Coin Weight

Object Name:
Coin weight
Date:
808–810
Geography:
Egypt
Medium:
Glass
Dimensions:
Diam. ca. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm) Wt. 4.19 g
Classification:
Glass
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number:
08.256.20
  • Description

    Some weights made in Byzantine-period Egypt were made of glass and stamped in Greek. Glass was a preferable medium for these weights, since they could be made relatively easily and any chips or alterations were immediately visible to the naked eye. The practice of glass coin weights continued into the Islamic period. This weight equals one mithqal, the weight of a dinar or standard gold coin. It includes an inscription mentioning its weight, equivalent value, and the name of the governor al-Hasan ibn al-Bahbah (r. 808–10).

  • Provenance

    [ Michael Casira, Cairo, until 1908; sold to A.M. Lythgoe for MMA]

140010932

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