[ 89 1 
with a religious Intent, till at length by common 
Ufe, and being joined with other Devices, they be- 
came only Prefs-marks, and Badges of Diflin&icn 
among the Trade ; as they now are with Merchants, 
who mark their Goods with them both here and 
abroad. 
A like Event has happened to another Character, 
made up of the Greek LettersX and P joined in this man- 
ner p, which we full: meet with in fome large 
brafs * Coins of th z Riolemeys^ Kings of <^/Egypt, 
where it was placed on a civil Account. Some 
Writers have taken it for a Date, and others for the 
initial Letters of a proper Name (a). But as no Rea- 
fons are affigned for either of thofe Conjectures, I 
would rather fuppofe it an Abbreviation of the 
Word XPHMA, Money, imprelTed on thofe Pieces 
to denote their Currency as Money. Which might 
be thought proper, as they have not the Heads of 
the Kings ftamped upon them, like their Silver and 
Gold Coins ; but always that of 'Jupiter on the Front, 
and an Eagle perched on a Thunder-bolt upon the 
Reverfe ( b ). And in that refpeCt they feem to agree 
with fuch brafs Medalions of the Romans , as we find 
ftampt with the Letters SC,- which in the Opinion 
of a judicious Antiquary were defigned to intimate, 
that after they had been difperfed as Largeffes to the 
Populace, they were to pafs for Money, like the 
common brafs Coins marked with thofe Letters by 
the Authority of the Senate ( c ). An Imprefllon of 
(a) Pignorius Epifi. 24. (b) See Suidas in the Word 
[c) La Science des MedaiUes , Tom. I. pag. 2x1. 
ed. 1739. 
M 2 
one 
