The plan of the work is very simple. The Greek weights are treated of first, beginning with the Attic, which are followed by those of the other standards. After these comes the Greek money, the Attic first, and then those coinages of the other states, which are either of importance enough to need notice on their own account, or may serve as samples of the separate currencies, from the value of which we may reckon the other species of Greek money. The gold money is described after the silver, and the copper after that; for each of the three metals has a distinct history concerning its own circulation in Greece. The same order is followed in what relates to the Romans and the Hebrews. The weights are computed first, and then the money: but the three metals are not thrown into different chapters, but discussed together, so far as is needful, under the general head of money. The calculation of the measures for liquids grew out of the settling of the weight of the Roman pound by means of the congius. The method is so simple, and the result so certain, if we may trust the authority of the ancient writers who give the proportions, that it seemed fully worth while to add this table, although the work was not designed to embrace the ancient measures in general. The chapter on the measures of length forming the Appendix, is compiled from the best authorities among modern writers on the subject. This, too, may perhaps seem an excrescence upon the original plan. And certainly, since the few tables of measures of length in general use are, upon the whole, correct enough for common purposes, there is not so great need of this as of the other calculations. But really there is a great want of information on the subject of the measures of length, as well as the weights and money; which is reason enough for making this addition to a work intended to be generally useful. And, at the same time, it will be interesting to some, and profitable perhaps to many, to be presented with a short summary of the researches which have been made into this part of the subject, and to have not only the results, but also the methods of the calculations set before them. Some objection may perhaps be made against the manner in which the ancient money is valued, namely, by comparing it with our own silver currency; because the latter passes for rather more than the true value, and therefore will lead to overrating the ancient coins. It is true that in reckoning large sums in ancient money, the difference between the value in our silver coin and the value at the market-price of silver would be perceptible; and if strict accuracy were required, it would sometimes be necessary to take account of this. But, practically, all our ideas of value are measured by the representatives of value to which we are accustomed, that is to say, by the coins current among us; and if we wish to form in the mind a notion of the real value of the talent weight of silver money, we do so by thinking how many of our own shillings so much Greek or Roman silver coin is worth; and this estimate is correct; although if so large a sum were to be paid in English money at this day, it would be reckoned by a different standard, namely, that of the gold currency. It is evident that the comparison with our silver money is, practically, the only way of valuing the small sums in ancient money, such as the single coins of silver. Moreover, it is to be considered further with regard to the large sums, that in late times they were sometimes (we do not know how often) paid in gold; in which case they were reckoned by a comparison between gold and silver, in which gold was much lower than it now is; so that, whenever this happened, the quantity of gold actually paid (as, for the worth of so many talents of silver, for instance) would exceed the value which the abovementioned method of valuation assigned to the ancient silver. But after all, the method used here cannot well lead to error; because the value of the money is reckoned in all cases by finding the quantity of pure silver by weight in each species of coins; of which the market price may be calculated, as easily as the worth of it in our own silver coin: and thus, although the latter is always taken for the tables, because, as has been said, it really measures our ideas of value, the other may be readily used if preferred. The decimal notation has been used, almost always, for the fractional parts, instead of vulgar fractions, for the greater convenience both of printing and reckoning. It is to be presumed that few readers will find this a difficulty. Engravings, by way of specimens, of the coins described, have not been added, because they would have needed much time and trouble to prepare, and raised the price of the book; while, at the same time, any good work on coins with plates would better answer the same purpose of shewing the figures of the ancient money; and half an hour's sight of a good collection of coins would give more knowledge than either. That the work was composed in the hours which could be spared from somewhat laborious occupations, is not more than has been said of many greater and well executed works. But, however trite the excuse, it may honestly be pleaded for defects or oversights; for certainly the book would have had a better chance of being correct and complete, had not the preparation of it been often broken off by long intervals of time wanted for other things. Those who will take the trouble to follow up the subject, and examine the larger works upon it to any great extent, will not be likely to be very harsh critics for they will know how dry and repulsive great part of the inquiry is, how full of perplexity, contradiction, and uncertainty, and how great is the difficulty of binding down such " Proteus" forms as the symbols of value in money terms in the chains of system. The knowledge of coins, indeed, takes a high sounding name, and "Numismatology" has followers who think it a "delightful science." But few of those who have ventured far into the mazes of the ancient monies, c Sestini, too, calls it " questa nobilissima scienza." Sopra le Medaglie Relative alla Confederazione degli Achei, p. 21. b have found many charms in the pursuit ; in which the scales must often be the standard of taste, and arithmetic the rule of interpretation. Let therefore the attempt to separate truth from error on this "wearisome but needful" subject, and to bring it into order in a correct and convenient shape, be judged γνώμη τῇ ἀρίστῃ. I beg leave, in conclusion, to express my thanks to those gentlemen, who have the care of such public collections of coins as I have consulted in the course of my inquiries. I owe this especially with regard to the British Museum, where, in frequent visits, I always met with a courtesy and attention worthy of that magnificent establishment. I owe much also to the kindness of the Librarian of the Bodleian Library. And at the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow, and at the Royal Library at Munich, I found the greatest urbanity and readiness to assist me, by giving all possible information. d See Hotoman De Re Num. p. 106. and Pinkerton Pref. &c. CH. CH., Feb. 5, 1836. ERRATA. P. 3. 1. 23. for Villalpandi's read Villalpando's. P. 48. 1. 5. for mint price read price. P. 107. l. 14. for Appendus read Aspendus. P. 188. 1. 28. for kekkar read kikkar. . 235. 1. 3. for παλαιστῆς read παλαιστὴς. INTRODUCTORY |