Note 7 — GUIDE TO ENGLISH MEDALS EXHIBITED.

Nicholas Briot, the chief engraver to the Paris mint during the reign of Louis XIII., was the inventor of the balance for striking coins. Before his invention all coins were struck by the hammer. Briot first submitted his new invention to the authorities at Paris in 1615; but it was not adopted till 1623, and then only temporarily, when he was placed at the head of the coinage in France for that year. The opposition experienced by Briot in his own country induced him to submit his invention to the authorities at the London Mint, where it was at once favourably received, and he was appointed chief engraver from 1628—1633, when he returned to France and again received employment at the Paris Mint. During his residence in England Briot executed a large number of dies for coins as well as dies and moulds for medals, all of which are gems of medallic work.