The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-12-03
Curious Cni,,s.


"What is that curous-looking cop
per 'piecep' asked Il reporter of n deal
er in old coins.
That is the Roman Aes, coin
which was in uso in Rome about g, 200
years ago. ltis an original; it could
not be spurious, and for tho reason
that though the coin itself. so far as its
outward shape is cnucern.d might bo
counterfeitod, it would be impossible
to initiate tho rod patina, or coating,
upon it. You sec. this coin has two
coatings of colorcd ma'trr-ono groeu
and tho other rod. We'll, tho green
can DO initiated hv moirrn ingenuity,
but the red stun can not bo put upon
counterfeit coins by any process ut
present known to the World"
Where do you get those ancient
CONS that were in use so many years
agop Where arc thuy iouu.!p"
"Woli, you 500. Pount" i'll those un-
cicnt times did not have banks and
bank vaults TO deposit thoir wealth in
for saie-kccpin%. As you know, tho
Romans wore almost constantly at
warfare with others. and those who
had money would frequently hide it in
tho earth or secure it in tho walls of
their dwellings when they went to the
wars. Those who were killed. left,
quito often, no trace of whcro thoir
wealth was hidden, and so it remained
to be resurrccled by some modern relic
hunter. a great many ancient coins
have been found also in river buds.
think that in many instances they were
put into rivers by people vino wished
to have their history remembered by
tho coming ages. There have boon
coius found in the Thames near old
London bridge by which we can trace
many OF tho Roman empcrors. The
fact that they have thus been found
in order scoms TO clearly indicate that
they were deposited on purpose by por-
sons desirous of perpctuating tho
names of the rulers Thus, by these
coins of ancient Rome. many things
pertaining to that great empire which
ruled as mistress of the world are mado
known to us. Many things aro indeli-
bly, impressed upon tho mind by glanc-
ing at these coins and afterward be-
coming Interested in the subject. l
do not believe there can be better
educator of tho history of any country
than u collection Of lis coins. The
symbolic devices and inscriptions upon
them have Il priceless valuo in fixing
upon the mind tho great facts and ep-
ochs to which they refer. Not only
docs this apply to ancient coins; it is
equally true of modern coins. Hero is
something that to tho thinking man in
dicates a great social and business rev.
olution in tho manner and customs of
the people who usc it. for here you SEQ
q specimen of the largest coin ever
known to bo in use anywhere"
The reporter was struck with amaze
mont when informed that tho hugo
square copper platter-like affair was a
coin. Proceeding, the dealer said:
Yes, it is Swedish piece and gen.
orally weighs from 6 to 7pounds. This
one Weighs 81 pounds. 1t is 1O4 inches
wide by 81 inches long, and is Il very
rare coin. 1t was mado during tho
reign of Frederick, king of Sweden, in
tho year 1928. In the center of tho
piece, incloscd in circle, you SEQ tho
stamp '4-doler, and underneath tho
words 'Silf mynt (silvcr monoy), and
in each Of tho four corners, and in Or
der to prevent the coin being clipped,
they were stamped with the royal coat
OF arms. Boston G,Obc.