Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-29
CURIOUS COINS.
Some of the Queer Roman Pieces and
! Their History.
Boston Globe.

"What is that curious looking cop
per piece?" asked e reporter of deal
er IN old CONS.
''That is the Roman Aes, a coin
which was in use la Rome about 3 200
years age 1t is an original one; it could
not be spurious, and for the reason
that though the coin itself, SO far as
its outward shape is concerned, might
be counterfeited, it would be impos-
sible to initiate the red patina, or coat
ing upon it. You see, this coin has
two coatings of colored matter-one
green and the other red. Well, the
green can be initiated by modern in
genuity, 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
ago2" Where are they found2'
'Well, you see, people in those an
Gent times did not have banks and
bank vaults to deposit their wealth in
for safe keeping. AS you know, the
Romans were almost constantly en-
gagged in warfare with others, end
those who had money would frequent
ly hide it in the earth or secure it in
the walls of their dwellings when they
went to the wars. Those VINO 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. 4 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 have
their history remembered by the com
ing ages. There have been coins
bridge by which we can trace many
of the Roman emperors. The fact
that they have thus been found in or
der seems to clearly indicate that they
were deposited Oh purpose by persons
DESTROYS OF perpetusting the names of
the rulers" Thus, by these coins of
ancient Rome, many things pertain
ing to that great empire which ruled
as mistress of the world are made
kaown to us. Many things are in
delibly impressed upon the mind by
glancing at these coins and afterward
becoming interested in the subject. !
do rot believe there can be better
educator of the history Of any coun>
try than a collection of its coins. The
symbolic devices and inscriptions upon
them have q priceless value in fixing
upon the mind the great facts and
epochs 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
indicates a great social and business
revolution in the manner and customs
OF the people who use it, for here you
see specimen of the largest coin ever
known to be in use anywhere"
The reporter was struck with amaze
ment when informed that the huge
square copper platter-like affair was
a coin. Proceeding, the dealer said: :
Eyes, it is Swedish piece and gen.
orally weighs from 6 to Z pounds
This one weighs 81 pounds. It is 1O4
inches wide by 81 inches long, and is
a very rare coin. TWAS made during
the reign Of Frederick, king of Sweden,
in the year 1928. In the center of the
piece, inclosed ia a circle, you see the
stamp 4-dolsr, and underneath the
words 'Silf mynt' Silver money!, and
in each of the four corners, and in orr
der to prevent the COIN being clipped,
they were stamped with the royal coat
of arl-as."