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A stunning folio printing of “Medals of the Reign of Louis XV”. Published in 1730s Paris, this impressive work is a collection of 54 separate engravings depicting coins and medals commemorating King Louis XV of France. Each of the engravings includes a description in a lavish border describing the coin and its purpose. Each of these works of art was done by Fleurimont and was, according to Sarmant, a continuation of the Medals on the events of the reign of Louis XIV.

This work is known to be highly valuable and considerably rare!

Guillaume du Choul was a 16^th-century historian best-remembered for his histories of ancient Rome. One of his best books was ‘Discourse on the Religion of the Ancient Romans’ – a history of Roman Emperors, descriptions of life and times of ancient Rome, and most importantly a commentary on Roman coins and their religious implications (i.e. mythology, cults, etc.). This book also offers descriptions of forged Roman coins.

Thomas Carter’s “Medals of the British Army” is a rare set of books on the history of English numismatics. Originally published as part of the American Numismatics Society, this work describes in detail the findings and discoveries of the British army in their campaigns all over the world. It includes artifacts and coins found in Egypt, Crimea, South Africa, India, and China, as well as numerous other small countries. This exquisite first edition includes impressive color engravings.

Thomas Carter’s “Medals of the British Army” is a rare set of books on the history of English numismatics. Originally published as part of the American Numismatics Society, this work describes in detail the findings and discoveries of the British army in their campaigns all over the world. It includes artifacts and coins found in Egypt, Crimea, South Africa, India, and China, as well as numerous other small countries. This exquisite first edition includes impressive color engravings.

Jean Hardouin was a 17^th-century French Jesuit scholar who, in 1684, took up an interest in numismatics. His first of four works on the subject was ‘Nummi Antique Popularum’ – a work that “was recognized as seminal”. (Scott). This book is a dictionary of terms used in ancient numismatics.

John Pinkerton’s “Medallic History of England” is a late 18^th-century treatise on the development of coins and medals in England. This book is one of the best and most desirable histories of English numismatics much in part to the collection of large engravings. According to the preface of this work, it is the first book which “lays a complete series of English Medals down to the Revolution.”

“The long and prolixer beard was ever a mark of gravity and wisdom in men, but a woman with a hairy chin, was saluted as a monster, by a peal of stones at her.”

– John Evelyn, Numismata

John Evelyn’s ‘Numismata’ is one of the most important 17^th-century books on numismatics, ancient coins, medals, collecting them, and identifying authentic and fakes. This 1697 first edition is illustrated with engravings of medals each with inscriptions and commentary on the figures. While the title of the works refers to both numismatics, which includes coins, the content of Evelyn’s treatise focuses primarily on medals alone.

This work though, takes a bizarre turn and covers more than just the study of medals. Evelyn writes about human physiognomy and the importance of the human face which appears on medals and coins. One rather odd section discusses the appearance of a beard on both a man and a woman!

William Fleetwood was a 17^th-century English bishop who is most remembered for his economic treaty ‘Chronicon Preciosum’. This work was written out of curiosity of financial questions that he had pondered – the value of money in years past, how much his money could purchase in the 15^th-century, changing in prices of goods, and consumer purchasing power. This work was referenced in many of Fleetwood’s sermons in which he preached on financial wellness and economics and the role of money in religion.

A rare scientific treaty on antique coins and precious metals. It contains studies of coins and methods for counting money. In addition to those studies, it includes various other works including writings on Caesar, Cicero, Hugo Grotius, and more!

Johann Friedrich Gronovius (1611 – 1671) was a German classical scholar, librarian and critic.

Henri Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ is one of the most thorough biographical sketches on Louis IX of France. Wallon, however, writes on more than just the life of Louis IX. He describes French architecture, numismatics, politics, military, war, along with dozens of other topics. Other topics include Louis’s interest in science and poetry, attempts at gothic art, music, and sculpture, Catholic devotion, and 13^th-century French society.

This beautiful first edition of Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ features an impressive collection of artworks from various artists including Paquier, Toussaint, Garcia, Hurel, Meaulle, and Soupey; nine of which are chromolithographs.