Reference for Bava Metzia 49:16
בעי רב אשי
R. Hanina said: This was taught only of [coins of] three kings;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Each coin being of a different reign. ');"><sup>13</sup></span> but if of one king, he need not proclaim them. How so? If they lie pyramid-wise, then even [if they are] of one king [the proclamation should be made]; if they do not lie pyramid-wise, even if they are of three kings there should be no need [to proclaim them]? — But if stated, it<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The statement of R. Hanina. ');"><sup>14</sup></span> was thus stated: 'This was taught only of [coins of] one king, yet similar to those of three.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., of different sizes. ');"><sup>15</sup></span> How so? When they lie pyramidically, the broadest at the bottom, the medium-sized upon it, and the smallest on top of the middle one; in which case we assume that they were placed thus. If, however, they are of one king, all being of equal size, then even if they are lying upon each other they belong to him [the finder]: we assume that they fell thus together by mere chance. R. Johanan [however] maintained: Even if of the same king,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., of equal size. ');"><sup>16</sup></span> he must proclaim them.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since they are arranged exactly on top of each other. ');"><sup>17</sup></span> Now, what does he proclaim — the number?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That three coins were found, and the owner identifies them by their arrangement. ');"><sup>18</sup></span> Then why particularly three — even if two it should be the same? — Said Rabina: He announces 'coins'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Without stating a number; two being the smallest possible number of 'coins', it cannot be accepted as a mark of identification; hence the find is not proclaimed for less than three. The translation and explanation follows Asheri, who regards the question as bearing directly on the Mishnah and not on the views of R. Hanina and R. Johanan, as Rashi appears to regard it. ');"><sup>19</sup></span> R. Jeremiah propounded: What if they were disposed in a circle,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'like a bracelet'. ');"><sup>20</sup></span> in a row, triangularly.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'as a tripod.' ');"><sup>21</sup></span> or ladderwise?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The greater part of the middle coin lying on the bottom one, and the greater part of the top coin lying on the middle one. ');"><sup>22</sup></span> — Solve at least one [problem]. For R. Nahman said in Rabbah b. Abbuha's name: Wherever a chip can be inserted<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Adopting reading of some texts; cur. edd.: 'between them'.] ');"><sup>23</sup></span> whereby they [the coins] may be lifted simultaneously, a proclamation must be made.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For they must have been placed so. Hence a proclamation is necessary if they lay ladderwise. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> R. Ashi propounded: