Antiquities Discussion Forums > Weights and Scales

More Byzantine weights

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mauseus:
Hi,

In addition to the three Byzantine coin weights that I recently posted on the Byzantine board (HERE), plus the two in my gallery, I've now picked up another five weights. Three are square nomisma weights, one pierced for a suspension loop, there is an unmarked square commercial one ounce (or six solidi), and then there is this one below.

It is a barrell or circular bronze weight, weighing in at a around 13.3 grammes so is a half ounce or twelve scripula grammata (three solidi). The weight is clearly marked IB (12) but what I find interesting is that the B is clearly formed from an L punched over an inverted ᴕ, the sign for ounce or OVΓΓIA. The person manufacturing the weight obviously used a punch that was to hand to creatively form a letter B.

Regards,

Mauseus

Basil:
Hi,
a well known and still very interesting specimen.
It shows the ambiguity of the Byzantine weights.
Without doubt, one piece at a half ounce = 13.3 g

Solution 1) IB = 12 scripulum = a half ounce
Solution 2)  :wreath: or inverted :wreath: = 1 ounce in ligature with sign L
                   sign L stands for 1/2
                   I = 1
                   putting the signs together: 1 x halfounce
For more details see Pink, Karl:"Römische und byzantinische Gewichte in österreichhischen Sammlungen"

Basil

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