TO WATCH A FORTUNE DISAPPEAR

 

A genuine silver tetradrachm of Alexander III the Great. (Images courtesy Heritage Auctions.)

When we camped near the ruins of the old city of Taxila in Northern Pakistan, I went off in the rays of the evening sun to seek my fortune in the dust of the ancient marketplace. Darkness came too quickly, and I realized that I would have to recruit my companions if I was to find anything before we went on to India.

The next day at sun-up – hunger always roused us at dawn – all four of us clambered up to Taxila and began sifting through the grayish dust. It wasn't long before we were joined by wide-eyed children from the nearby village and even some adults. We flattered ourselves that we were curiosities, explorers in a place where white faces were rarely seen.

We explained by elaborate signs – and the few coins in our pockets – what we were searching for, and the children joined in enthusiastically, tossing dust and pebbles in the air til we were all in a dry, dirty, fog.

After a longish nap we all strode off again, determined to find the coins we knew must be in the ruins. This time I was barely in the city when I saw one, only half-hidden by a rock. As I picked it up the same shiver of delight I had felt when I fingered the old shilling came over me. The coin was round and battered, the imprint almost worn away but Paneis, the Greek in the group, assured me it must be a coin of Alexander's time.

Before we quit that night I had four more metal bits in my pocket. I hadn't found these myself – some men from the village had wandered up and offered them for what seemed a ridiculously low price for such treasures.

I was sure they were genuine, for they were very nearly identical to my own find. The other three bought as well, and we went to bed full of goats' cheese and plans for expensive country houses.

All through the rest of the trip, as the food and heat got worse, I lived with the dream of great wealth these five small coins would bring me and I grew impatient for the day when would stride into the British Museum and casually toss them on a shelf and hear the gasp of amazement.

To read the complete article, see:
Presumed Fortune Found and Lost (https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/presumed-fortune-found-and-lost)

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