Excerpt from Catalogue of the Bunbury Collection of Greek Coins: First Portion; Italy, Sicily, European Greece, Crete, &C.; Which Will Be Sold by Auction

HE Collection of Greek Coins, the first portion of which is described T in the following pages, is perhaps one of the most extensive and most interesting that has ever been formed by a private individual. Commencing quite in his early days Sir edward Bunbury devoted his whole life to its formation, as well as to that of his collection of Roman coins, which was sold at this house in June of last year. Sir Edward Bunbury did not confine his attention like some collectors to securing only the finest and most artistic pieces. Copper coins were as interesting to him as those of the finer metals in consequence his collection presents us with an exceptionally complete series of Greek coins of all parts, of all periods, and of all metals, viz. Gold, silver, and copper. It is pre-eminently the collection of a scholar, and the useful purpose which it served is clearly illustrated by the late owner's numerous literary works. In fact it may be said to have formed the basis of his scholarly History of Ancient Geography published in 1879, his numerous articles in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Bio graphy and Mythology, and the corresponding volumes of Geography, and his many contributions to the pages of the Numismatic Chronicle. Sir Edward Bunbury was a collector in the highest sense of the word, for not only was he an admirer of the fine works -of ancient artists, but he combined with this last study the highest qualifications as a man of letters. His early success at Cambridge, where he graduated as Senior Classic in 1833 and took the Chancellor's Medal, marked him as a scholar of the first rank, and his pursuits and studies in after years well maintained his early reputation.

Owing to the great extent of this Collection it has been deemed advisable to dispose of it in two portions. The first portion, which extends to 1258 lots, includes the coins of Italy, Sicily, European Greece, Crete, and the Islands. The second portion will comprise the coins of Asiatic Greece, Africa, 850.

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