Page:Origin of metallic currency and weight standards.djvu/378

 is still clearer, for we have every stage of the as, from the bars which I have described through the libral as (aes grave), the sextantal as, the uncial and half-uncial, down to the small coin of the empire commonly called "a third brass." As (half uncial standard). As, 3rd Cent. ("Third Brass"). Didrachm of Corinth. Gold and Silver.

Whilst in the infancy of coining the Sicilian silver litra was probably the same as the Aeginetic obol, that is about 16-2/3 grs., the Aeginetic didrachm being probably treated as a decalitron (ten-litra piece), nevertheless after no long time the common Euboic standard of 135 grs. was employed at Syracuse and elsewhere, and we have the authority of Aristotle for the statement that the Corinthian stater was called a decalitron. Corinth, as we saw above, used the 135 grain unit for her famous Pegasi, commonly known as "Colts" ([Greek: pôloi]), and therefore the litra was by this time 13-1/2 grs. Now, in Etruria we find about 400-350 a silver currency struck on this same 135 grs. standard. These coins bear marks of value, X on coins of 131 grs., on those of 65 grs.,  on those of 32 grs., and | on those of 14 and 13 grs. It is plain therefore that