Leamington
July 9th 1862.
Dear Sir
I send by book post half a dozen copies of my late paper, with an extra copy autographed to yourself, which I hope you will do me the kindness to accept in token of your solicited scientific friendship.
In the next Numismatic Chronicle will appear, I expect, a paper of mine upon a new view of the origin of the present perforated copper coinage of China. It was read before the Num: Socy before my remarks upon your translations from the cuneitic inscriptions, but it was agreed between Mr Evans (one of the Editors) and myself, that it should be postponed till after the appearance of my letter to you, the subject being one of greater and more general interest. Should that paper be printed, I hope to be permitted to offer you copies, as in the present instance.
A friend and connexion of mine, the Revd Andrew Bloxam, the Naturalist, Conchologist, and Botanist, – brother of the able writer upon Gothic Architecture, informs me, that when he was in Chili [sic] in the year 1825, there was no copper money, the lowest silver pieces were, he thinks, called “Media”, about 3d in value: but with the exception of the old Spanish Dollar, the lower denominations of silver money were at that time in a very rough and uncouth shape, and it was difficult sometimes to discriminate between one piece and another double the amount nominally. Thus lingers, or is spontaneously adopted, bullion currency.
I beg to say that I am heartily sincere in my remark at p: 12, that your translation is a very interesting addition to the history of money currency before the invention of coined money; as it is antecedent to the notice of Herodotus, and fills up the space between the bible [sic] history and that of the above author –. You will not have failed to observe in the literal translation of Herodotus’ passage – given in a note at p: 5 –, that Herods is guarded in his expressions, saying – “so far as we know” – implying that there might be, possibly, an earlier use of coinage than the Lydian.
With sentiments of great respect I remain, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully
W B Dickinson
H. F. Talbot Esqe
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre. & M.P.
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh-
[annotated in WHFT's hand:] Mr Dickinson