“Peltry,” we learn, was one of the principal articles of currency, and was known as “pelt,” or Massachusetts currency, and was extensively used in trading between Indians and whites, sometimes called “Beaver Money,” “Corne, Wheate, Barley, and Rye;” and a still more quaint currency was established, as will be found in an old Massachusetts court order, as follows: “_It is likewise ordered that muskett balletts of a full boare shall passe current for a farthing a peece, provided that noe man be compelled to take above 12d. att a tyme of them._” In Maryland, not only cattle, tobacco, and other produce was accepted as currency, but powder and shot were also included. Lord Baltimore, in 1660, sent over to Maryland the “Baltimore” shilling. In the colonial case there is a series of these exceedingly rare coins. They were a shilling, sixpence, groats, and are all of the same design, differing only in denomination. They were coined in London, and compare favorably with any minting of that age. The bust of Lord Baltimore on the obverse is very well cut; his name “Cecil,” is the legend. On the reverse, the coat of arms of Cecil, Lord Baltimore, is given; this device has been re-adopted by the State of Maryland. The substitution of any legal tender seems to be fraught with danger, and at best is jealously scanned by the people; and there was trouble to put this coin into circulation. The people, though demanding coin, did not yield their old currency of “_wheat, corn, tobacco, powder, and shot_,” without a demonstration. The Carolinas, Virginia, and New Hampshire all followed Maryland in the introduction of a colonial coinage. In the interval of the Revolution, known as the Confederacy, the growth of the spirit of independence in the people is plainly written on their coins, especially upon their tokens or individual coins. We notice one inscription attributed to Franklin, “_Mind your business_;” and others, such as “_Good copper_,” “_Cut your way through_,” and like characteristic expressions. The “New York Doubloon” was coined in 1787, value sixteen dollars. This coin is highly esteemed by reason of its rarity, and its market value to-day is about five hundred dollars, as only three or four are known to be in existence. The Washington cent of 1791 (so-called) was not a coin of the United States, but was struck at a private mint in Birmingham, England, (Boulton’s), partly, no doubt, to bespeak the “job,” and partly to _please Americans_ generally. It has been said that Washington objected to putting his head on the coins, and it may be true; but it was also objected that no man’s head should appear on the coin of a republic, which, whether good doctrine or not, is still the prevailing idea. The “cent of 1791” is of two types, one very rare and costly, with a small eagle. The other, with a large eagle, is more common, and perhaps sells for about five dollars at a public coin sale. UNITED STATES COINS.