Weighing ancient gold coins

Genuine Roman gold solidus of the emperor Valens 

The weighing in ancient times of gold coins ensured that they were neither cut down nor plated inferior specimens. The acquisition of a new ancient coin weight has prompted this post showing real and ancient imitation gold coins as well as the associated weights. I’ve also come across a couple of ancient texts that support the approach to Roman and Byzantine gold coins.

Contemporary base metal gold plated imitation of a solidus of Constantius II

First of all we have the Codex Theodosianus from AD 325:

“The gold which is placed on a levelled balance is to be counterpoised by equivalent weights in such a manner that it is evident that the top of the suspension cord is held by two fingers, while the three remaining ones should be free to point towards the tax collector, so that they neither depress the weights nor disturb the level, but help to maintain the correct balance.”

Bronze weight for three solidi

We also have a declaration of the emperor Julian II on the occasion of his fourth consulship in AD 363 to Mamertinus:

Bronze solidus weight

“The buying and selling of solidi is impeded if anyone clips down or diminishes or – to use the proper avarice – nibbles them away, for some persons refuse them as light or inadequate. It therefore pleases Us to appoint a zygostates (weigher) as the Greek word terms him, in each city, who on account of his faithfulness and industry will neither deceive or be deceived , so that if a dispute shall have arisen between either seller and a buyer of solidi, it may be settled according to his judgement and reliability”

This bronze Egyptian coin from the early 280’s clearly shows the method of weighing coin with the free pointing fingers well in advance of the formal edict.