For centuries the antiquities of the Spanish Arabs continued disregarded or unknown. Prejudice--that sad inheritance of nations--was, alas! only too actively employed in demolishing the work of the polished and enlightened people, whose occupation of the Peninsula it was accounted piety to efface. It was not until the end of the eighteenth century that steps were taken to explore and protect the remains of Moorish monuments in Spain; when, in consequence of representations of cultured Spaniards, the Government commissioned the Royal Academy of St. Ferdinand to send two architects and an officer of Engineers to report upon the condition, and make drawings of the Palace of the Alhambra and the Mosque at Córdova. The result of their labours was published at Madrid, 1780, in an illustrated folio volume entitled _Antigüedades Arabes de España_. It is only by the union of the graphic art with descriptions that we can hope to form an accurate estimate of the high state of excellence to which the Mohammedans in Spain attained in the Fine Arts while the rest of Europe was overwhelmed with ignorance and barbarism. The coin, for instance, represented on the opposite page is of fine gold, and is an example of art which would not dishonour a medallist of any epoch. The existence of a Royal Mint within the Alhambra may be admitted when we learn that the coin was struck by order of the Founder of the Alhambra, Mohammed I., surnamed _Al-Ghalib-Billah_--the Conqueror--who reigned in Granada from 1232 to 1272 A.D. The coin is one of the most cherished possessions in the cabinet of Alfonso XIII., King of Spain, at Madrid. DESCRIPTION. _Obverse_: Within the square, an Arabic inscription which reads: “_In the name of God, the Merciful, the Forgiving. The blessing of God on Mohammed and his family. There is no Conqueror but God._” On the segments of the circle surrounding the square we read: “_Your God is one God. There is no God but He, the Merciful, the Forgiving._” [Illustration: GOLD COIN (OBVERSE AND REVERSE) OF MOHAMMED I., THE FOUNDER OF THE ALHAMBRA, WHO REIGNED 1232-1272 A.D.] _Reverse._ Within the square: “_There is no God, but God. Mohammed is the messenger of God. Al-mahdi, Prince of the people of Granada._” On the segments of the circle surrounding the square: “_The Commander of the Faithful, Al-Ghalib-Billah, Mohammed, Son of Yúsuf, Son of Nasr, whom God prosper_.” Mohammed, the Founder of the Alhambra.