The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-11-26
Curious Coins.

'.What is that curious-looking cop
per piece?" asked a reporter of deal
er in old coins.
THAT is the Roman Aes, a coin
which was in use in Rome about 2, 200
years ago. 1t is an originals; it could
not be spurious, aud for the reason
that though the coin itself, so far rs its
outward shape is concerned, nigh, be
counterfeited, it would be impossible
to initiate the red patina, or coating,
upon it. You see. this coin has two
coatings of colored maiter-one green
and the other red. Well, the green
can be initiated by modern ingenuity,
but the red stuff can not be put upon
counterfeit coins by any process at
present known To the world.
Where do you get those ancient
coins that were in use so many years
ago? Where are they found?"
"Weli, you see, people in those an
eient times did not have banks and
bank vaults 10 deposit their wealth i'll
for safe-keepiug. AS you know, the
Romans were almost constantly at
warfare with others, and those who
had money would frequently hide it in
the earth or secure it in the 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 it remained
to be resurrected by some modern relic
hunter. A great many ancient coins
have been found also in river beds. |
think that in many instances they were
put into rivers by people who wished
to nave their history remembered by
the coming ages, There have been
coins found in the Thames near old
London bridge by which we can trace
many of the Roman emperors. The
fact that they have thus been found
iii order seems to clearly indicate that
they We're deposited on purpose by per-
sons desirous of perpetuating the
names of the rulers. Thus, by these
coins of ancient Rome, many things
pertaining to that great empire which
ruled rs mistress OF the world are made
known to Us. Many things are indeli-
bly, impressed upon the mind by glanc-
ing at these coins and afterward be-
coming Interested in the subject. I
do not believe there can be better
educator of the history of any country
than Il collection of its coins. The
symbolic devices and inscriptions upon
them have Il priceless value in fixing
upon the mind the great facts and ep-
ochs to which they refer. Not only
does this apply to ancient coins; it is
equally true of modern coins. Here is
something that to the thinking man in
dicates great social and business rev.
olution III the manner and customs of
the people who use it. for here you see
a specimen of the largest coin ever
known to be IN use anywhere"
The reporter was struck with emaze-
ment when informed that the 6uoe
square copper platter-like affair was a
coin. Proceeding, the dealer said:
Yes, it is a Swedish piece and gen.
orally weighs from TO pounds. This
one weighs 81 pounds. Ii is 1O8 inches
wide by 81 inches long, and is a yerv
rare coin. 1t was made during the
reign of Frederick, king of Sweden, in
tho yoar 1923 Ia tho ovn.or of Tho
piece, inclosed in a circle, YOU see tho
stamp 4-doler, and underneath the
words 'Slf mynt' Silver money!, 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. "-BostoR Globe.