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and those of the Augustan age PAESVLAE. The diphthong AI at first prevailed amongst the Latins. as well as the Greeks; but was afterwards converted by them into Æ, or AE.
That the Etruscans used globules on their coins, to denote the weight or value of them, has been observed by the most celebrated (17) antiquaries, and is now universally allowed. From them the custom of impressing these marks upon money and weights passed to the Romans. Now erfule was one of the most famous and antient cities of Etruria. Nay, with its district, according to a(18) very eminent writer, it formed one of the twelve lucllmonies, or free states. of that country; and, in support of this sentiment, it may be remarked, that several valuable remains of (19) Etruscan antiquity have been found near the {pot formerly occupied by that city. A mint was therefore undoubtedly creéted there, and money coined in it. The situation of this place, at a small distance from the Arno, and not far from the Tyrrhenian Sea, may be considered as an additional reason why a turso, or tyrso, should have sometimes been impressed on its coms.
The age of the piece before me I cannot take upon me, with any precision, to determine; but think it must have been emitted from the mint at Faefulaz, before the final subjugation of Etruria by the Romans.
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