The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

4Actual weights in grains of well-preserved specimens are :62 E.A. SYDENHAM.the brass coins of this mint struck after 2 B.C.Thedevice does not appear, however, to have been used inthe case of copper coins.The coins of group B are, as Mr. Grueber mentions,composed of orichalcum or yellow bronze; and hegives their denominations and approximate weightsas follows :Sestertius= 4 asses, about 400 grains.Tripondius= 3 asses, 330,,Dupondius = 2 asses, 250.,As, 130This generalization, however, presents some difficultywhich calls for comment in passing. Even allowingthat the figures given above bear some correspondencewith the average weight of the coins, it is. evident thatsuch a monetary system is based on a highly artificialstandard of relative values ;and it is not easy to understandhow so elaborate a system of " token money "could have been introduced at Lugdunum with apparentlyno preparation other than that of the provincialbronze coins of group A.But from an investigation of the coins it seemscertain that no clearly defined metric system was aimedat, since actual specimens show an extraordinary variationof weight, ranging from about 200 to 400 grains.4Further, we not infrequently find two specimenspractically identical in size and general appearance,although of very different weights. This is the casewith two examples, noted below and marked *; theonly difference being in the thickness of the flan,Type 19 (Cob. 3), 408, 360-4, 282, 265, 250, 128-5 ; Type 20 (Coh. 95),384, 373-5, 359, 352, 333, 316-5, 301, 300, 292*, 253-5, 211, 209,207* ; Type 21 (Coh. 96), 256-5, 211.