The first coins of Great Britain were of tin, according to Cæsar’s authority, who mentions the “tin money of Britain,” which has lately been sustained by the discovery, in some work of excavation, of coins of that metal in antique design. These coins are, however, of little use, by reason of the obscure inscription, or rather the frequent absence of all device. The English collection in the Cabinet begins with a coin made after the stater of Greece, presenting the head of Minerva, with Greek helmet on obverse, while the reverse gives the figure of a woman most crudely drawn. It is supposed this rude attempt at art was coined about the time of the Roman invasion. Note the contrast presented in placing this relic by the side of the Victorian sovereign, where, on the obverse, is the queen’s head superbly cut; on the reverse, Wyon’s inimitable figure of Una and the Lion. These two coins are the Alpha and the Omega of British coinage, while the thousands issued between them are progressive links to civilization. Two small coins are placed here, thought to be contemporary with the Christian era, having no device, but an attempt to portray the sun on one side. No. 2 is the skeattae of Ethelbert I, king of Saxony, and is the first Saxon coin which has yet been appropriated. It bears upon the obverse the head of the king; on the reverse is the figure of a bird. Next in interest is No. 6, the penny of William the Conqueror. The bust of that famous monarch is attempted; 1068 is about the year it is supposed to have been made. During the three centuries following, the condition of England, whether she was at peace or war, is plainly indicated by her coinage. Every added province is memorialized in coin. The rose, thistle, and fleur-de-lis, all tell in strange language for flowers of bloody battles, long sieges, perils by the sea and land; at last all resistance bowing before the ever-increasing power of Great Britain. The first coin of English issue was dated in 1553, being either the close of Edward VI.’s or the beginning of Queen Mary’s reign. This is claimed by many to be the first coin dated, though old medals of the preceding century have been found with date. In 1558, the ryal or royal of Queen Elizabeth was issued. On the obverse the queen is grandly enthroned, while the reverse is a large rose, in the centre of which are the Danish arms of Britain, and the arms of Anjou quartered. This coin and the pound sterling of Charles I. are in Case XV., “Selections.”