Among the wrecks and fragments of ancient art and magnificence, which have resisted the waste of time, or escaped the more destructive ravages of barbarism and bigotry, none are so universally allowed to approach so near to abstract perfection, both in design and execution; or so far to surpass all subsequent efforts of imitation, as those large silver coins of Syracuse with a head of Ceres or Proserpine on the one side, and a chariot with four horses abreast, driven by a Victory, on the other, commonly called Syracusian Medaglions.