Ancient Greek Coin Weight - Real? .. Maybe, Maybe Not

I bought this item probably 20 years ago but put it away because I just wasn't sure if it was ancient or a modern fake. I was following the interesting @lordmarcovan artifact thread when I decided to show it on this forum and ask your opinion. Here it is:


It appears to be a coin weight with the obverse of OYN / KIA and the reverse ΠEPI / NθI / A. It measures 30mm square and weighs 36.1gms and is almost assuredly lead. The edge and surfaces actually look ok but not sure about it. Any opinions? (and please be honest)

 

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I know nothing about ancient weights but might it be from Thrace? Could ΠEPI / NθI mean Perinthus?

 

Include me in the "I don't know much about these either" group. Looks like it refers to UNCIA on one side and PERINTHUS on the other but don't even know if that coin type and that city are related in some way.

 

What weight standard was in use in Perinthus and is 36.1g correct for that standard? That is too heavy for a Roman ounce but I have no idea what other standards were current.

 

i suspect a weight could have been used for a group of coins, and not a single piece, but that's just a guess. I'm just hoping someone knows more about these than I do.

 

Thanks! I do remember that coin but never knew that it was you who purchased it.

 

CNG's archives have a variety of weights. Here are a couple of listings that might have oblique bearing on your object-- the first because it is of generally similar design and it is from Thrace (and it's approximately double the weight of your object), and the second for the written blurb.

https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=336675

397, Lot: 913. Estimate $150.
Sold for $95. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PB Three ounce weight. Thrace, circa 2nd-3rd centuries AD. TPI/OVN/KIN within linear square border / ITA/ΛI/KON in three lines with linear square border (39x38mm, 76.97g). Rochesnard p. 44/1. VF, some minor chips and scrapes.


https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=100182

157, Lot: 386. Estimate $100.
Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Hellenistic PB weight. Circa 1st century BC-AD. Square 1 Uncia (30mm, 26.37 g). A within raised border / Fragmentary Greek inscription- [...]OPA[...]/[..]ETP[...]. Cf. Münz Zentrum XXXVII, 4103. Fine, brown and gray patina.
From the Garth R. Drewry Collection; ex Malter XXXIX (2 April 1989), lot 20.These Hellenistic weights are often marked with the name of the magistrate responsible for regulating the use of mercantile weights. In this case the reverse mold for a larger weight was used, meaning that the full inscription is not visible.

 

Looks like this reference might hold some answers. A brief Googling didn't turn up a free online version but maybe you'll have better luck.

J.F. de Rochesnard. Album des poids antiques. 3 vols. Colombes. ND.

 

That is really interesting. The design of that weight is extremely similar to mine (square, heavy borders, square within, coin type name within the square). Actually what I read on the obverse may be TPI / OYN / KIA which also is quite telling.