statement of the accounts of the United States we find among the "Expenditures for Contingencies" between January and July, 1783, several items for dies for the mint, and in Robert Morris's diary for April 2, 1783, "I sent for Mr. Dudley, who delivered me a piece of silver coin, being the first that has been struck as an American coin," and twenty days later, "Mr. Dudley sent in several pieces of money as patterns for the intended American coins." The silver coins here mentioned were the Nova Constellatio pieces. Now it seems, that, while the striking of coppers was meditated by the American mint, none were actually struck at that time. Yet there are four or five varieties of the 1783 token cent, the "Unity" being of French manufacture, while the others are of English. They have always been considered to have been, and doubtless were, pattern pieces, made abroad for adoption here, and all the circumstances point to these pieces having been actually struck in the year (1783) they have stamped upon them, while the term cent would seem to have arisen from an imperfect understanding of the decimal and unit systems of Morris and Jefferson.

CLEANSING GOLD COINS.

WE Cut the following from the London Telegraph. At first sight it appears to be an exaggerated statement. True, the loss is only about one-thirtieth of one per cent., yet even that seems too large an item to be carried to the wrong side for so simple an operation. It appears to be taken, however, from the Mint Report, and we should like to know how it strikes our own mint assayers.

Lord Palmerston defined dirt as merely matter in the wrong place; and we are not aware that the general soundness of this comprehensive dictum has ever been seriously disputed. Now, if there be one place where, more than another, it can be said that dirt has no business at all, many will say it is on the surface of gold coins. They are smooth, bright, and carefully looked after as a rule, and also, as a rule, are in the hands of clean people, since they are not employed, like coppers, in the daily traffic of poor persons, or of squalid industries. Yet they manage to absorb on their shiny surfaces a good deal of dirt. A mint report calls attention to the loss which the washing of gold coin involves, and the statement is certainly curious enough, whether the dirt is supposed to arise from circulation or from the process of coinage. To wash 1,000,000 sovereigns costs £311 in loss of weight, and the halfsovereigns suffered more in proportion. If careful cleansing releases all this amount of gold, it follows that the ordinary user of coin must, without knowing it, dissipate in the course of a lifetime a little fortune in rubbed, “sweated,” and dirtied gold. Following up the ingenious calculation of the American as to the buried plates from the dentists, it might seem that much more refined gold has returned to the earth than remains to be extracted from it by the work of the miner at the native ore.

In removing an old chimney near Powhattan Court House, an old man found firmly imbedded in the mortar a medal awarded to the Duke of Cumberland. On one side of this is a battle scene with this inscription "Rebellion justly rewarded," and below that "Culloden, 16 Ap., 1746."

CANADIAN NUMISMATICS.

CLII. Obv. WINDSOR

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.

[Continued from VOL. XV, p. 59.]

HOTEL MONTREAL

LARGEST IN THE DOMINION.

View of the Peel Street front of the building. Above, OPENED | 28 JANY 1878 Below, J. WORTHINGTON | PROPRIETOR

Rev. IN COMMEMORATION | OF A | BANQUET & BALL | TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL | AND COUNTESS OF DUFFERIN | BY THE CITIZENS OF MONTREAL | FEB. 12TH & 14TH 1878 inscription in ten lines, occupying the whole field. Size 36 m. R 1.

The opening of the Windsor Hotel was thought by Mr. Lymburner to be a favorable opportunity for issuing a medal. He therefore had dies for the above medal prepared, and disposed of a number of impressions at the ball, and a few to collectors, but the design is poor and the execution does little credit to the artist.

CLIII. Obv. MONTREAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION * Ex. BUILDING ERECTED | 1872 Within a circle, DESIGNED BY A. D. STEELE SUP. ARCH A. C. HUTCHISON Corner view of the Association building. On the ground is J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.

Rev. FOUNDED A. D. 1851. INCORPORATED A. D. 1870 Inscription in field, board of DIRECTORS | T. JAS. CLAXTON | CHAIRMAN | THOS. CRAIG | TREASURER | ALF. SANDHAM | SECRETARY | E. V. MOSELEY G. YOUNG | W. CLENDINNENG C. ALEXANDER | N. S. WHITNEY J. TORRANCE | E. K. GREENE H. A. NELSON LYMAN D. MORRICE | R. IRWIN L. PATON | W. REID | EX OFFICIO | HON. J. FERRIER M. L. C. | PROF. J. W. DAWSON LL. D., F. R. S. Size 45 m. R 1.

H.

The Montreal Young Men's Christian Association claims to be the first organized association of the kind. This medal, therefore, not only commemorates the erection of its building, but records the inauguration of the pioneer of what has become one of the powers of this continent.

CLIV. Obv. Same as the last.

Rev. Ribbon inscribed, FOUNDED A. D. 1851 INCORPORATED A. D. 1870 Oval medallion at top, with head to right, inscribed T. JAMES CLAXTON ★ PRESIDENT ⭑ Inscription in field, OFFICERS 1871-1872 | VICE-PRESIDENTS | JAMES

BAYLIS HUGH WATSON F. J. KELLER GEO. YOUNG TREASURER SECRETARY
THOMAS CRAIG ALF. SANDHAM | COMMITTEE | GEO. BISHOP A. H. CAMERON P. LAR-
MONTH | J. HOUGHAN J. A. BAZIN D. BENTLEY | R. G. BROWN JAS. ROSS C. S. J.
PHILLIPS | JOS. RICHARDS F. W. RADFORD | S. CALDECOTT J. M. M. DUFF | W. SLOAN
C. CUSHING Under the ribbon, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.
Size 45 m.
R 2.

It was thought well, when striking a medal commemorative of the erection of the building, and which recorded the names of the Building Committee, to strike another, on the reverse of which the names of the regular officers for that year should be handed down to posterity.

CLV. Obv. Same as CLIII.

Rev. Plain. Size 45 m. R 6.

One or two only were struck with plain reverses. They were intended as presentation medals; the name of the recipient and the object for which it was given were to have been engraved on the reverse. I am not aware that any were so presented.

CLVI. Obv. Same as the reverse of CLIV.

Rev. Same as the reverse of CLIII. Size 45 m. R 6.

This may be rightly termed a mule, as neither obverse nor reverse differ in any particular from the two reverses previously described. Mr. Sandham, the Secretary of the Association, had at that time completed his work on the Canadian Coins, and was therefore all enthusiasm as a numismatist. To this cause we may attribute not only the multiplication of varieties, but the striking of the original medal.

CLVII. Obv. WESTERN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH MONTREAL, ORGANIZED 1874 Corner view of church building with spire in right hand corner. HUTCHISON & STEELE ARCHITECTS on ground work.

Rev. CORNER STONE LAID JUNE 10TH 1876. Ex. "AND THEY WERE ALL WITH ONE | ACCORD IN ONE PLACE" Inscription in field, PASTOr. | rev. george ANDERSON CHURCH SECRETARY. | J. REDPATH DOUGALL | COMMITTEE. JOHN RITCHIE WILLIAM P. WEIR THOMAS PARKER J. H. MCFARLANE. | JOHN C. SMITH J. W. OSBORN. | CHARLES CUSHING. Underneath the inscription are two palm branches crossed. Size 45 m. R 2.

A copy in white metal was presented to each of the Sunday School scholars who took part in the ceremony of laying the corner stone. I gave a description of this medal in the Canadian Antiquarian, Vol. V, page 43.

CLVIII. Obv. T. JAMES CLAXTON

SUPERINTENDENT ★ Bearded head to the right; under the head, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.

Rev. RUSSELL HALL SUNDAY SCHOOL ★ MONTREAL. Within a wreath of oak leaves to the left and maple leaves to the right is an open book inscribed HOLY BIBLE Entwined round the lower part of the wreath is a ribbon inscribed SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Under the wreath, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC. Size 45 m. R 2.

A white metal impression of this medal was presented in 1872 by Mr. Claxton to each of the scholars of the Russell Hall Sunday School. At that time the school numbered over six hundred; yet very few of the medals are now offered for sale.

CLIX. Obv. Same as the last.

Rev. Plain. Bronze.
Bronze. Size 45 m. R 6.

I only know of one impression with a plain reverse. The dies for the Claxton medal were ordered through Mr. Sandham, and he had the above medal struck for his own collection, hence its existence.

CLX. Obv. VERE NOVO TERRA COLENDA EST Ex. GRANDESCUNT AUCTA
A winged boy (the god of labor) to the left digging. To the right,

LABORE

L. C. WYON. F.

Rev. UNIVERSITAS COLLEGII MCGILL ✶ MONTE REGIO ✶✶✶ Within a wreath of laurel, HENRICUS | CHAPMAN | DONAVIT At the top of the wreath, the arms of the College, consisting of a shield, with three doves to the left, surmounted by the crown; below the shield is a scroll, with the motto, IN DOMINO CONFIDO Under the wreath, L. c. w. Size 45 m. R 4.

This medal was founded by Mr. Chapman in 1856, and is competed for annually by the Graduating Class. It is awarded to the highest honor student in classics.

CLXI. Obv. ALBERTUS EDVARDUS ARTIUM LIBERALIUM FAUTOR CANADA VISA D.. 1860. Head of the Prince of Wales to the right; under the head,

C. F. CARTER SC.

Rev. UNIVERSITAS M GILL. MONTE REGIO. Arms and motto of the College surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves to the left and oak leaves to the right. Size 40 m. R 4.

Founded by the Prince when he visited Canada in 1860. It is awarded for logic and mental and moral philosophy. Although hardly equal to Wyon's work, this medal shows a high degree of art, and Carter, whose place of business is in Birmingham, is a medallist of no mean standard.

CLXII.

Obv. SCIENTIIS MATHEMATICIS ET PHYSICIS· FELICITER · EXCULTIS ⭑ A beardless head to the left behind the head, NEWTON; under it, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.

Rev., UNIVERSITAS M GILL MONTE REGIO IN DOMINO CONFIDO Within a wreath of laurel, ANNA | MOLSON | DONAVIT | 1864 At the top the Molson arms, consisting of a shield with six crescents. Size 45 m. R 4.

Founded by Mrs. John Molson for competition by honor students in mathematics. John Molson was a brother to the issuers of the token of 1837.

CLXIII. Obv. GULIELMUS E. LOGAN: EQUES

the head, J. S. WYON SC.

Head to the left; under

Rev. AD GEOLOGIAM: ET: SCIENTIAS: NATURALES: EXCOLENDAS: GUL: E: LOGAN: EQ: D: 1864 Within a wreath of maple leaves, UNIVERSITAS | MCGILL MONTE | REGIO At the top the arms and motto of the College.

Sir William Logan was for many years Director of the Geological Survey of Canada. He was an enthusiastic geologist, and encouraged the study in Canada in many ways. This medal is given for competition among students in geology and natural sciences.

CLXIV. Obv. JUSTINIANUS Full-faced bust of Justinian crowned. To the left a globe surmounted by a Maltese cross; to the right an ancient roll inscribed, PAN | DEC | TAE Below the roll, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.

Rev. A ribbon inscribed AD NOM ELIZABETH: TORRANCE. PERPETUAND : MARIT: JOANNES · TORRANCE · INST: 1864. Within two palm branches, UNIVERSITAS | M2GILL | +++ | PRÆMIUM | IN | FACULTATE | JURIS | +++ | ++ | + the top the arms of the College crowned. Size 45 m.

R 4.

At

Presented to the College by John Torrance for competition by the students in the faculty of law. The medal was founded in memory of his wife, probably on the suggestion of his son, Judge Torrance, who received his degree of B. C. L. from this College in 1856.

CLXV. Obv. SHAKSPERE 1564-1616 Bust of Shakspere to the left; under the bust, J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.

Rev. M. GILL COLLEGE. MONTREAL Within an ornamented cross SHAKSPERE | TERCENTENARY | 1864 The top and bottom of the cross are round and the sides pointed. The angles are filled with ornamental scrolls. At the top are the arms and motto of the College; below is a ribbon inscribed FOR ENGLISH LITERATURE. Size 45 m. R 4.

The institution of this medal may be ascribed to Mr. T. D. King, who is an enthusiastic admirer of Shakespere. He advertised a meeting for the purpose of striking a medal in honor of Shakespere's tercentenary. Finding himself the only one present at the meeting, he constituted himself Chairman and Secretary, passed a series of resolutions, and carrying out these resolutions, soon had sufficient funds collected with which to defray the expenses connected with the founding of this medal.

CLXVI. Οδυ. ΙΠΠΟΚΡΑΤΗΣ

the bust, C. F. CARTER SCUlp.

Bust of Hippocrates to the left; under

Rev. IN MEMORIAM ANDREÆ F. HOLMES M. D. LL. D. Within a wreath of laurel, FACULTAS MEDICINE | DONAVIT At the top the arms of the College,

with a ribbon inscribed UNIVERSITAS MCGILL MONTE REGIO.

Founded in 1864 by the Medical Faculty in honor of Dr. Holmes, who was for many years Dean of the Faculty. The medal is awarded to the highest student in the Graduating Class. The art on this medal is good, but the finish is not equal to those struck by Wyon.

CLXVII. Obv. GUILIELMUS SUTHERLAND M. D.♦ to the left, with a small tuft of beard under the chin.

CARTER SC.

OB. MDCCCLXXV Head
Under the head, c. F.

Rev. AD SCIENTIAS CHEMICAS EXCOLENDAS CATH. SUTHERLAND INST. Within a wreath of maple leaves, UNIVERSITAS | MCGILL | PRÆMIUM | IN | FACULTATE | MEDICINE At the top the arms of the College. Size 42 m.

R 4.

This, with the last, the one following and No. CLXI, were engraved by Carter, and they seem to be the only medals he has so far struck for Canada. They are well executed, especially the one under consideration. It was given by Mrs. Sutherland in memory of her late husband, Prof. William Sutherland, M. D., for competition in classes of theoretical and practical chemistry in the Faculty of Medicine.

CLXVIII. Obv. NIL SINE MAGNO LABORE Helmeted head of Minerva to the left. Resting on the drapery on the neck is a snake. Under the head,

C F CARTER SC.

Rev. A slender wreath of laurel enclosing HOC PREMIUM INGENII BENE CULTI | REGIE SCHOLE | MONTIS REGALIS DONAVIT D. DAVIDSON | TULIT At the top the arms of McGill College. Size 40 m. R 5.

Mr. Davidson was for many years President of the Bank of Montreal, but having been offered the position of Manager of the Bank of Scotland, he resigned his position in Montreal and has since resided in Edinburgh, Scotland. He still continues his annual gift of this medal in gold to the High School, Montreal. When the Protestant Board of School Commissioners was organized, the High School was handed over to their control by the Governors of McGill College. The same dies with the College arms are retained for the medal given under the Commissioners.

CLXIX. Obv. PROTESTANT BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF MONTREAL Two shields; the one to the left bearing the arms of the Province of Quebec, and that to the right those of the city of Montreal. Around the shields are festoons of fruit and fancy scroll work; to the right of the scroll work, J. S. & A. B. WYON.

Rev. HIGH SCHOOL OF MONTREAL WILLIAM MURRAY PRIZE FOUNDED 1874 Within a wreath of laurel, FOR | GENERAL | PROFICIENCY | IN | SCHOOL | STUDIES Under the wreath, J. S. & A. B. WYON. Size 57 m. R 4.

Mr. Murray in his will left provision that a prize should be founded, to be presented annually to the Boys' High School. The Commissioners decided that the prize should be in the form of a silver medal; dies were therefore ordered from the Messrs. Wyon. A second prize in the shape of a bronze medal is also offered.

CLXX. Obv. Same as the last.

Under

Rev. HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS MONTREAL * FOUNDED 1875 Within a wreath of laurel, FOR | GENERAL | PROFICIENCY IN SCHOOL STUDIES | the wreath, J. S. & A. B. WYON. Size 57 m. R 4.

This medal varies but slightly from the last, the only difference being in the inscription. The Commissioners considered that as the Boys' High School had two medals, it would be well to provide something in the direction of awards for the Girls' High School; they therefore founded this medal in 1875.

CLXXI. Obv. Same as CLXIX.