60 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.

execution of these examples was such as placed them on
the level of the high standard of taste prevailing at that
period—a period when, in the general consensus of
subsequent opinion, medallic art attained its highest
p. \ of excellence.

itacn the striking of medals by machinery to the
striking <?f coins by the same process was but a step;
and this '^tep was the easier since goldsmiths and
engravers of gems and of dies for medals were frequently
appointed to responsible positions in the Mints.

The first name associated with the screw-press is
Bramante (1444-1514), an eminent Italian architect and
painter, and a relative of Kaphael. He is believed to^
have manufactured a press for striking the bullae oi
Pope Julius II (1503-13), which was^ afterwards us
to strike the medals of Caradosso (1445-1527) for"""""
same Pope.

Without question, however, mechanical means we
devised by JBramante's more distinguished contemporar^
Leonardo da Yinci (1452-1519). Towards the close o
his life this versatile genius seems to have been associatec
in some way with the Mint at Borne (eirc. 1514), and ht
has left on record notes and sketches of a method of
cutting out discs from fillets or strips of metal by means
of a hollow cutting-punch, the fillet having been
previously drawn to the requisite gauge, presumably
between rollers. In this way a series of blanks for
medals or coins could be obtained equal in weight, size,
and roundness. But in all probability this machine was
light in construction and only adapted to produce
comparatively thin pieces.

The fragmentary extract from Da Vinci's notebook
alluding to this process is translated by Dr. Eichter and