XXX. A Description of a curious and unique Coin of Edessa. In a Letter to the President, by the Rev. Stephen Weston, B.D. F.R.S. and F.A.S.

Extract

The Coin which I exhibit to your Lordship and the Society, is by favour of Lord Viscount Valentia, the fortunate possessor of this curious and unique rarity, who procured it at Lucknow, in exchange for the money of the country. The Coin is of gold, and weighs about eighty-one grains. On one side it has a head with a cap, or tiara like the one that Abgarus is always depicted with on the imperial money, and Ulysses on that of the Mamilia family, of which there are two drawings in Sigefrid Bayer's work on the History of Edessa, 1734, at Petropolis, 4to. The figure holds in his hand an arrow; round the head is an incription, which reads from right to left, of which two or three letters only are fair and legible. On the reverse is a whole-length figure of the sun, with a radiated head, worshipped at Edessa; to the left is date of two hundred and fifteen; and to the right the words MIPPO in Greek letters, signifying either the Sun of Edessa, or the Prince. Mihr, or Muhr, in Persian, means the Sun; and Meer, in the same, language, a Prince or Emperor. Roha is the old name of Edessa, formerly called Urhoi, the Sun's fire, light.