Hostess:

GLEANINGS.

SHAKESPEARE'S ALLUSIONS TO COINS.

[Concluded.]

2nd part of King Henry IV. Act. 2, Sc. 1.

“A hundred mark is a long one for a lone poor woman to bear."

Here Falstaff's Dame Partlett alludes to the amount of the fat Knight's debt to her, for the recovery of which she had just brought her action against him.

I confess I am considerably puzzled in my attempt to make out the exact equivalent, in Elizabethan or Jacoban current coin, which would balance this amount of "a hundred mark." The mark, in England, according to good authority, was "a money of account," valued by the Normans at 13s. and 4d. On the other hand, a French Royal Edict, published soon after Shakespeare's death, makes the equivalent to the silver mark, when in English Shillings, 25 livres 4 sols; when in current French coin, from 22 livres 18 sols to 25 livres 4 sols; when in Netherlands money, 20 livres 4 sols; when in Spanish and Italian money, 25 livres 14 sols. And the equivalent to the mark in gold, when in French coin, 372 livres; in Spanish coin, 357 livres; in Italian coin, 348 livres.

I can offer no solution of the problem, but hazard a conjecture that 13s. and 4d. is the most probable factor, thus making Sir John's liability, in current coin, say £66 13 4 Perhaps some one among the readers of the Journal may be able to supply a more definite conclusion.

The Merchant of Venice. Act 2, Sc. 8.
"Salario.-The dog Jew did utter in the streets-
O my Christian ducats!

A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,

Of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter."

Here Shylock is described as lamenting, in semi-crazed condition, the flight of Jessica, rendered more poignant by her theft (conveyance, Falstaff would have said) of her father's gold and jewels.

Venetian ducats were struck in both of the precious metals; but the double ducat, if I mistake not, was not a coin of that Republic. At any rate, I can cite double ducats, golden pieces of Ferdinand and Isabella, struck for use in Flanders and (?) Spain. These interesting coins show on the obv. the crowned heads of the joint sovereign rulers, facing each other, with this legend, QUOS DEUS CONJUNXIT HOMO NON SEPAR. [Those whom God has joined, let no man separate]; allusive equally to the married monarchs, to the union of the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, and to the ties between Spain and the Low Countries. The reverses vary in detail. I quote one where the field is occupied by a nimbus-crowned eagle, bearing a shield blazoned with the arms of Spain, and, I think, Flanders, and having for motto, SUB UMBRA ALARUM TUAR. [Under the shadow of Thy wings]. Altogether, these double ducats are charming historically, for the portraits displayed; heraldically, for their elaborate insignia; and generally, for the inventive qualities of the designs.

THE Quarterly Review for the year 1843, has an article apropos of Cardwell and Akerman on Coins, full of sympathy with the medal-lover, and replete with pointed passages. Nothing, surely, can be more in touch with Numismatists, than the following excerpts:

"He looks upon his Coins as silent monitors, teaching many things." "Let him look for a minute on these few reverses of Roman large brass. He sees Valor standing fully armed; Honor robed and chapletted; Happiness crowned with obliviscent poppies; Concord with tended hand, and the horn of plenty in her bosom ; Hope tripping lightly, and smiling on a flower-bud. Peace offering the olive branch; Fortune resting on a rudder; Military Faith stretching forth his consecrated standard; Abundance emptying her cornucopia; Security leaning on a column; Modesty veiled and sitting; Piety taking her gift to the altar; Fruitfulness in the midst of her nurse

lings; Equity adjusting her scales; Victory with wings, coronal, and trumpet; Eternity holding the globe and risen phoenix, or better still, seated on a starry sphere; Liberty with cap and staff; National Prosperity sailing, as a good ship, before the favoring gale; and Public Faith (look to this, Columbia !*) with joined hands, clasping between them the palms of success and the caduceus of health."

W. T. N.

OBITUARY.

COIN buyers will regret to learn of the death which has occurred so recently, of MR. GEORGE A. LEAVITT, of New York, the senior member of the well known firm of auctioneers. To the frequenters of the earlier sales he seemed the friend rather than the mere business acquaintance, and lovers of the antique, whether of ancient coins, medieval missals, scarce prints, curious pottery, rare black-letter books, armor and weapons of the "Knights of old chivalric day,"-in short of antiquarian treasures of whatever kind, found a most attractive place in his chambers. He gathered around him at the outset connoisseurs who made his catalogues valuable and interesting, and they have always maintained this high reputation. The writer's earliest recollection of a visit to New York is associated with the old Trade Sales of the booksellers, over which Mr. Leavitt long and happily presided, protecting the interests of buyer and seller alike, for he seemed to have an instinctive knowledge of the value of the books offered. As memory recalls those days, he sees again the familiar faces of the leading publishers as they watched his hammer, or chaffed each other and told stories in their lunch hour between their contests. Hardly one of them remains to-day, and the "Annual Book Sale" is no longer what it was. Not less marked in character in later years, were the coin sales, where Cogan and Mickley and others now gone, battled for some rare coin or medal. Among them all Mr. Leavitt was ever a welcome guest. His memory will long remain a pleasant one.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

W. T. R. M.

CAN some of your readers give a descriptive account of the meaning of the small devices on French coins, associated with the mint mark. Many of the French mints have letters distinguishing them. A capital A, for instance, is well known as signifying that a coin was struck in Paris. Associated with this, however, I find various objects-an antique lamp, an anchor, a caduceus, a hand, a cock, a fleur-de-lis, etc. Are these Mint Master's marks, or what do they denote? An account of these would be interesting and valuable.

NORFOLK.

WHAT is this medal? Obverse, Clasped hands; over them HARMONIE curving, and below ZEULENRODA (the name of a town in Germany, in Reussgreitz). Below is an ornamental dash. Reverse, The front of a large building: no legend. I have thought it probably a Masonic, but find no Lodge with that title, mentioned as existing in the place named.

MARRIAGE MEDALS.

W. T. R. M.

IN the year 1790, a set of French Deists, who went by the name of Theophilanthropes, was founded, and was suppressed in 1801. In the Manual of these Theos, under the head of marriage, and in connection with the ceremony pursued, it is mentioned that "to these formalities may be added the presentation of the ring from the bridegroom to the bride, the Medal of Union given by the bridegroom to the bride, or other ceremonies of that kind, according to the usages of the country."

I am quite in ignorance respecting this so-called Medal of Union; I therefore end with this question, Who knows anything about such a piece?

MEDALS ISSUED BY LE REGIMENT DE LA CALOTTE.

W. T. N.

IN D'Israeli's "Curiosities of Literature," mention is made of this regiment of skull-caps, formed, at the close of the reign of Louis le Grand, by an officer and wit, who, to cure violent headaches, was recommended to wear a skull-cap of lead, and whose companion wits formed themselves into a regiment, composed only of persons distinguished by extravagances in words or in deeds. They elected a general; they had their arms blazoned and struck medals, besides issuing "brevets" and "letters patentes." Who has seen any of these medals, or a description thereof?

* Query. Does he allude to the repudiation of Mississippi State Bonds?

W. T. N.

COIN SALES.

MR. W. E. WOODWARD has held several sales of Coins, Medals, Books, and Stamps since our last notice, and has, we know, two or three more in preparation, one of a choice collection of archaeological relics, to be sold in January. We regret that owing to the state of his health at present and the pressure of business, he has been prevented from completing for us priced catalogues.

HAINES COLLECTION.

THE Collection of Ferguson Haines, catalogued by the Messrs. Chapman, was sold by Davis & Harvey, Philadelphia, October 17 and 18. (1652) Shilling, N E rev. XII, well and evenly struck, $52; 1652, Shilling, Oak tree, v. f., 6; do., uncir., weakly struck, 5.75; do., do., 5; do., 2.50; do., 4 75; do., 4; do., 3.50; do., 3.75; do., 12. Sixpence, 3; do., 2.50. Threepence, 3.75: do., 2.60 (2). Twopence, 2.60; do., 2.75. 1652, Pine tree Shilling, 6.75; do., 6; do., 4.25; do., 5; do., 7; do., 4; do., 3.50; do., 4 (3). Sixpence, 3. Threepence, 4.50; do., 3.10, etc. A false copper Penny, N. E., 50c. Lord Baltimore Sixpence, v. f., 16. Louis XIV, Gloriam Regni, 5 Sous, ex. f., 15.50; Louis XV, 1720, rev. Imp. Chrs. Regn. Vinc., 5 Livre, 13; Louis XV, 1767, copper, Francoises, Sou, 2.50; Chalmers Shilling, 1783, fine, 4.25; do., 3.25; Threepence, 8.50; Baltimore Town piece, Standish Barry, v. f., 16.50; Immune Columbia, 1785, 10: Immunis Columbia, 1787. f., 4; do, 3.62; Washington Half Dollar, 1792, g., 19; 1821, Quarter Eagle, p., 21.50; Carolina, 1834, 5 dollars, 5; Proof Set, 1858, 7 pieces, 46.50; Dollar, 1794, v. g., 44; do., g., 38.50; 1836, c. gobRECHT in field, p., 61; do., C. GOBRECHT at base, 8; 1838, Liberty seated, 13 stars, 27; do., do., poor, 54.50; '39, v. f., 31.50; do., v. f., 26; do., v. g., 20; '51, p., 52.50; '52, uncir., 46.50: '55, P., 27.50; '56, p., 12.50; '58, p., 43. Half Dollars, 1794, 5; do., 4; do., 4; do., 3.60; do., 3.25; '96, 15 stars, fine, 61; do., 16 stars, v. g., 62.50; '97, 16 stars, 16; 1801, f., 4.10; '02, fine, 7.50; do., good, 4; '15, 5.38; New Orleans Mint, 1838, ex. rare, 31.50; 252, v. f., 3.25; do., 3.60; do., ex. f., 4.12. Quarter Dollars, 1796, ex. f., 27; 1804. v. g., 3.62, '15, v. f., 3; '19, f., 4.50; '22, uncir., 5.75; '23 over '22, 32; do., 27; '53, with arrow heads and rays, 2.10. Dimes, 1796, f., 8.35; '97, 7.50: do., 8; '98, v. g., 5; 1801, v. g., 4.35; '04, f., 37. Half Dimes, 1792, Liberty, Parent, etc., f., 6.75; '94, v. g., 3.62; do., 3; do., 2.87; '96, 3.25: '97, 3.25; 1801, 3.75; '02, v. g., 61.50; do., obv. v. g., rev. poor, 40; '05, v. g. 14.25; '46, f., 4.25; '60, stars on obverse, 4. Three Cent pieces, 1851, uncir., .50; 54, do., .60; '55, do., 1.10; '56, do., .95; '63, p., 1.15; '65, unc., .90; '69, .90. U. S. Cents, 1793, chain, fair, 4.25; do., 5.62; do., 6.75; do., stars and vine edge, poor; 9.25; '93, Liberty cap, f., 35; '95, Jefferson head, v. g., 7.25; '97, f., 6.25; '99. g., 22; 1803, v. f., 16; 04, f., 11.25; '07, f., 10; '13, uncir., 6.75. Half Cents, 1793, ex. f., 10.50; '95, ex. f., 8.50; '96, v. g., 21.25; do., rare and fine, 35; 1841, poor, 10; '43, do., 8.50; '47, do., 6; '52, do., 6. We should judge that the sale was a very successful one.

THE ELY COLLECTION.

66

THE Collection of United States Gold Coins belonging to the Rev. Foster Ely, D. D., was sold by Bangs & Co., New York, November 17, 1888. Catalogue by the Scott Stamp and Coin Co. We give the prices realized for the most attractive pieces. Eagles.-1795, 15 stars (5 facing), small eagle, v. g., $13.75; '96, 16 stars (8 facing), v. g., 17.50; '97, 16 stars (6 facing), large eagle, v. g., 11; '98, 13 stars (4 facing), fine, v. r., 32; '99, 13 stars (5 facing), v. g., 10.50; 1800, fine, 11.25; 'ol, v. f., 10.50; none coined in 1802; '03, v. g., 10.75; '04, uncirculated, 33; none coined from 1804 to 1838; '38, head to left, g., 11.50. Half Eagles.-1795, 15 stars (5 facing), 9; do., large eagle, very rare, fine, 35.50; '96, small eagle, rare, v. f., 20.50; '97, 15 stars (5 facing), v. rare, fine, 35.50; do., 16 stars (5 facing), do., do., 55; do., large eagle, ex. rare, fine, 44; '98, 13 stars (5 facing), small eagle, v. r., 51; do., large eagle, 6.10; 1799, v. f., 7.50; 1800, f., 5.50; none coined in 1801; '02, v. f., 6.50; '03, v. f., 6.50; '04, v. f., 6.10; '05, f., 5.60; '06 (5 stars facing), v. g., 5.50; '07, v. f., 5.60; do., 5 D." rev., v. f., 6.10; '08, f., 5.50; '09, f., 5.60; '10, f., 5.60; '11, f., 5.70; '12, f., 5.60; '13, another type, v. f., 5.50; '14, f., 7.10; '18, 6.40; '19, uncir., v. r., 51; '20, v. f., 22; '23, 10.25; '24, v. f. and rare, 41; '26, 10.25; 28, v. f., rare, 45; '29, uncir., 36; do., another type, uncir., rare, 75; '31, f., 20.50; '33, f., r., 12.50; '34, f., 6.20; do., new type, 5.10. Quarter Eagles.-1796, no stars, f., 20; '96, 16 stars, 26; '97, 13 stars (6 facing), v. g., rare, 31.50; '98, (7 stars facing,) 13.50; 1802, v. f., 4.50; '04, f., 5; '05, 3.30; '06, (5 stars facing), v. r., 22; do., (6 stars facing), 11.50; '07, 4.20; '08, 3.60; '21, fine and rare, 17; '24, 9.50; '25, very fine and scarce, 17; '26, very fine and extremely rare (cost $75), 50; '27, v. f., 8; do., do., 8; '29, uncir., 7.50; '30, do., 5.75; '31, 3.50; '32, 3.30; '33, 3.10; '34, 5.50; do., new type, 2.60. The above set of quarter eagles is said to be complete. Gold Dollars from 1849 to 1856, from 1.50 to 2.70; from 1856 to 1887, mostly proofs, ranging from 1.30 to 3.70, except the following: 1863, 12.25; 64, 13.50; '65, 10.25; '66, 5.10; '67, 8; '75, 14.75; '76, 5.10. Gold Patterns.-1878, 10 dollars, 20; do., 5 dollars, 10; do., 10 dollars, 19; do., 5 dollars, 9.75; "but two sets of these pieces struck in gold."

HART COLLECTION.

MR. FROSSARD has just closed his Eighty-ninth Sale, which took place at Leavitt's, New York, Dec. 26-28th. There were about 1700 lots, and among them were Ancient Coins of Greece, Rome, and Judea. Of these last the collection contained a larger variety and more in number than we remember ever to have seen brought together in an American sale, and many of them were of great historic interest. Among the Greek pieces was a Decadrachm of Syracuse, signed by Evaenetus, the pupil of Kimon, (weight 639 grains) which brought $60; beside the ancient coins mentioned were medieval and modern coins, etc. A very rare and interesting piece was a Franco-American jeton of silver, struck in 1723 by

the French India Company, which brought $40. Two other of the Franco-American pieces of Louis, 1756, described by Mr. Parsons in the Journal of Numismatics, Vol. XIX, brought $60 and $62; the Oswego piece of 1758, sold for $17. There were several rare Indian chief medals, which brought excellent prices, from $12 to $31. Even an electrotype Indian medal of recent date sold for $5. Some Indian wampum, 51 beads, the first we have noticed for a long time, brought $2.50. The collection was also especially rich in Canadian issues. A set of four pieces, brass tokens of the Hudson Bay Company, extremely rare, sold for $27. The curious satirical token "Vexator Canadensis," for which the catalogue gives the first acceptable explanation we have ever seen, brought $4. The Bank of Montreal Penny Token, 1838, $51; one of '39. 53; and a third, slightly differing, 49.50; the Owen Ropery Token, 42.25; a set of Montreal Bridge tokens, 45; another set of 70 pieces of the Bouquet or Sous series, 70; there were very many Communion tokens, mostly Canadian, which brought good prices, from $1 upwards. Among the Jewish coins, an Aureus of Vespasian brought 30.50. Some old British gold also sold well, as did the Medieval coins of English kings, a Pavillion of Edward the Black Prince bringing $33, and a Hardi of the same, $20. These are but a few of the prices obtained, as the lateness of the sale forbids us from giving it the careful attention we should like. The catalogue is interspersed with valuable historic notes, and was prepared by Mr. Frossard. We have not footed up the amounts received, but the collection must have brought, as we estimate, nearly $4.500. An attractive series of six fine artotype plates of the more interesting pieces, with priced catalogue, is offered by Mr. Frossard for $2.00. We advise our readers who care to preserve representations of rare historic coins, to secure a copy. We notice that the Avalonia token, in fine condition, which, the compiler says, has been " ridiculously claimed by a fanciful contributor to a historical magazine to be a Newfoundland token," brought_30 cts.! We have no wish to revive the ire of our dormant critic, whose speculative history was so effectually disposed of by Mr. McLachlan, but the price received shows he certainly could not have attended the sale, or else he has abandoned his theory.

EDITORIAL.

We regret that the publishers of our contemporary, the Coin Collector's Journal, announce that they have found it necessary to discontinue it. The magazine ceases with the close of 1888. It has reached thirteen volumes and 156 numbers; and has been particularly valuable for the large number of cuts of coins and medals of interest, which have enriched its pages. Its proprietors, "Scott Stamp & Coin Co. L'd.," find that the increasing cares of business oblige them to suspend its publication. MEDICAL Medals have been collected by a few numismatists only. As will be seen in the introductory remarks to Dr. Storer's articles on these pieces, beginning in the present issue, there are but two or three who have acquired any considerable number. Dr. Storer has made them a study, and has published several articles upon them in some of our contemporaries, among which are those especially relating to Sanitation to which we referred in our last issue. He has not only a fine cabinet of these pieces, and an excellent library of works pertaining to them by foreign authors, but is probably better informed on the subject than any other American numismatist. We believe our readers will welcome his contributions to this branch of our favorite science, which will extend into our next volume at least.

IN reference to the rarity of English War Medals and Decorations, we learn that our statement as to the difficulty of obtaining them, although from a former soldier in the British army, needs some qualification. There is a penalty attached to the sale, as stated, but there are various ways known of evading it. The medals are easily lost, with or without any intention on the part of the owner, but an affidavit of loss, with a nominal fee, generally secures a duplicate, and a recipient, at the close of his term of service, unless he had gained a claim to a pension, might not be unwilling to part with the medal for a consideration, and there seems to be less difficulty than is generally supposed in obtaining any one desired, with patience. The number of collectors of these decorations on this side the water is as yet small, but is increasing. The medals are interesting and often valuable, and being seldom offered by dealers here, will for some time to come fairly deserve to be marked as scarce by cataloguers, and in sales we have noticed they usually bring good prices.

We regret that we find ourselves obliged to postpone the publication of favors from Messrs. Henry Phillips, Jr., and M. F. Lobo, of Philadelphia, prepared for the present number, and also several other items of interest, which will appear in our next issue.

CURRENCY.

AUTHORS, like coins, grow dearer as they grow old.

WIT, like gold coin, is circulated sometimes with one head on it and sometimes with another, according to the potentates who rule its realm.

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