The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-16
Some Rare Coins.

think, says the New York correspon-
dent of the Chicago Tribune, that there
is only one numismaticiau in this coun-
try at present. l refer to CASTOR Feuar-
dent, of Lafayette place, who is so
skilled in the knowledge Of coins, in
classical archaeology and in antiquarian
lore Of all sorts, that others are scarcely
to be mentioned in comparison. He is .
descendant from long line of archnolo.
gists, and has made antique remains,
ruins, and statuss the study of his life.
He is pretty we'll known now IS the
Nemesis of Di Cesnols. I met Mr..
Feuardent yesterday, and casually asked
q few questions about coins.
1.-The highest priced modern coin" he
said, lis the United States silver dollar
of 1904. There are, 1 believe. only two
in existence, and these change hands at
the rate of about $1,000 apiece. A few
years ago some officer of the mint found
the old die of this rare dollar, and struck
off some sixty OF them, He was found
out, and the dollars we're destroyed and
the die broken. A FIVE sovereign gold
piece of King Charles I, recently sold in
England for $1,000. but that was fancy
price, and hardly to be maintained. In
London $4,000 has been paid for rare
copper coin of the Roman Emperor
Geta. 1, myself, sold to Louis Napoleon
the most valuable coin in the world.
When first heard of this was at din
rer with some gentlemen in London.
One of them told about ragged stroller
who had that day offered to sell to him
splendid gold coin from central Asia,
nearly as large as the palm of his hand.
He sent him of as . mountebank and
swindler. The description of the coin
fred my imagination in a way that all
collectors will understand. I hastily ex-
cusel myself, called cab, and went out
to the suburbs to q wretched quarter
where / knew these Indian traders we're
| wont to congregate. I searched some
hours before found the man from Box
hara, and got him out of his squalid
bed. We went into q room alone, and
there, removing his outer clothing the
tawny man drew from his arm sweaty
bag, and from the bag he brought forth
the most magnificent coin had ever
seen. II was obviously genuine
antique, stamped by King Eu-
cratides of India, one of the success
sors of Alexander the Great. / was much
excited, but strove to appear cool. On
the diverse was an engraved head Of the
king, on the reverse fine relief Of Cas-
tor and Pollux. It bore date about 1876
B. G. He said the coin had fret been
found by seven men. but they got into .
deadly feud over it, and five were slain.
He and friend were the only survivors.
He put an extravagsnt price on it. and
refused TO pay it. At last offered him
E1OO0-about S5O00-and gave him only
ten minutes to consider the proposition.
After that I told him that should take
of 800 each minute from my offer. Be-
fore the ten minutes we're up the coin
Vas mine. I carried it 10 France and
showed it to the emperor. Napoleon. He
offered me $1,000 for it, and accepted it
q Q command that 30 rare . treasure
should never leave France. It may now
be seen IN Paris among the antique
trophies, honored by being placed IN q
case all by itself beneath the eye Of the
sentinel. It is the finest coin in the
world"
HWhen were the first coins struck"
about 800 years before Christ. Be-
fore that time the commerce of the
world was entirely by barter-exchang.
ing one thing for another. The Egyp.
tians never had any coins till these
great kings came, after the death Of
Alexander. They used rings for money.
These are the oldest Egyptian money
found. The oldest money was somewhat
like--why, this 10 it."
n. Feusrdert led the way TO . case
where some hundreds OF thousands OF
coins we're displayed. The oldest money
looked like Q buckshot that had been
NaAk>un1 s~ssoak a sAona ~a11 IN nn>
side vas slight depression, whore the
metal had received The dab Of pises Of
iron While hot. A century or two later