The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

456 SIR ARTHUR EVANS.
" "
sixtieths taking their place beside the siliquae as
current coin.
It is to be noted that the average weight of the
"medallions" from the North Mendip and Harptree
finds is distinctly below the average presented by a mass
of isolated finds. The heavier specimens would be natu-
rally kept apart from the ordinary currency, and might
indeed in some cases have been profitably melted. That
this process of elimination was at work appears from a
comparison of the weights given in Gnecchi's great work
on Eoman medallions, in which is included a consider-
able series of this class, taken from all sources from the
time of Constantine to Honorius. 19 An analysis of 305
coins of this series yields an average weight of 4-65
grammes. 202 of these pieces weigh between 4 and
5 grammes ;
55 are over 5 grammes 20
(with an average
weight of 5-28 grammes), and 48 under 4 (with an
average weight of 3-72 grammes). They range from
about 3-2 to 5-8 grammes. As in the case of the sili-
quae, it is the maximum weights that give the real
clue to the theoretical standard. And in this case we
obtain definite information from a remarkable piece
struck at Aquileia on the occasion of the Decennalia
of Constans, 21
giving the numerical indication LX
19
Grnecchi, Medaglioni Romani, i, pp. 57 seqq.
20
It is noteworthy that twenty of these referred in one way or
another to the quinquennial festivals. It looks as if on these
occasions fuller measure was allowed.
21 Cohen, viii, p. 429, No. 164 (Gnecchi, op.cit., i, p. 64, Pl.xxxi. 2).
Rev. VICTORIAE DD.NN. AVGG. Victory seated to 1. and
holding shield on her knees inscribed VOT X MVLT XV :
in ex. LXAQ.. The module 27 mm. is somewhat large, but is
equalled by other " medallions " of the present series. A similar
piece with AQ. only in the exergue (Cohen, No. 163) weighs
5'38 grammes.