I bought three weights in a recent auction. The best item is one in the form of Cupid. Note the chain is a thick braid formed loops crossed at 90 degree angles. Antiquities - Roman Roman Cupid Steelyard Weight 1st-2nd century AD A bronze steelyard weight comprising a length of trichinopoly chain with hook finial, and a hollow-formed bust of Cupid with small lateral wings to the shoulders, styled hair, wreath to the neck, small nose and pellet eyes. 78.5 grams; the weight is about 65 grams and the chain is about 12 grams 57 mm wing tip to wing tip 60.5 mm tall 22.4 mm thick 150 chain length 17.5 mm S loop Condition - Fine Provenance - Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired on the London art market 1990s-2007. Literature - Cf. Simpson, G. Roman Weapons, Tools, Bronze Equipment and Brooches from Neuss-Novesiaum Excavations 1955-1972, BAR International Series 862, Oxford, 2000 plate 48 for type. A second weight in the auction was Celtic. Antiquities - Celtic Iron Age Iron Age Celtic Steelyard Weight with Bust 1st century BC-1st century AD A bronze weight with discoid base, shank formed as a crude male bust with loop above. 16 grams 21.6 mm tall, including loop 18.4 X 19.3 mm base diameter, not quite circular The head is 10.7 mm wide and 12.3 mm from tip of nose to back of head Condition - Fine Provenance - Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired by auction on 16 October 2006; accompanied by a copy of the listing. The 3rd weight is a barrel weight that weighs one Roman pound (As). I will post it seperately.
@rrdenarius, I really enjoyed reading your blog post about your display at the Texas Numismatic Association (TNA) meeting in June. Seeing the Roman steelyard scale with weights, holding a soldier's pay for a half day or a week, is wonderful way to put Roman pre-money into perspective -- and shows how difficult it would have been for a soldier to carry around their pay.
