MEDIEVAL, Northeastern Europe, 10th-12th centuries. Weight (Bronze, 15 mm, 11.76 g). Circular punch within ring of punches. Very fine.


Oblate spheroid weights with an iron core and bronze shell, like our example, imitate Islamic weights documented from the Early to High Middle Ages. These weights are frequently found in the Slavic or northeastern German regions and were commonly used to measure coins or precious metals. Research suggests that the markings on these weights indicate value, suggesting they were part of a metrological system that has not yet been fully studied. See Diethelm Becker and Udo Becker: Hacksilber, Waagen, Wägestücke und Münzimitate aus slawischer Zeit: Veranlassung zur Einführung der Brakteaten im Mittelalter, in: Numismatisches Nachrichtenblatt 63 (2014), pp. 336-340.