CJ 4^ .Gr 8 wm Hi Hi mi m MM K7SQ Class Cf 4-C {_ Book. As |^0 x 5^^a^^^'QsSN^^3l^NS^ CATALOGUE OF MEDALS AND COINS. FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE BEST COLLECTION OP MEDALS, COINS, — AND — NUMISMATICAL WOKKS IN THE UNITED STATES. O^T^XjOCS-TJJS O FA a R A COINS Including extrer §m\m antr §lom! TION OF' ALS, [ctions of rare rattle SUkls, Series of valuable Historical Medals in Silver and Bronze. Including American Medals and Couis, French Medals and Coins, the celebrated Carraria Medals, Austrian Medals and Coins, Papal Medals and Coins, English Medals and Coins, Bavarian and Dai'nsh Medals and Coins, Miscellaneous Medals and Coins. —ALSO, — "a splendid library op books on NUMISMATICS ; including works in Latin ; English, French, German, Sweedish, etc. _ Books on Heraldry, splendidly Illustrated. Pamphlets, Catalogues of Coins, etc., forming in all twenty different series. BOSTON : PEOPLE'S PRESS-14 FRANKLIN AVENUE. 1855. I— CgMQRB»i[ t+Aammorowl GRAND ENTERPRISE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE BEST COLLECTION OF JJtMs aitir Coins in % itniiti) $Mt&. ALSO, OF RARE WORKS ON NUMISMATICS. Several gentlemen favorable to the retaining in the United States of the splendid collections of Medals and Coins, number- ing 2828 pieces, also, the rare books on coins belonging to Prof. D. E. Groux, of Boston, late of Washington city, D. C, have suggested to him to part with this Numismatical treasure in the following manner: — The collections being divided into twenty different sections, each one complete in itself, for the nations it represent, it is pro- posed to form prizes of them, to be drawn in twenty lots. There are to be 450 Tickets, of $10 each. Those who buy 5 Tickets shall receive 6 Tickets, and those who club together for 20 Tick- ets shall receive 25 Tickets. The collections are estimated to be worth $7,549, so that even by disposing of all the tickets it will be at a loss of $3,049 to him. The authority for this valuation will be found in the Cata- logue. The Medals and Coins are all classified, and left, as well as the Numismatical books, in the care of Dr. Winslow Lewis, of Bos- ton, who will hold them in his possession till the drawing shall have taken place, when the lots will be delivered to the winners. The medals, coins, and books, can be inspected at his house. When the list shall have been filled up, a soiree will be given to the holders of the tickets, and a Committee, formed among themselves, shall preside at the drawing and superintend the whole transaction. It is proposed that the drawing shall take place towards Christ- mas, if, as it is very likely, all the chances arc taken. Those prizes would be most acceptable to many as a holiday gift. If the chances are not all taken by that time the drawing will be postponed, and due information will be given to the ticket hold- ers when it takes places. The value of the collections may be more fully ascertained by referring to an Album of Testimonials which accompanies the subscription list, and in which will be found many certificates of eminent persons, who have inspected the collections and are able to judge of their merit, value, and historie importance ; as those of "Hon. W. M. Gwin, U. S. Senator, California; of Hon. Pierre Soule, Louisiana; of Capt. Geo. Fred, de la Roche, U. S. N., Georgetown, D. C. ; of Mr. Charles Folsorn, Librarian of the Athenaeum, Boston. A Committee of Shareholders will be formed as soon as pos- sible, who will assist in bringing the whole transaction to a speedy and satisfactory termination. [Copy,] Boston, Nov. 17, 1855. I certify that the collection is in my possession ; that it is a very valuable one, and contains all that is above represented. Winslow Lewis. PREFACE. History of the collection of Medals and Coins men- tioned in this Catalogue, and which will now un- doubtedly become the property of citizens of the United States. Most of the coins were collected by Mr. Lemner, who was keeper of the Ambrosian Museum in Inspruch. [This Museum is now in Vienna.] During forty years he collected coins, and most of the Roman medals of this collection were found in Hun- gary and Transylvania. In 1839 this gentleman died, suddenly, and his son sold the whole of his collection to me. The collections are divided into five series. 1. Greek Medals for kingdoms and cities. 2. Roman Consular and Imperial Med- als. 3. Coins of the middle ages to modern times. 4. Triple, double, and single, also half dollars. 5. Medals of silver, bronze, &c. • A collection of this kind can only be interesting and of real benefit when it is classified as above ; where every coin or medal is in its proper place, and described in a catalogue. They are all laid in draws that require very little room, and can be kept in an iron safe. This opportunity for the United States to acquire those fine collections, is very likely the only one which will occur to such an extent in many years to come. The classification of those collections have taken me many years, and this jointly with the beautiful preservation and rarity of most of the coins, forms their great merit and value. The knowledge of coins and medals is of so great importance in history, that it is difficult to come to any reliable conclusion without their aid. If we read attentively the lives of great his- torians, we will find that their imagination was inspired by the effigies of great men and heroes, faithfully represented on coins and medals ; and that they were guided through their toilsome and intricate research for the true date of every epoch in history by coins, and this for a continual space of 2740 years. The first money coined in Greece was that struck in the island of Aegina, by Phidon, king of Argos. His reign is fixed by the Arundelian marbels at an era corresponding to the 885th year before Christ. The value of this collection would be increased five times, if the works of Vaillant, Morelli, and Mionnet, would be consulted for the estimation of Grecian and Roman medals ; and Pinker- ton's and other authors, as well as catalogues of sales of coins, with prices, for the valuation of coins for those of the middle ages to modern times. If such collections should be formed now in Europe, it would be necessary to travel all over the continent, and expend four times more than the prices I have fixed on them, for travel expenses only. Each medal or coin has its place in frames, 14 by 18, and is chronologically classified, labelled with name, date, etc., under each coin, referring to a catalogue. The following list presents a condensed view and classification of the collections, viz : SERIES NO. 1. Ancient Greek Medals of Kings and Cities. These medals are in fine preservation. Most of them are very rare, and were bought at large prices. They form in the whole an interesting collection. SERIES NO. 2. Roman Consular and Imperial Medals; also, of the Greek Gallie and Spanish Colonies under the Roman Empire. The consular medals form an important collection re- lating to the early Roman history, beginning from the brass ones as fifr back as the year 1 75, of Rome, under the sixth King, Ser- vius Tullius; and, for the silver ones, they begin about the year 485, of Rome, and it contains many rare medals, in quantity large enough to illustrate the memorable events of that period. The Imperial Roman Medals. This collection is one of the most interesting and valuable of the series, comprising nearly all the Emperors, from Pompey the Great to the downfall of Con- stantinople. It has cost much labor and expense to form this col- lection. These medals are in beautiful preservation and all genuine, most of them having been examined by Midnnet himself. On the whole, it is a fine series and full of historical interest, present- ing to the eye in chronological succession the effigies of most of the Emperors and Empresses, according to the places which have been allotted to them during this long period, illustrating before our eye the power of their immense dominion, and the decay and barbarism of the remnants of that feeble empire when it ceased to exist. SERIES NO. 3. Coins from the Middle Ages to the Modern Times. The coins of the middle ages have, perhaps, the greatest interest for us, forming mostly an unbroken chain from the remotest periods of every nation to our days, and beginning in all cases with the most ancient, as follows : — The Papal coins begin with Zacarias, A. D. 752. The German Imperial, with Charlemaque, A. D. 800. The English, with William the Conqueror, A. D. 1066. The French, with Charlemaqne, A. D. 768, and so on for all other nations of the world. In this series the coins are nearly all rare, and some have cost as much as from $50 to $100. Most of those coins can only be bought at auction, where high prices must be paid for them. I could choose three hundred coins out of this series, which, by taking for their valuation only, the prices which they did fetch at auction would amount to the price which is demanded for all the series, including the books. The above is corroborated by catalogues of coins, with the prices of the sales marked in the books, and which form part of the Numismatical library of prize No. 16. SERIES NO. 4. Triple, Double, Single Dollars; also, Half Dollars. This series is also very rich, and contains, with few ex- ceptions, all rare and ancient specimens. The collection begins with the dollar of John Hus, A. D., 1415. It contains likewise the triple dollar of the Emperor Rudolphus, A. D. 1604, and many more rare and curious dollars in perfect preservation. SERIES NO 5. Medals of Silver, Bronze, fyc. All these medals are fine, and most of them rare, and in perfect preserva- tion. Particular care has been taken to add to the collection only those that are not easily to be met with, and to avoid all those that can easily be obtained at broker's. By this system, which has been adhered to for many years, I have collected only such medals as are of real interest in history. Remarks on the Five Series. They form each series by them- selves, an uninterrupted collection for most of the nations of the world in past ages, and were obtained only by thegreatest perse- verance, during many years of collecting, and at great cost. To conclude the brief statement on the coins, it is necessary to mention that the coins of America, and principally those of the United States, are very numerous; and that all that is rare and scarce of this country is to be found in that collection, and in beautiful preservation. I take this means to divide the collections among my friends. Every one who will gain a prize will be sure to have a collection in itself, unconnected with any other. These collections are 6 known, and I join here several letters of persons who have in- spected them, and who are able to judge of Numismatical collec- tions. The first is of father Felix Giambi, now President of Wor- cester College : — " Towards the close of last year, I was invited by Rev. T. Ry- der, then President of this College, to examine a large portion of the coins owned by Prof. Dan. Ed. Groux, I took a great interest and pleasure in reviewing this beautiful and valuable col-' lection, and could hardly believe it possible to form another at the present time that could equal it in extension and interest, I think, that as it reflects a great credit on the collector, so it would prove a great ornament to whomever shall become the possessor of it." Felix Ciampi, Prof, of Chemistry in said College. Georgetown College, April 15th, 1852. Letter of Capt. George F. de la Roche, to Hon. J. Pearce, U. S. Senate. Washington, May 14th, 1850. Hon. James Pearce, U. S. Senate. Dear Sir : — Prof. Groux who informs me that he is desirous to part with his large collection of medals and coins (antique and modern) to the United States, called on me to examine that por- tion of them which he has now in the district ; (some three thou- sand,) after which, he requested me to address you on the sub- ject, which I now respectfully do. After a cursory estimation of these, LfeeJ^ convinced that it contains a great many truly scarce specimen s^many indeed only to be found in European cabinets ; whilst his series of antiques and coins of the middle ages appear remarkably well kept up, and in a fine state of preservation generally. There can be no doubt that it would form a very valuable nucleus to begin a National Cabinet with, which it would take years and much ex- pense to gather, whilst these are also scientifically classed and labelled. Having myself a large numismatic collection will account to you, Sir, for Prof. Groux's request that I should express an opin- ion thereon. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obt. serv't, Geo. F. de la Roche, Civil Eng. Letter of Mr. Charles Folsom, Librarian to the Athenaeum Li- brary, in Boston. To whom it may concern : I hereby certify, that, at the request of Mr. Groux, I have ex- amined a considerable portion of his collection of coins and med- als, particularly the modern ones, and have noted many of great beauty and historical interest. I do not remember to have seen in this country a collection of coins, in the whole, so various and so valuable in the possession of any private collector, having out of view gold coins, of which I think Mr. Groux showed me few or none. I consider his col- lection quite worth attention, from any one seeking to make a complete cabinet of such historical monuments. Chareles Folsom. Letter of Miss Anna P. Jones. To ivTiom it may concern : Having examined the coins and medak composing the collec- tion of Mr. Groux, at the time they were in Boston, and having some experience in the study of Numismatics, I have no hesita- tion in giving it as my opinion, that as an addition to a public library or to the cabinet of a scientific institution, such a collec- tion as that of Mr. Groux would be a most desirable acquisition, more particularly as its correct classification and beautiful preser- vation greatly enhances its value. A. P. Jones. City of Boston, August 21st, 1852. Letter of Hon. W. M. Gwin, U. S. Senator, to Hon. James Pearce, U. S. Senator. Washington City, May 18th, 1852. Dear Sir : — This will introduce you to Prof. Groux, of whom I spoke to you some time since. He wishes to dispose of his col- lection ofSnedals and coins to the Government, and I am induced to think they are valuable, and his proposition worthy of your examination. With great respect, your obt. servt, W. M. Gwin. Hon. James Pearce, U. S. Senator. Letter of the Hon. Pierre Soule, U. S. Minister to Spain. From the various letters and statements in the possession of Prof. Dan. Ed. Groux relating to his collection of medals, coins, and books, on Numismatics, and from the opinion entertained by those who have seen these collections and are acquainted with the Professor, I hesitate not to express the conviction that Prof. 8 Groux is well qualified to take charge of the classification of such a collection, and that his services as well as his collection might be turned to great advantage in one of our public institutions. The collection would adorn the library of Congress, and its pur- ^ chase, in the judgment of the undersigned, would secure to the\- nation a treasure seldom to be met in the condition of that pos- sessed by Mr. Groux. Pierre Soule. Washington City, July 22d, 1853. The collections described in this Catalogue are worthy to be placed in the highest institutions ; and if fate should so order it, that some part of it should fall to the lot of persons who have no taste for Numismatics, I will say to those persons that there are many institution that would be glad to accept them to form a good beginning of collections, and more so as they are all so well classified and ordered. It is most extraordinary, that in the edu- cation of youth the study of coins should have been altogether neglected; whereas it ought to form an important feature, im- pressing upon their minds incidents and events corroborative of history, giving an insight into the customs of the ancients and their religion ; and being in a chronological point of view very essential for instilling into youthful minds a taste for art. There are many sources of entertainment in the science of medals, such is the personal acquaintance which, so to speak, it gives us with all the great men of former times. Nothing can be more amusing, than to read history with contemporary coins be- fore you. It brings the actions in a manner before our eyes, and we sit as in a theatre, with the actors before us. • The medal faithful to its charge of fame, Through climes and ages bears each form and name 5 In one short view subjected to our eye, Gods, Emperors, Heroes, Sages, Beauties lie." — Pope. Having in the above statement given a short history of the collections, and by authentic letters (the copies of which are in my possession,) established their undoubted value, I shall pro- ceed in giving an abstract of a catalogue which I have made for each prize, so that every one shall know what the prizes are *de- scribing in each one some of the coins and medals it contains. I will also place at the foot of each prize the amount to which they have been estimated, taking always for a standard the prices for which they were bought at auction. This Catalogue, from which this abstract is taken, will be very useful also for coin collectors, who by it will be enabled to classify some of their own medals and coins. 9 My first intention was to get names for a subscription to buy the coins, and have the whole of them transferred to some public institution, but it was impossible to bring this herculean task to execution. Some gentlemen suggested the present plan which seems to give general satisfaction, as by the limitation of tickets nearly every one will have a good chance on account of the num- ber of prizes. The name of the persons who have kindly volun- teered to assist me in this enterprise, are a sure guarentee that it will be conducted with the greatest fairness and brought to a speedy termination. Abstract of a Catalogue of rare Medals and Coins, also Books on Coins, to be disposed of, by lot, as soon as the chances are sold. The following is a list of the prizes : FIRST PRIZE. Roman Medals, verg fine and rare. Silver. Brass. Total. Value. Roman as, and its divisions, rare. 2 4 6 25 Roman Consular and Imperial Medals. 86 364 450 $1971 92 70 162 $309 3 12 15 25 10 56 QQ 151 33 22 55 148 Total Roman Medals, 88 368 456 $1971 SECOND PRIZE. French Coins from A. D. 814. French Coins, mostly very rare and fine. French Colonial Coins. French Tokens of eminent men, very fine, etc. French Baronial Coins, all of them very rare. Total French Coins, 143 242 385 $740 THIRD PRIZE. The Celebrated Carraria Medals. They were made in Italy about 1435. They are chased, and very unique. They were, during 200 years, the prop- erty of the Maltise knights, from which they were bought in 1837, for the sum of 2000 francs. Extra, rare and fine. 6 6 $600 11 FOURTH PEIZE. Austrian Coins from A. D. 814. Silver. Brass. Total. Value. Coins from the Austrian Empire, most of them rare. 42 57 99 $119 Coins for Bohemia, from 1277, rare. 11 1 12 39 do. Hungary, from A. D. 1063, very rare. 19 9 28 28 Coins for Transylvania, Moravia. 6 3 8 23 do. Carinthias, Sty rise. 9 - 9 10 do. Tyrol, from A. D. 1254, extra rare. - 38 18 56 126 Coins for Gortz, Burgan, Milan, rare and fine. 24 38 62 83 Coins for Luxemburg and Burgundy. 5 12 17 31 Total of Coins for Austria. 153 138 291 $459 FIFTH PRIZE. Papal Coins, from A. D. 965, mostly rare and fine. 42 45 # 87 $119 Ghostly Coins, for Bishops, etc. very rare and ancient. 69 52 121 212 French Ghostly Coins, very rare and extra fine. 15 1 16 65 Total of Papal and Ghostly Coins, 126 98 224 $396 SIXTH PRIZE. English Coins, beginning 1066, very rare. 71 50 121 $119 Coins for Ireland and Scotland, from 1253. Coins for English Colonies, very fine. Tokens for Towns, some of them extra rare. Tokens of eminent men, etc. mostly rare and fine. Total of English Coins. 10 22 32 46 4 69 73 47 1 99 100 98 1 84 85 58 87 324 411 $368 12 SEVENTH PRIZE. Silver. Brass. Total. Value. Russian Coins, beginning 1359, many rare. 35 41 76 97 Turkey, Algirs, Tunis, Egypt, etc. very fine. 25 33 58 &0 Brazil, China, — 25 25 9 Kufic Coins, from A. D. 777, very rare and fine. Mogul, Persia, etc. 9 67 76 195 69 166 235 $361 EIGHTH PRIZE. Papal Medals, beginning A. D. 791, very rare. Ghostly Medals, also of Monasteries, etc. rare and fine. 16 59 75 $339 NINTH PRIZE. Rare Works on Numismatics. Books on Coins, in English, French, German ; among which, Pinkerton's, Evelyns, Folkes, etc. ; in French, Med. de Louis XV., Catalogue d'Ennery, Numismatique du moyen age ; in Ger- man, Appels, 7 vols. ; Groschen Cabi- net, 13 vols. ; Gotz, 3 vols. ; Munz Schluzel ; Maday Collection of Dol- lars, 3 vols., etc. ; Muuz belustigungen, F. 4to. 8vo. 12 vols. All these works are very rare. 4 28 37 Total books, English, French, German, vols. 69 $300 TENTH PRIZE. Rare Dollars and Medals. Dollars and Medals for Austria, with the extra rare triple Dollar of Rudol- phus II., 1604. Double dollar of Fer- dinand I., 1532. Dollar of Huss, 1415. Medal of Hungaria Ludovieus, 1526, and many more rare and fine. 15 12 37 $282 13 ELEVENTH PRIZE. Rare Greek Medals. Silver. Brass. Total. Value. Greek Medals, mostly very rare and fine. 3 56 59 Ancient Nations and Greek Colonies, very rare. 1 32 33 Total Greek Medals and Colonies. 4 88 92 TWELFTH PRIZE. Rare Dollars and Medals. Miscellaneous Dollars and Medals, with those of Ludovie Sfortia, 1497. Stolberg Reformation Iubel, 1717. Gal- lie Subalpina. Medal of Maurizius, 1600. Vesel, 1629. Large Death Med- al of Frederick the Great. Large one of Augustus, of Brunswick, 1666. Also, many in bronze ; among which, that of Galeaz Sforzia, of Milan, 1459, (with fate) all very rare and fine. 55 14 69 $276 THIRTEENTH PRIZE. Rare Dollars and Medals. Rare French Dollars of Louis AlV., XV., XVI., etc. Medals in Silver and Bronze, with those of Herricus II, Car- olus IX., 1572. On the St. Barthol- emy, that of Stanislaus Lesiensky ; that of Voltaire, made at Ferney, by Wach- ter, 1770; (sold at one time for 7000 A francs in the wars of Napoleon,) that of the Bastile, made with the iron of the chains found in the Bastile ; that of the first medal for Napoleon, 1796; the medal for the three days 27th, 28th, and 29th of July, 1830. All very rare and fine. ' " 18 41 59 $266 14 FOURTEENTH PRISE. Rare Works on Numismatics. Books on Coins in Latin, with those of Musee Vindob, 1755, folio; Carolus Patinus, 4to ; Numorum Sueco Elix, Breunerii; Numismata Magnan ; Thes- aury Britanicii, etc. Books on Her- aldry ; Catalogues of Coins, with prices ; Pamplets, and other works, on Numis- matics ; all of which are very rare and in excellent condition. These books are P. 4to. 8vo. very scarce now. 2 6 18 Total, in*all, rare books. Yolums. 28 FIFTEENTH PRIZE. Rare American Coins. Silver. Brass. Total. American Coins, struck before the Rev- olution, many of them very rare and fine. 2 24 26 American Coins since the Revolution, very fine. 19 46 Q5 American Tokens, also, Satyrical, some very rare. 42 42 Miscellaneous Coins, many of them very rare. 53 31 84 Miscellaneous large Coins, also mostly rare. • 24 24 $200 Value. 20 43 31 66 18 Total American & Miscellaneous Coins. 74 167 241 $178 SIXTEENTH PRIZE. Rare Dollars and Medals. I|avarian BRlars and Medals ; also Swedish rare Medals with those of Gus- tavus Adolphus Death Medal, 1632, of Christina; Carolus XI.; do. Carolus XII. ; Gustavus III. Anchor Medal, 1790, etc., and many more rare and beautiful Medals. Total Swedish Medals, etc. 4 35 1 39 $131 15 SEVENTEENTH PRIZE. Rare American Dollars and Medals, Silve American Dollars and many rare 14 Medals ; also the complete set of Med- als struck for the naval and land bat* ties ; all in excellent preservation. Total American Dollars and Medals. 14 rass. Total. Value. 14 28 68 42 42 60 56 70 $128 EIGHTEENTH PRIZE. Rare Coins of Denmark, Royal Coins for Bavaria, many very rare 31 " " Denmark, Halstein, and also for Danish America; many rare and fine. 35 56 Total Bavarian and Danish Coins. 27 58 14 39 41 97 76 49 $125 NINETEENTH PRIZE. Rare English Dollars and Medals, English Dollars ; among which Carol IL, 1676. William III. ; Mary ; Anna ; Mary and William ; and many others very rare. In Silver Medals, the very large one of Georgius HI. Coronation ; Battle of Culloden ; Installation Medal of George IV. ; his Death Medal, and many rare ones. Total of the English Medals. 19 49 28 TWENTIETH PRIZE. Rare Russian Dollars and Medals, Russian and Portuguese Dollars with those of Peter the Great ; also of Peter II., of Catherine, and many more fine ones. Among the Medals, the Taking of Paris, the Burning of Moscow ; that of the Death of Peter the Great, and others rare and very fine. Total of the Russian Medals. 15 6 21 74 69 16 RECAPITULATION. Silver. Brass. Total. Value Medals and Dollars of all Nations, 156 238 394 $2,155 Greek and Roman Medals, 92 456 548 2,248 Coins of all Nations. 709 1173 1885 2,046 In addition, the Six extra fine Carraria Medals. 6 6 600 Also, in addition, rare books on Coins, Fols. 6, 4tos 32, 8vos. bh. Total 97 volums. 500 Total of all the Medals, Coins, and Books on Coins. 955 1873 2828 $7,549 The estimation for the value of the Medals and Coins has been made through Catalogues of sales of Coins at auction which form part of the Numismatical library, and in which the auction prices are marked down. » The undersigned has nearly finished a descriptive catalogue of all the Prizes describing munismatically, in each section, the Medals jind Coins which are the most curious and rare. It is his intention to have it printed as soon as it will be completed. It will be exceedingly useful to every person occupying themselves with collecting and arranging Medals and Coins. The Catalogue which is mentioned above will contain about 150 pages. It will be furnished for 75 cents to subscribers. Every person who receives the present abstract cf that catalogue is invited to write immediately to the subscriber what amount of copies he wished to subscribe for. Those persons who should be in favor of a more full and explanatory catalogue of all the Coins of the Prizes, with many illustrations of the rarest Medals and Coins, should at once send in their name. The price of that catalogue would be a $1,50, and would contain about 350 pages. Orders should be sent at once, mentioning which catalogue they prefer, so that the undersigued may definitely know which of the two catalogues shall be printed. DANIEL E. GROUX, late of Washington City, D. C, Professor of Numismatics, and Teacher of the French, Spanish and German Languages. Boston, December 1st, 1855. [Address — Post Office, Boston, Mass., where all communications concerning the purchase of Tickets can be made, or at Mr. George Creamer's Music Store, No. 151 Essex Street, Salem, Mass., where Tickets can be obtained. LB N '04