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VIII. An abftraEl of a Difcourfe inti tied, 
Reflexions on the Medals of Pefcermius 
Niger , and upon fome Circumftances in 
the hiftory of his Life ; writen in French 
by Mr. Claude Gros de Boze, keeper of the 
Medals in the French King s Cabinet, etc. 
and fent by him to Dr. Mead, who com - 
municated it to this Society . By John Ward, 
R. P. G. and F. R. S. 
RtadlAzy learned Author begins his Dif- 
J 75°- courfe with oblerving, that no me- 
dals of the Roman emperors, who reigned during 
the high empire, are more rare, than thofe of Pe- 
Jcennius Niger ; that they are fomewhat fcarcer in 
fiver, than in brafs; and that it is the general opinion 
of antiquaries, there is not one extant in gold. 
And tlio Anthony Ie Pois, who lived about the 
middle of the fixteenth century, affirms in his poft- 
humous book of Antient medals (i.), that he had a. 
Pefcennius in gold, and alfo fome other perfons : 
yet he thinks, that as it is not known what became 
of thofe medals, they were counterfeits ; of whicli 
fort he has feen feveral, which being cart fromflver 
ones of that emperor, were afterwards repaired more 
or lefs artfully with a graver. He is likewife of the 
fame opinion with regard to thofe, which have been 
colle&ed by Mediobarb from other catalogues > fincc 
Mr. 
(i) Difcours fur Us Mt dailies antiques, etc. Paris. 1579. 
