publications from May 1838 to the 31st December 1842, and an ab- 

 stract of the Oriental publications which have been sold from the 1st January to 

 the 27th December 1842. 1 have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your obdt. Servant, 

 . 13th January, 1843. E. Roer, 



Librarian Asiatic Society. 



