Of foreign war stamps, the international quarrels of the last fifty years have produced quite an interesting array. Envelopes posted in Paris during the siege of 1870 bearing the words "Par Ballon Monté" are much prized by collectors. Less sought after are the Alsace and Lorraine stamps which were primarily issued for use by the invading German troops of 1870. Their low price is probably due to the fact that the dies were printed from long after the stamps were withdrawn from currency. From the Balkans we, of course, have many specimens which enrich our collections. Italy, also, has given us war stamps bearing the overprints "Bengasi" and "Tripoli di Barberia." If we turn to the United States, many interesting postal relics will be discovered of the Civil War, whilst numerous varieties of more recent stamps from the States are to be found showing post-marks referring to the Spanish war in the Philippines and Cuba. Then there are Japanese adhesives which were used in China during the fighting which led to the peace of Shimonoseki, and, of course, the Japanese issues which the troops used whilst engaging the Russians must not be overlooked. Lastly, we may point to South and Central America, a continent where war labels are almost as plentiful as those issued in times of peace. [Illustration: A POST-CARD RECEIVED FROM A SOLDIER IN FRANCE BEARING STEREOTYPED GREETINGS.] In the foregoing notes we have merely indicated, in a general way, the sources from which war stamps have emanated. Sufficient, however, has been said to show that these relics of strife and bloodshed provide material for the collector of a highly fascinating character. CHAPTER XV WAR MONEY French obsidional notes--Mafeking notes--The Napoleonic assignats--Charles II and University plate--Mints at Carlisle, Beeston, Scarborough, Newark, Colchester, and Pontefract--Irish gun money Just as there are many postage stamps which owe their origin to the stern necessities of war, so there are a great number of coins, tokens, notes, etc., which have found their way into circulation as a result of the belligerent attitude of armies. All such examples of war money are extremely interesting and well worth collecting. The conflict which is raging at the time of writing has already produced a certain amount of war money, notably in the northern part of France. In this area many small towns and villages have found themselves despoiled of their metal currency, with the consequence that paper money has been issued, under authority, to meet the temporary demands of the outraged inhabitants. Among the illustrations of this book, two such paper notes, coming from Epernay, are included; it is safe to say that in time to come these and similar issues will be much sought for.