W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent

464 The Coins of Europe
writer's. The copper money
is almost introuvable in fine
state, yet
it includes a variety of interesting pieces,
particularly those of large module of the time of Paul
Lascaris Castellard (1636-57), which are often obliterated by
countermarks.
The only siege-piece connected with the Island and the
Order is the rough ingot of silver struck in 1798-99 during
the French investment. The series cannot lay claim to
much originality, but possesses a special interest and attraction
from the peculiar character of those with whom it
associates itself.
XIV.
FRANCE
The earlier coinage of France, like those of the other
divisions of Europe which we have been considering, forms
two grand sections, the imperial or regal and the feudal or
seigniorial and the
; latter, again,
is classifiable under two
heads : the secular and ecclesiastical. There can be no
doubt that the oldest numismatic monuments of this kingdom,
entitled to rank as indigenous productions, are the so-called
Gaulish coins in gold, silver, and mixed metal, which date
from a period considerably anterior to the advent of the
Romans, and which it is
yet found so difficult to distinguish
from the British series. The types of some of these pieces
exhibit details which were transferred to the later provincial
or local currencies, and which may therefore assist in
fixing more nearly the source whence the primitive Gaulish
coinage emanated. Others seem to be direct copies of
Roman brass.
The imposing volume of the existing remains of French
money scarcely requires to be augmented by too free an
admittance of what is
usually known as the Merovingian
series ;
and it is an undoubted fact that a very limited proportion
of the latter appertains to French soil nor should it
;
be forgotten, indeed, that the pieces of this character, to