435 
silver in the same manner. As to the method by which the 
coins were struck we have no certain means of judging, but 
I think it very probable that the dies in use amongst the 
Ancient Britons were similar to a very curious die lately dis- 
covered at Avranches, in Switzerland, and which had been 
intended for striking the obverse side of one of the Helvetian 
degenerate imitations of the Philippus. This die consists of a 
disc of bronze inlaid in a cylindrical block of iron, with a 
concave surface to produce the convexity of surface so com- 
mon among the coins of this class, and also probably to pre- 
vent the rolling of the spherical pieces of heated metal from 
which the coins were struck. The execution of the devices 
upon the dies appears to me to have usually been produced 
by punches rather than with the graver, though it is probable 
both were used for the purpose on some occasions. 
The influence of the intercourse with Pome upon the 
character of the coinage of the Britons is very perceptible, 
not only in the great improvement in the execution of 
thoroughly British types, but also in the introduction of 
purely classical devices by Poman artists, or probably native 
artists, who had had the benefit of Poman instruction, and 
who were first employed in the British mints about the 
period when the inscribed coins of Tine (ommius) commenced, 
probably b.c. 54 ; and I have little doubt that in nearly 
every part of Britain where an inscribed coinage was current, 
one that was uninscribed had preceded it, and also that in 
most instances the use of this uninscribed currency preceded 
the Poman invasion. Finally, I may say, we have now 
evidence of a coinage belonging to the Ancient Britons 
extending over a period of two hundred years ; and though 
much has of late been accomplished in arranging this im- 
portant series, yet no doubt many types still remain un- 
described , which the researches of those living in different 
parts of the country will, it is hoped, eventually supply. 
