The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-12-09
Curious Coins.

What is that curious-looking cop
per piccoP asked reporter of n deal
or in old coins.
That is tho Roman Aes, u coin
which was in use in Rome about 2,2O0
years ago. 1t is nu originals; it could
not be spurious. nud for the rcuson
that though the coin itself. so far as its
outward shape is concerned, might b1
countcrfoitcd, it would be impossible
to initiate the red patifa, or coating
upon it. You sec, this coin has two
coatligs OF colored mattcr-ono green
aud tho other red. VOL, the green
can be Initiated by modern ingenuity,
but the rcd stuff can not be put upon
counterfeit coins by any process at
present known to the world"
Where do you get those ancient
CONS that woro in use SO many years
agoP Where are they foundP"
"Woll, you SEQ, people in those an
cicnt times did not havo banks and
bank vaults to deposit their wealth in
for safc-keeping. AS you know, tho
Romans wore almost constantly at
warfare with others, and those who
had money would frequently hide it in
The earth or secure it in tho walls of
their dwellings when they went to the
wars. Those who were killed Left,
quite often, no trace OF where their
wealth was hidden, and so il remained
to be rcsurrcciod by somo modern relic
huhtcr. a great many ancient coins
have been found also in river beds. |
think that in many instances they were
put into rivers by peop!o who wished
to have their history remembered by
tho coming ages. There have been
coins found in tho Thames near old
London bridge by which we can trace
many of tho Roman cmpcrors. Tho
fact that they have thus been found
in order sccms TO clearly indicate that
they wcrc deposited on purpose by per-
sons dcsirous of pcrpctuating the
names of the rulers. Thus, by these
coins of ancient Rome. many thin~s
pertaining to that great empire whicn
ruled rs mistress of tho world are mado
known to us. Many things are indcii-
bly, impressed upon the mind by giunc-
ing ut these coins and aftcrwar, be-
coming Interested in tho subject.
do not believe there can be - better
educator Of the history Of any country
than q collection of lis coins. Tho
symbolic devices aud inscriptions upon
ehohi hbFC PiiSSiSoS N.ttuc III INtUN
upon the mind the great facts and rD-
ochs to which they refer. Not omly
does this apply 10 ancient coins; il is
equally true OF modern coins. Here is
something that to the thinkin., man in
dicates great social and businrS, rev
olution in the manner and customs OF
the people who use it. for here you sec
specimen OF tho largest coin ever
known to be in uso anywhere.
Tho reporter was struck with amaze
ment when informed that The lingo
square copper plattor-liio affair was II
coin. Proceeding. tho dealer said:
Eyes, it is a Swedish piece and gem
orally weighs from to pounds. This
one wcig Is 62 pounds. 1t is 104 inches
wido by 81 inches long, and is II very
rare coin. 1t was made during tho
reign OF Frederick, king OF Sweden, in
the year 1928. In tho center of tho
pieco, inclosod in circle, you see tho
stamp 4-dolcr,' and underneath the
words 'Silf mynt' (siivcr muucy), and
in each of the four corners, and in Or
der to prevent the coin being clipped,
they were stamped with the royal coat
of arms. "-BOStoM G.OOc.