The last coin of this series is a small bronze coin, and was issued by Perseus, the last king of Macedon. PERSIAN. In this case is a collection of Persian coins, very choice, and of no mean workmanship, and, of course, portraying the faith and rites of the fire-worshippers. One era is distinctly Greek in style, and marks the period of Greek supremacy. The oldest gold coin known to the collector is the gold Daric of King Darius, with the head of the king in bold relief; and all Persian coins are so called in remembrance of this monarch. Their money was very fine, so the word _Daric_ has become incorporated into numismatic terminology to designate any pure gold coin. Nos. 58 to 67, inclusive, of this series, are silver coins of the Sassanian kings. EGYPT is also represented in this case, as is proper, for that nation had no coinage until it was taught the art when conquered by Alexander. Here are some very attractive data of Egyptian history, and from these coins are obtained the only portraits of Arsinoe, Cleopatra, and others. THE SYRIAN COINS are embraced in the division called “Greek monarchies,” and in them are found many coins not only important in history, but of the very finest Greek art, from the third to the first century B.C. In this period the Syriac and Hebrew coins become intermingled, a fact abundantly sustained by the Jewish shekel of Simon Maccabees. The legend of this interesting relic is in the language of Samaria; on one side the budding rod of Aaron, legend, “Jerusalem the Holy;” on the other, a cup of incense or pot of manna, and the inscription, “Shekel of Israel.” This shekel is well preserved, and is one of the most prized coins known. (See Plate and Case XV., marked “_Selections_.”) In this collection are some coins from Bactria, considered priceless by savans. These are trophies of recent British explorations, and are judged to be of sufficient importance to call forth from an English professor an extended treatise on the “Antiquities and Coins of Afghanistan.” They are exceedingly rude in workmanship, and nearly all of baser metal, the most important being a small, square, brass coin, in the case marked “_Selections_.” ROMAN COINS. The collection of Roman coins in this Cabinet numbers nearly one thousand, and an acquaintance with it is invaluable for object teaching, as in it is the condensed history, not only of the glory of Rome, “Mistress of the World,” but of her customs, faith, conquests, wealth, culture, divisions, and _downfall_. Through this entire section of time—one-third of the known history of the world—Roman art, though high, never reached the exalted purity of Greek lines. In their finest coins we see no Phidias, no Myron, no Praxiteles, but they deteriorate and fluctuate visibly when in or out of contact with the influence of the Grecian mind. GREEK REPUBLIC