Exagium Solidi, for weighing solidus. Late Roman (End of the 4th century AD).
This image, which dates from within the time period we estimate for our object, depicts a hand held pan scale in use, illustrating the way in which we think our weights would have been used. The embossed disk is itself a weight which, similar to ours, would have been used for verifying the authenticity of a solidus, or a Roman coin weighing 4.55 grams. The portrait busts shown on the reverse of the disk, may show emperors or officials, indicating the degree to which weighing was standardized and regulated by the empire. Additionally, the image of the woman holding the scales appears almost emblematic, indicating the connection between justice and prosperity, and the verification of coinage and taxes through weighing.
This image, which dates from within the time period we estimate for our object, depicts a hand held pan scale in use, illustrating the way in which we think our weights would have been used. The embossed disk is itself a weight which, similar to ours, would have been used for verifying the authenticity of a solidus, or a Roman coin weighing 4.55 grams. The portrait busts shown on the reverse of the disk, may show emperors or officials, indicating the degree to which weighing was standardized and regulated by the empire. Additionally, the image of the woman holding the scales appears almost emblematic, indicating the connection between justice and prosperity, and the verification of coinage and taxes through weighing.