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

238 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.is hardly any tragedy of antiquity more moving thanthis.Their conflict with the Jews made the conditionsof Christianity. The Jews appealed to Rome. Koinethus found a footing in Palestine, and a RomanGovernor crucified the Christ, where a Hebrew patriotLand for Jehovah.had failed to keep the HolyIt was a tremendous conflict between Greek beautyand Hebrew holiness. Our Seleucid series shows us thereligion, the manners, and the customs of those whoseideal of progress found a set back, because it was notbased upon the ideal which we have made our own the:beauty of holiness.It is curious that of late years, when Greek coins haveattracted so much attention, this series has fallen behind.It is not difficult of study. An elementary knowledgeof Greek is sufficient. There is nothing monotonousabout the classification of the series, as there is, let ussay, about the coins of Parthia or the Ptolemies. Theseries needs attention and patience to throw lightthe most interesting period of the world's history.uponIt is with this intention that I venture to transcribethe following notes on coins in my collection.I havedeliberately omitted to describe in detail minor varieties :for example, a half-chalcous of Antiochus I with aninteresting countermark of a trident on the reverse,which exhibits Apollo, seated with his lyre beside him ;a magnificent tetradrachm of Antiochus II Jwith Apolloseated on the reverse, holding his bow in his hand, andthe monogram A/ in the field left ; to say nothing ofmere varieties of monograms and dies, which occur freelyin any collection of Seleucid coins. These ought some1See PI. IX. 2.