THE NEW CROWN PIECE
Has been issued from the Mint. It is so elaborate a work of art, that the five-shilling piece would probably be worth ten shillings were it issued from any other die-stamper's shop than her Majesty's. On the obverse is a portrait of Queen Victoria, with a crown on her head; her hair plaited and banded; her robe worked with roses, shamrocks, and thistles, and other ornaments. The legend is—" Victoria bet gratia tritanniar +reit: f b." On the reverse, the arms of the Three Kingdoms are represented, not quarterly, but on separate escocheons, ranged base to base, in the form of a cross; an arrangement not observed on our coin, we believe, since the Union, or the time of William the Third. In the intervals is an elaborate fretwork, with rose, thistle, and shamrock. The legend is—" tue a tur unita bettii + anna bum mbeterIbii." On the edge we read— "Uctud et tutamen + Anna rebut unttetima"; a rose between each two words, a crown between the sentences. All these legends are in the old black letter, and the style of the ornaments is mediaeval. From the separation of the coats of arms, this piece might be called the Repeal Dollar. The execution is very beautiful, but too fine and minute for a coin. It is better suited to a medal, which is always kept in a drawer, in a leather case, or under glass. The embroidery of the robe, the legend at the edge, and the ornamental parts generally, will soon be rubbed down under the friction of general circulation. The requisites of a coin are these. 1. Beauty of execution; for that is the best of all checks against imitative forgery; and in this respect nothing can be said against any of the coins that now emanate from the English Mint. 2. Sim- plicity and distinctness of design; so that the coin may retain its main characteristics through all its rubs. 3. Such design as is conducive to the utmost rapidity in the process of striking the coin; so that no hinder- ance may arise at times of sudden pressure. 4. Perfect plainness of value; in order to which it is best that the coin should bear its name or value legibly inscribed, as " ONE SHILLING," or the like. In all these respects Napoleon's coins of the Kingdom of Italy were models; models which the present designer to our Mint has followed in a congenial and original spirit. But, considered as a coin, the Crown-piece before us is a falling off.
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