The coinage of the ancients has been classed under six epochs, as follows :

I. — The earliest coinage, from the time of Phidon down to the reign of Alexander L of Maoedon, who died about the
year 454 B. c, a period of two hundred years, the invention
of coinage beini^ assigned to the so^ (Mlth century B. c. These coins are char;irterised by an uaily bLyle. M. Hennin remarks, that they are uncommon ; but they have certainly descended to us in great numbers, particularly those of iEgina, a very surprising fact» considering their remote antiquity.

II.— Coins struck firom the reign of Alexander I., to
that of Philip, father of Alexander the Great, a period of one hundred years. A manifest improvement is visible in the
coins included in this class.

III.—-Coins struck from the last-mentioned period to the
end of the Roman Republic, and the accession of Augustus.

IV. — Those which were struck from the time of Augustas
to the end of the reign of Hadrian. It might be proper to add
those of Antoninus Pius and his successors to this class.

V.— In the fifth class are included the coins struck from
the time of the above-mentioned emjieror to the reign of
Gaiiieuus. Considering the style of art during this period^
this class should be sabdi\ idedi

VI.—Coins from Gallienus to the taking «f Constantinoplet
and the extinction of the Empire of the East. This class, also, should be subdivided.

The coins of the first class are characterised by their early
febric, glubulous sh.ipe,’ and that certain uiuik oi aiitii|uil), the indented square in its primitive form.- Many are without
legends ; and when legends do occur, they are of the simplest description, retrograde, or boustropbedon, the characters par- taking of the most andent style.’

Tlie coins, the types of web, on one side, are indented, and on the other, in relief are ranged with this class.

In the coins of the second class great iuiprovement is evi- dent, in the shape of the metal, and in tlir striking of the
piece ; but more especially in the workmanship of the type.

The indented square gives place to a perfect reverse, except in some few instances, where it may have been retained in reverence for the ancient method. In this class are included the finest specimens of Greek art In those of the third class may be traced an improvement
ia the form of the characters; the legends are given at full length, with the addition of monograms and dates. In the fourth class are comprised many varieties.

belong the extenrive aeries tenned Greek Jn^perial and CoUmialf some of which are of fine execution, but the principal part
indicate a melandioly decline in Greek art^ Manycities dur-
ing this period yielded their rights to the Roman power, and
the number of autonuiiiuub cuin^ was considerably diminished.
The l^oman coins ranged in this class are oi great interest) and many of them of considerable beauty.
In the fifth class may be observed a gradual declenrion, both in style and execution ; although, in tiie coins of some reigns, workmanship of a superior character may occasionally be traced.’

In the sixth class are comprised the coins of nearly twelve hundred years. With few exception^, ilieir devices are rude, and, to many, uninteresting; and tlieir legends of wearying sameness.^

The greater part of this series bear on one side the seated figure of our Saviour ; and on the other the barba- rously executed figures of the emperors of the East, at fiiU length, sometimes attended by their partners in the empire, and occasionally in company with their wives and children.

Yet, to those who love to trace, by means of coeval nuHiuments, the progress or decline of art, even the coins of this rude and uncouth series will not be without their interest; for the

Byzantine style may be traced in the much later works of the artists of Italy. In the earliest paintings of the Italian school, it is easy to perceive the rigid outline in the human figure, and the elaborate arrangement of the draperies which charac- terise the age of the Paleologi.