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Author Topic: Measurements  (Read 987 times)

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Offline Russ

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Measurements
« on: April 22, 2013, 10:53:25 am »
Hi Folks;

     I was wondering...

     Today, we basically measure ancient coins with a millimeter ruler or calipers.

     What units of measurement did the ancient Greeks and Romans use for small items such as coins, pearls or gems?
     
     Thanks.

Russ
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Offline SC

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    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: Measurements
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2013, 09:46:30 am »
Interesting question Russ.  I have only ever seen such measurement by weight or analogy (i.e. a pearl as big as a chick pea).  The learned must have know of the concept of dividing a unit into fractions - like half a finger's width - but I don't think I have ever seen sic a measurement in a ancient source.

Shawn
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SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Offline Russ

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Re: Measurements
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2013, 12:25:23 pm »
Hi Shawn,

     Thank you. With their fantastic architecture, coins and jewelry, I would have thought the ancients had a sophisticated system of measurement. It's odd that they didn't.

Russ
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Offline benito

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Re: Measurements
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2013, 12:49:16 pm »
The romans had a system of weights and measurements. The standards were kept in the temple of Castor and Pollux in the Forum.
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Offline SC

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    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: Measurements
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2013, 11:20:16 am »
They had a good system for measuring regular items.  I just can't find anything about linear measurement of small items, say 1/2 inch or small.

Anyone know of any sources on this?

They must have been able to communicate this sort of thing - "your new dies will be 16 mm diameter not 18 mm".

Shawn
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SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)
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