MYSTIC LETTERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1907, Page 9

MYSTIC LETTERS.

Some years ago Monsieur -A. de Sehodt a great authority on ancicnt coins, wrote a long article on Roman coins, which was published in tho "llevue Belgo de Numismatique." The article was accompanied by plates illustrating tho coins described in it. Amongst these was a coin belonging to his private collection. In the article he described it ns a metal disc, having on one side the capital letters "C.H.1.T.1.," and on tho reverse what seemed to lie a crocodile and a tree. The whole was rather indistinct, and the writer added that he was sure that it was a Roman coin, but ho could not make out what tlnis capital letters 'were meant for. He, however, suggested one or. two possible solutions. Tho relator of the story says:—"l and tho celebrated numismatic expert, Serrure, wore at that time in Brussels, and were partaking of a hasty lunch at the counter of one of the delicatcsse shops in the llue des Couohers. "We discussed Sohodt's article, and ,Serrure said—"l'ho crocodile and tree on that Roman coin point to Nimes, but if Sehodt is right .about the age of the coin, what on oarth then do C.1T.1.T.1, mean?' "We were just then eating sardines. I chanced to look at tho box of sardines on the counter. Suddenly I saw something, and pointed it out to Sorrure. "Then wo both burst out' laughing. Sehodt's 'Roman coin' was on each of the sardine boxes, which came from Nimeß."— ."P.T.0,"