MASONIC MEDALS.

[Continued from Vol. xxII, p. 93.]

DCCLIV. Obverse, Same as obverse of DCCXLV. Reverse, Mono

gram of the letters D.G.P. Legend, LA REG.'. DES DEF.'. DE GUILL.'. Et de LA PAT. ALO DE BRUX.'. [The Regular Lodge of the Defenders of William and the Country, in the Orient of Brussels.] The monogram repeats the title abbreviated, "Defenders, Guillaume, Patrie." The planchet is surmounted by a loop composed of oak leaves.' Bronze, gilt. Size 26.

DCCLV. Obverse, An hexagonal-pointed star formed of two triangles braced." Two Two right hands clasped. An irradiated triangle on which is an All-seeing eye. Legend, MONS | PARF.. UNION.. in two lines. At the three angles of the lower triangle in triangles, J.B.G. which probably have reference to the two pillars and the sacred symbol. Reverse, Plain. Star-shaped. Bronze. Size, from point to point, 18.

Obverse, A draped female figure seated, holding an olive branch, whilst another female empties a cornucopia at her feet; between the two, a bee-hive on a stand. Legend, PLENTY AND PEACE ARE THE FRUITS OF INDUSTRY AND SUBORDINATION. Reverse, Engraved with emblems of the Royal Arch degree, and the legend, PHOENIX NO. 368. Silver. Size not given.3

DCCLVI. Obverse, Naked bust of Frederick VII of Denmark to the right, wearing a wreath of laurel leaves and berries tied by a bow at the back of the head; the end of the ribbon turns to the right, and falls on the bare neck; on the decollation, SCHMAHLFELD FEC. in very small letters. Legend, above, FREDERICK VII. R. 8D FR. M.'. PROV V.'. s.'. v.. [Frederick VII, King, Vicar of Solomon for life, of the Eighth Province of Freemasons.] Below, †5863. 11. 15 (Died Nov. 15, 1863). Reverse, A cross patée, within an open wreath of palm to the right and acacia to left and tied with ribbon at the bottom; a sword with its hilt to the right is thrust through the bow; the ends of the ribbon are entwined with the sword-blade on the left, and the stalk of the acacia at the right; above the cross is a radiant double triangle, interlaced

This is a member's badge of some Lodge which does not exist, nor can any trace of it be found in the Calendars of 1863 or 1869, as I learn from Bro. Shackles. 2 Bro. Shackles tells me that the Grand Orient of France constituted at Mons, 9 May, 1800, the Lodge Concorde according to its Modern Rite. In 1838 the Lodge passed to the Grand Orient of Belgium under the name of Perfect Union. Hence the legend on the medal. On the 29th Dec. 1839, the Lodge superadded the grades of A. and A. S. Rite, so that there are now attached two Chapters of the 18th or Rose Croix grade, (one Rit Moderne " 1806, and one A. and A. S. Rite, 1840,) and an Areopagus conferring up to the 30°. The Lodge is still working.

3 Bro. Hughan considers this piece, the obverse of which is from a die, (which was shown in the Masonic Exhibition at Worcester, England, Aug. 27, 1884, No. 31), and at Shanklin, Sept, 9, 1886 No. 314,) to be Masonic; and in commenting on it in the earlier catalogue, thought the obverse was struck in England and the reverse subsequently engraved in the United States; in the latter he traces it to a Lodge in England. I hesitate to express a contrary opinion, but while plenty and

peace are symbolized in the second degree, it is by different emblems from the above, and the bee-hive alone is hardly sufficient to entitle it to be classed as Masonic, since it is often used on medals having no relation to the Order; as for instance, on the piece mentioned on page 251 of my work, frequently but erroneously catalogued as Masonic. The lack of any other distinctively Masonic device, as well as of any attribution on the obverse, and the fact that the reverse is engraved, seems to me to throw additional doubt upon it. From all that appears, it may be a prize medal of some Exhibition, with the reverse smoothed and engraved. Hughan has succeeded in tracing the Lodge mentioned, for he says "Phoenix Lodge No. 368 was removed to Hull, England, in 1817, vide Riley's Yorkshire Lodges, page 76." I infer from this that he has changed his opinion, at least as to the origin of the engraved reverse. It is an interesting medal, and I insert the description, hoping further light may discover the source of the obverse die. I judge that some member of the Lodge, pleased with the emblems of the obverse, which certainly suggest the emblems of the Fraternity, had adapted the medal to Masonic use.

or "braced," on which is G. Legend, OPFYLDTE LOFTER VARE HANS TROST I DODEN [Fulfilled promises were his comfort or trust in death]. At the bottom, very small, w. CHRISTESEN.' Bronze. Size 34.

DCCLVII. Obverse, A foul anchor with a crown at the end of one of the stocks. No legend. Reverse, Inscription in three lines, MONDAY | NIGHTS LODG in rude letters. Brass. Size 19. This is probably a cast; although it has no Masonic emblem, I think it is most probably an old English Medal of the Fraternity; it is possible of course that it may be of some non-Masonic body, but its apparent age leads me to this attribution, in which Bro. Hughan

coincides.2

DCCLVIII. Obverse, The two pillars on a platform, their plinths corner-wise to the observer; they are surmounted by ornamental capitals and a pomegranate (in form resembling a pine-apple), one on the top of each; against that on the right leans a ladder of three rounds, over which, between the pillar and the edge of the medal, are a hand holding erect a flaming sword, and three candles arranged in a triangular form; against the pillar on the left leans the twenty-four inch gauge, above which is a sprig of acacia, a gavel, and a trowel; between the pillars, resting on three steps, is the Holy Bible erect, on which are the square and compasses; over it is the face of the radiant sun, above it on the left the crescent moon, and on the right a cluster of seven stars; at the top the All-seeing eye sheds its rays; in exergue, the level with the square on the left and the plumb on the right; between the plumb and the foot of the ladder is the name of the die-cutter, BRUSH (?) very small. No legend. Reverse, The porch of a temple, two columns on either side, supporting an entablature, from which springs an arch, the key-stone of which is wanting; at the top, over the arch, a glory from which rays fall through the space, and a hand (?) is extended downward from the rays; between the two pillars on the left is the rod of Moses entwined with a serpent, over which is a burning bush; between the two pillars on the right are three triangles interlaced, and above them Moses kneels and receives the tables of the Law from heaven; between the centre pillars stands an altar approached by seven steps, on its right a vase or pitcher; on its left the ephod or breast-plate of the High Priest; over the altar is the letter G, an Eastern crown above it and one on each side; an ashlar at the foot of the arch on each side, rests on the top of the entablature; in the exergue is what

1 This mortuary medal, struck by the Grand Lodge of Denmark, I describe from an impression sent me by Mr. Lyman H. Low, of New York. The legend on the reverse is said to have been the favorite motto of the king. I hazard the interpretation of the second v on the obverse; v. s. I have no doubt stands for Vicar of Solomon, the name of the highest grade in the rite and also of the Presiding Officer (See Note 294). This office, in Denmark at least, appears to have been held for life.

It has been thought by some authorities to have reference to the Rite of Strict Observance, introduced into Denmark by Baron von Bulow in 1782, but the eighth province of that rite was Russia; Rebold says, (p. 621,) that that system was abandoned after the Convention of Wilhelmsbad, in 1782, and Danish Masonry returned to the English system of 3 degrees, but retained the Past Master and Scotch Master grades. Jan. 6, 1855,

the Grand Lodge adopted the Swedish Rite of 12 degrees, based on the Rite of Zinnendorf (of 7 degrees). I have not learned the provincial divisions of this, and the authorities I have consulted differ hopelessly in their statements. I learn from Bro. Shackles that the Swedish rite has now but two "provinces "; I presume that Norway and Sweden may constitute one, and Denmark another, and though there are not so many as formerly, it retains its original number. Frederic was elected to the position in 1848 under the old regime, and seems to have retained the old title.

2 I have found no Lodge of this name in Hughan's List of Lodges at the time of the "Union," but about 1770 the Grand Lodge and some of the subordinate Lodges were accustomed to hold their meetings at the "Crown and Anchor," Strand, London. See Note 321. I describe this from the specimen in the Poillon Collection.

I suppose to be a roll, and the name of the die-cutter, BRUSH, repeated.' Silver. Size 25 nearly.

DCCLIX. Obverse, The arms of the City of London; argent, a cross gules; in the first quarter a sword erect gules, the emblem of St. Paul, the patron saint of the city. On the horizontal cross bar, 1882. Legend, On the right, the city motto abbreviated, DOM. DIR. NOS [For Domine dirige nos, O Lord, direct us,] and on the left Rm I BOYS [Royal Masonic Institution for boys.] Reverse, Plain or not described. An engraving of this medal, struck for the annual celebration of the institution named, which is a charity under the patronage of the Grand Lodge of England, is given in the London Freemason for July 1, 1882, page 39. I do not know the metal, but suppose it is of silver; the size is perhaps as engraved.❜

DCCLX. Obverse, A circle, formed by a snake devouring its tail, surrounds a triangle; on the left, >ULL; on the right, VOU; below, A JOV.<<, which does not require explanation; within it a keystone on which HTWSSTKS Reverse, Within a circle the mallet and chisel crossed, surrounded by the legend, SON OF MAN MARK WELL Outside the circle the legend, ADVANCED and space for date. Bronze. Size 21.3

DCCLXI. Obverse, Within the square and compasses a pentalpha (the English jewel for a Provincial Grand Master, a position corresponding very much to that of District Deputy Grand Master in American Lodges). Legend, SIR E. A. H. LECHMERE BART. M. P. P. G. M. W. B. WILLIAMSON, MAYOR. MASONIC EXHIBITION. AUG. 27. 1884. WORCESTERSHIRE. Reverse, The arms of the city of Worcester impaled in sinister with another coat, with which I am not familiar. I have seen only an engraving of this medal, which is not so distinct as could be desired, and I doubt if it fully represents the blazon. Dexter, parti per fess: in dexter chief a bee-hive and in sinister a sloop sailing sinister, a horn of plenty below (tinctures not indicated): in base, per pale, argent and gules, dexter an anchor; no device on sinister. Sinister, the arms of Worcester; quarterly, sable and gules, over all a castle triple-towered argent. The first quarter impales the arms of the same city as used at a later period; argent, a fess between three pears sable, two in chief, one in base. Legend, Separated by a circle, FLOREAT SEMPER FIDELIS CIVITAS. [May the faithful city flourish forever.] An ornamental cross at the bottom. Silver, bronze, and white metal. Size 26.

[To be continued.]

This is evidently a Royal Arch medal of English origin, and my description is made from a rubbing of the impression in the collection of Bro. James Newton, P. P. S. G. D., of Bolton, England, sent me by Bro. Hughan; I may have omitted some minor details. Doubtless rare, as I have never seen or heard of any other impression. This piece was shown in the Masonic Exhibition at Worcester, August, 1884, No. 33. 2 There have been badges struck for other Annual Celebrations of this Charity, and also for the other Masonic charities supported by the English Freemasons, as I am informed, but they are badges rather than medals: some of them I understand have been very elegant and elaborate; but they are hardly to be considered Medals, and I have made no effort to get descriptions for that reason,

W. T. R. MARVIN.

3 This medal is described from one in the collection of Bro. J. Newton, of Bolton, England, P.P.S.G.D., East Lancashire, exhibited at Worcester (No. 36), Aug. 27, 1884. It is there stated that it was designed by Major F. G. Irwin, of Bristol, England, as a Mark token.

4 This medal, for an engraving of which I am indebted to Bro. Hughan, was struck in commemoration of the opening of the Masonic Exhibition, held at Worcester, England, Aug. 27, 1884, by Sir E. A. H. Lechmere, the Provincial Grand Master. In the Catalogue of this Exhibition, the last number mentions a medal with a different legend, "Masonic Exhibition, Worcester, Aug. 27, 1884." I have seen no other description or mention of such a medal, and think that the legend may have been changed to that in the text, and the die cut after the description was made.

GLEANINGS.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM GOLD ROOM.

TURNING out of the gallery of ancient glass and majolica, a closed door to the left opened on my ringing, and admitted me to the passage leading to the gold room, to which I proceeded after the formality of inscribing my name and address on the official record of visitors. I then found myself in an apartment of about twenty-five feet square, lighted by a glass roof, wall cases surrounding the chamber, and the floor also filled with other cases ingeniously constructed to show to great advantage the treasures displayed.

Commencing with the western side, the exhibits comprise Phoenician detached beads (the earliest colored glass made) and necklaces; ornaments, in gilded terra cotta, such as the flying Niké (Victory; snakes intertwined; Pallas; pendants and gilded leaves; besides bronze gilded leaves, silver dishes from Toulouse, etc., all of early Greek (?) manipulation. Succeeding the above, in cases against the north wall, appear the Museum collection of rings, and gems for mounting therein; rings of bronze, rings of gold, rings of ivory, classical, mediaeval, and renaissance in period; apostolical rings; grotesques; a very phalanx of these finger ornaments. I enumerate a few designs, i. e. the snake form, so popular at this present date, gold rings with bezels engraved, to use as seals; gold rings with heads of that precious metal, in relief, and comprising among others, Hecate, a Satyr, Athene, a tragic Muse, and a Medusa. Further noteworthy specimens are found in the Victory crowning a charioteer, taken from the famed Syracusan Medallion; and some Assyrian rings with animals on the bezels. Past the door of entrance, in the first upright wall case are gold objects of various periods, among which are seen a gold medal portrait of Queen Elizabeth, a couple of gold snuff-boxes formerly belonging to Napoleon I, one with his miniature and a setting of brilliants, the other with a cameo of a satyr and goat. Then in the cases abutting the east wall, are exhibited Anglo-Roman ornaments in gold; chains, bracelets, torques; Byzantine and Teutonic decorative and personal objects, of ancient British, Irish, and barbaric character, all in gold. Fresh examination revealed Egyptian rings and seals, rude Assyrian masks of thin beaten metal, silver and amber ornaments from Praeneste; a gold bowl, embossed, with a procession of six bullocks, from Agrigentum; and gold objects in variety from Sardinia. Of early Etruscan designs, continuing on in the cases on the south side, there are numerous examples, both in impressed, embossed, and filigree golden work, as witness armlets from Cæde; masks; lovely throatlets of elaborate construction; brooches, one with a chimera in relief; a golden bulla,* representing the birth of Pegasus from the body of Medusa; a large circular ornament of filigree and agates; another circular piece with a mask or Gorgon's head, as on coins of Parium, for suspension as a bulla in the centre of a necklace; and lastly, a necklet of diotas (vases) alternating with heads of Io. In late Etruscan style, there are seen large golden leaves, sepulchral diadems, a myrtle coronet, and various ear-rings of striking character.

The cases ranged on the south contain specimens in the "Finest Greek" style, notably ear-rings in the form of bulls' heads, in the round; a pendant Victory under a solar disk; Thetis on a dolphin, inspired by a coin of Tarentum; a chain, with negro head ornaments; a twisted bracelet, the centre having an affinity to a Runic pattern; a ruby, or garnet-set chain, with lions' heads in the round, at the two ends; a fine beaded chain from Capua; a sceptre, having a terminal boss, formed by a Corinthian capital and an apple; and rings with female heads and figures incised. All the above are in the purest gold, as are also sundry striking examples of "Late Greek" manipulation. Lastly, the wall cases exhibit "Roman" specimens, which include gold earrings shaped as amorini; others as vases; ornaments with garnets set therein; large * A bulla was an ornament suspended from the neck, with the design, usually, to avert the evil eye.

necklets with coins mounted as bulla (of such gold coins there are aurei of Postumus Pius, of Lucilla Augusta, of Philip the Arabian, of Severus Alexander, and of Galba); further noteworthy objects being a bracelet with settings of plasma (the root of the emerald) and a bracelet of gold, plasma, and pearls.

The centre of the "Gold Room" is filled up by cases for gems, some so contrived that the camei, etc., when examined, are found to be placed so as to show their transparency. Among so many admirable examples of antique art, it is difficult to select any as being super-eminent, but the following may be considered as very choice and superb, viz: a large Medusa on amethyst, from the Strovni collection; a large Herakles on chalcedony, in extreme relief; another Herakles, full-face, in almost as high relief; a Medusa on chalcedony, very fine indeed; an Augustus, with ægis, on sardonyx, the ægis being brown, the field dark brown, the head, etc., white, while a golden diadem, set with emeralds and a small cameo, encircle the Caesar's brow; a fullfaced Zeus on sardonyx, from Apuleia; and some modern engraved gems, worth examination, especially one, a head of Pallas, closely copied from a Thurium didrachm, and another, copied from the Dodonean Jove on the coins of Pyrrhus. Some antique pastes in intaglio repay attention as curiosities; especially to be mentioned are a Venus and Adonis, a Bath of Venus, and Ariadne and Cupid. The archaic gems from Greek islands are quaint and rude, and in treatment and manipulative peculiarity resemble objects of a similar nature from Assyria.

The celebrated Portland Vase, of blue glass, with white figures cut in relief thereon; and the jar of alabaster, inscribed Xerxes, the great king, are so fully described in the Museum handbooks as to render any notice here unnecessary, further than the statement that they are objects of surpassing interest and beauty.

WM. TASKER-NUGENT.

FACTS ABOUT OLD PAPER MONEY.

CONTINENTAL currency issued by authority of the Congress of the United States, sells to-day at less than a cent on the dollar of face value. The $30 bill issued under resolution of May 10, 1775, can be bought now for twenty-five cents. The $2 bill of the same date is also worth twenty-five cents. In other words, the face value of the bill has no relation whatever to its value as a curiosity. Probably the nearest that any Continental currency comes to par, is in the case of the $4 and $5 bills printed under resolution of Congress at Yorktown, April 11, 1778. The $4 bill, with a boar and spear, brings $3, if in fine condition, and the $5 bill, with a hand and brush, also $3, if in good condition. Certain very small bills, owing to comparative rarity, bring more than some bills of very high denominations. A great many people have held on to the Continental currency, in the expectation that it would be redeemed, and every now and then somebody sends his collection to Washington, demanding payment, only to be met by a rebuff. The quantity of Continental money in the market is frequently augmented from the hoard of some departed veteran, whose father may have given full value for it in times long gone by, and who has kept it, sooner than part with it for a song, as a curiosity. The heirs, having a more practical view of the subject, are generally willing to let the stuff go at collectors' rates.

State issues of paper money are of more value, as a rule, than the United States or Continental money, being much rarer, especially if issued in the Colonial period. A Connecticut five-shilling bill of 1764 is worth $2; a one shilling and threepence of the same date is worth the same; a twopence of 1777 is worth $1.50, and so forth. Delaware bills, many of which were printed by Franklin, are more common and less costly. Georgia issues are scarce and costly, a $20 bill, however, being worth just the same as a quarter of a dollar-$2. One of these, which represents a tree forcing a millstone upward by its growth, is interesting and suggestive, the motto also alluding to the growth of the colonies, notwithstanding the oppression of England. Maryland