REMARKABLE GOLD COIN OF OFFA

( Elirait du tome IV du Numismiaiic Ch^oniclef avril 184i-jauviPr 1842, pp. 232-234.)

(Road bofore tbe Numiamatic Society, Nov. 25tli, 1841.)

The Numismatic Society will, I doubt nol, Ihink worthy of ils attention the foUowing description of a gold coin, one of the rarest and most remarkable that has ever passed through my hands. It was procured by the late Duke de Blacas, during a sojourn at Rome, and, though a little bent, is in very perfect préservation. On one side of this singular pièce we find the Arabie inscription, « In the name of God was coined this dinar in the year one hundred and fifty seven. » In the centre îs, « Mahommed is the Apostle ofGody » in three Unes, between which are the words, OFFA REX.

The reverse bears, « Mahomet is the Apostle of God^ who sent him with the doctrine aîid true faith to prevail over every religion. » In the centre, « There is no other God but the one God : lie has no equaU »

Ilowever slrange Ihis pièce may appear, it is yet susceptible of explanation. The faults of orthography to be traced in