Numismatic Journal (Volume 2) - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1837 Excerpt: ... XVIII. GRvECO-BACTRIAN COINS. By Professor Wilson. Read before the Numismatic Society, Thursday, 1st Dec. 1837. In bringing to the particular notice of the Society, the discoveries that have been recently made in one branch of the science which they are associated to promote, it is less my object to lay before them information which, although not absolutely novel, may not be familiar to many of the members, than to invite their attention to the subject, in the confidence that it must receive much illustration from competent investigation. Those of our countrymen who have hitherto engaged in the inquiry, have confessedly adventured into it without the advantage of previous preparation, and without the opportunities of referring to collections, to books, or to living authorities; none of which are to be found in the settlements of British India. They have, however, accomplished much under all disadvantages; and if this is the case, results still more important may reasonably be expected from the practised numismatists of this country, with all possible appliances and means within their reach. It has been long a frequent topic of complaint, that little interest is exhibited in England in our vast and valuable Indian possessions. This is more especially the case in regard to the literary efforts of our countrymen in the East, to illustrate its history and antiquities--efforts, which I will not say are not duly appreciated, but I may say are very little known. It will, therefore, be to me a matter of surprise--of agreeable surprise indeed--if the members of the Numismatic Society generally should be aware of the existence of a monthly journal, published in Calcutta during the last five years, in which, amongst other interesting subjects, a number of papers have ...