REMARKABLE GOLD COIN OF OFFA

(Extrait du tome IV du NumUmatic Chtsmicle, avril i844-janvier 4842, pp. 232-234.)

(Rend before the Nuinismatlc Society, Nov. 25th, 1S41.)

The Numismatic Society will, I doubt not, think worthyof ils attention the folio wing description of a gold coin, one of the rarest and most remarkable that has ever passcd through my hands. It was procured by the late Duke de Blacas, duringa sojourn at Rome, and, though a litUe bent, is in yery perfect préservation. On one side of this singular pièce we (ind the Arabie inscription, « In the name of God was coined this dinar in the year one hundred and fifty seven, » In the centre is, (( Mahommed is the Apostle ofGod, » in three Unes, betwecn which are the wprds, OFFA REX.

The reverse bears, « Mahomet is the Apostle of Crod^ ivho sent him with the doctrine and true faith to prevail over every religion. » In the centre, « There is no other God but t/ie one God : he has no equal. »

However strange this pièce may appear, it is yet susceptible of explànation. The faillis of orthography to be traced in