I could use some LRB help on my Steelyard Weight

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by rrdenarius, Dec 16, 2017.

  1. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

    DSCN1353.JPG
    A Roman Steelyard Scale and weight arrived this week. The head on the scale looks like a late Roman bronze coin portrait to me. I have seen plenty of LRBs, but am far from an expert. The weight is shown above with coins of Licinius and Constantine. The weight on the left is one Roman pound and has a similar portrait on it.
    The vendor's description:
    ROMAN STEELYARD AND WEIGHT GROUP, 1st-2nd century AD
    A mixed group comprising: a bronze steelyard with incised gradations, pierced bulb, knop finial, two loops with chains; a tongue-shaped lead weight with stamped profile bust to one face, graffito inscription 'ERLILAFAV' to one face, '[...]CID[...]' to the other, loop above. 380 grams total, 73-22cm (3 - 8 5/8"). [2]
    Condition: Fine
    Provenance: From a private collection; formed 1965-1975.

    Can anyone suggest who is on the weight(s).

    I posted my US steelyard scale recently. The following pic shows both. An assortment of weights is shown also.

    DSCN1343.JPG
    Shown above from top to bottom and left to right:
    US steel-yard scale – 22” overall length; weight = 985 grams; beam weight = 800 grams
    o Low range scale = 6 to 28 lbs
     Center to scale weight = 40 mm
     Center to end of beam on weighing side = 470 mm
     Scale marked in 2 lb increments 37.7 mm apart
     6 lb mark is 54 mm from center
    o High range scale = 30 to 100 lbs
     Center to scale weight = 10 mm
     Center to end of beam on weighing side = 480 mm
     Scale marked in 10 lb increments 53.5 mm apart
     10 lb mark is 72 mm from center

    Roman steel-yard scale – 8” overall length; weight = 307 grams; beam weight = 70 grams
    o Low range scale = ? to ?
     Center to scale weight = 58.2 mm
     Center to end of beam on weighing side = 142 mm
     Scale marked in ? increments ___ mm apart
    o High range scale = ? to ?
     Center to scale weight = 44.7 mm
     Center to end of beam on weighing side = 142 mm
     Scale marked in ? increments ___ mm apart
    o There are 3 sets of marks on the weighing end of the beam. My measurements averaged 18.4 mm apart, but they varied from 17.4 to 20 mm apart.

    • Aes rude with +; 48.7 grams
    • PB shell; 58.9 grams – this could be a votive item, scale weight, sling piece, some form of pre-money, raw material for metal smith or something else. Recent austions tend to call it a votive item (kinda like a votive candle at church).
    • Pb scale weight; 129.5 grams; the shape of this one makes it most likely a scale weight. The bottom is flat to prevent rolling on a scale pan.
    • Roman scale weight; 332.3 grams; one pound (Libral) with marks and picture.
    • Bell shaped lead weight; 317.9; I think this could be a loom weight. A recent article said many ancient fishing weights were misattributes as scale weights. This one is the right weight to be one Roman pound.
    • Roman scale weight; 154.6 grams; half pound or one semis or 6 uncia. It is marked VI VNCIA
    • Bronze Bar; 2.2 Kg bronze bar
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    So cool!!!

    I can't help you out with the portrait on the left weight...but I think 'Mad Max' is on the right.

    We need LRB and Tetrarchy specialists to pin it down a bit more..
     
    Ryro likes this.
  4. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    That is a really cool piece!
    A very unique collection you have there.
     
  5. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    I’m no expert, but it does look like the portrait on coins of the Tetrarchy from after Diocletian’s monetary reforms. Look at the GENIO era coins (late 290s-300-ish) of Diocletian like the one from Trier below.
    B176427B-E703-4614-BC0B-9697C4E0391B.jpeg
     
  6. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Very neat! Maybe Maxentius? IMG_2851.JPG
     
  7. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    If the weights are indeed from the 1st-2nd century A.D., it wouldn't be either. Possibly a local magistrate. That's a pretty unusual headdress on the right bust; I wonder where it was found. The style reminds me of Roman-era Asia Minor.

    Could that be Aquitas on the left? Can you make out the inscription above the portrait?
     
    Mikey Zee likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page