Artemide Kunstauktionen e17: Maximian LRB & archeic A weight

How did you spend your morning? I started mine watching Artemide Kunstauktionen e17. I bet you can't say that five times fast. The auction started with lot 500 and I targeted lot 721. I figured there was time to sleep late. I cut it closer than I planned. The first lot I saw when the computer warmed up was...... lot 721 with a second before closing. Fortunately the bid button worked fine and I picked up a one VNCIA weight with an archeic A. Most folks here are more interested in the unsold lot I picked up since postage was "free".

Maximian (286-310). BI Antoninianus. Cyzicus mint, 293 AD.
Obv. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Emperor standing right, holding sceptre and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre; between them, S; in exergue, XXI.
RIC V 607.
BI.
4.19 g.
21.50 mm.
Some silvering. About EF.

The one ounce weight.

One Ounce Square Commercial Weight, AE, 5th-7th centuries AD.
Obv. Large A with silver inlay. Note the weight has an archaic A. This form of A was used on early RR struck bronze coins and one cast As, see below.
Rev. Blank.
26.74 g.
22 x 18 mm
EF

 

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nice purchases! the weight is super interesting, esp with the archaic a.

 

@rrdenarius Those are truly great acquisitions. I was looking over the unsolds and thought of you immediately because they had a charming steelyard weight in the shape of a human head. I was even tempted to buy it because it was an interesting piece. I really enjoy these posts of yours where you show us all what you find to be interesting.

 

lot 746, the weight, was interesting, but small and I could not see hanging loop connections. I also thought about lot 796, but could not make sense of the letters.

 

Very nice acquisitions! There was a lot of interesting material in Artemide e17. I managed to win two of my targets myself. It has been refreshing to see an auction that didn't only sell "investment"-coins for "investment"-prices...

Your new weight is beautiful. Are these dated by their weight standard or do you take the letter shape as an indicator?

I have no Roman weights to contribute, but here is a late medieval one:

Italy, Milan (Duchy), under Galeazzo Maria Sforza, AE peso monetale (coin weight for the ducato d’oro), ca. 1466–1476 AD. Obv: armored bust of Galeazzo Maria Sforza r. Rev: originally blank; circular punch and retrograde S added after striking. 16mm, 3.34g. Mazza: I Pesi Monetari di Monete Milanesi 24 (or similar).