The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-02
On Mathematical knowledge In the United
States.-NO. i.
To the Editor Of the Republic:

To the Editor Of the Republic:
Sin: 1t is generally believed that numismatcal
science has made but little progress in this coun-
try, and some few remarks its real state. with
notices its public and private collections, will
perhaps he acceptable and interesting TO some Of
your readers.
These remarks are intended to appear as preface
to n descriptive catalogue Of valuable collection
OF medals and coins which has been presented TO
the Historical Society of Maryland. and which I
have chronoiogieaily classified and historically de-
scribcd
The knowledge Of coins and medals is OF 20 great
importance in history, that i, is difficult 10
any reliable conclusion without their aid II we
read attentively the liv.s OF great historians.
will find that their Imagination was Inspired by
the efhgics OF great men and heroes, faithfully
present. on coins and medals. and that they we're
guided through their toilsomc and Intricate re-
search for the true date OF every epoch in history
by coins, and this for a continual space of2. ia
yenrs. The hrst money coined in Greece was that
struck in the Island Of Aegina, by Phidon, king
Of Argos; his reign is fixed by the Arundelian
marblcsai an era corresponding to the SS5ih year
beforc Christ.
Every one who 10 not stranger TO the history
OF tho world, knows how important IL is TO have
the mind always ready TO call TO memory the me
rnorabc events in the history Of nations, their gc-
nealogy, and their relative position towards each
other
TO obtain this knowledge with case and pleasure,
aud TO impress II without much mental Jrertion on
tho memory, therc can be nothing the
purpose than veil organized and ciassihed collec
ton OF coins and medals. II 10 through their
knowledge that obtain the thread that 10 20
guide Us through the labyrinth OF history, and IL
apperiaios 20 human nature that the mind must be
strengthened by Visible marks tokens In the eye,
through which tho past, and consequently that
which is more, can be tied and Joined closcly TO
the present Thisongrosses the attention, siren rth-
ems the lima gination; and will mention here, that
whoever possesses such a collection, not for empty
and idle pastimc bat on the contrary for practical
use, and who has likewise the books relative 10
coins in his possession, will remember with ease
and quiokncss every complicated occurrence In the
history OF nations who have coined money.
IL is surprising that such collection is not 10
Gated in Washington, the seat Of Government, the
centre of art ana scientific institutions where the
use Of such collection would be Of great assist
ance and benefit 10 many
| mention this because ] brought over from
Europe IN lstt splendid collection of coins, that
| took me twenty five years 10 collect. Since then
| l have increased IL much, and 4, comprises now
about seven thousand medals and coins, besides n
large numismatical library, where all tho coins
are described.
The opinion of omincn, pcrsons, and Of such as
are capable 90 judge OF mathematical collections,
IL that Il s the beet in the country; and Tor that
reason have offered II Mt bic price, With
| the hope TINT IL will be accepted
| The public opinion in this country s that there
10 no taste for the science Of numisnstics IN this
| must differ, knowing that there many liuc
aud valuable collections, and many persons more
arc aware Of aud II "a for the purpose to throw a
little light THE subject, and in the hope that the
will not be dispeased towards me for giving
short notices Of The numismalical collections which
| have seen in America.
| must beg your pardon, sir, for beginning the
notices on collections by my own; but, as II IL now
before Congress, IL will be the means TO make II
known more publicly, 80 that every one can form
| an opinion about IL.
The collection comprises elk thousand five hun.
dred and thirty sevcn pieces. They are classified
| in the following manner, viz:
i Chronoiogically for the medals OF tho Greek
kings.
Alphabetically for Greek medals Of cities.
| Alphabetically for Roman Consular medals
/ Chronologicaly for Roman cmpcrors.
Chron0logicely for Popal coins.
Chronologicaly for Royal coins.
Alphabetically for Ecclesiastical coins.
Alphabetically Tor Principalitics, eminent men,
&c
Alphabetically for Town Money, (struck for
towns)
Alphabetically for Republics, &c
A collection Of this kind only be interesting
and OF real benefit when II is classified "a above
where every coin or medal s in its proper place
and described in catalogue. They nrc al laid in
drawers that require very little room, and can be
kept in an iron safe.
The opportunity for the United States is very
likely the only one which will occur 10 such an OK
tent In many ycnrs to come.
The classification of this collection has taken me
many years; and this, jointly with the heautfu
preservation aud rarity Of nos Of the cOins IL III
great merit la No q will give more inlorma