Northwestern Europe, England, ca. mid-18th to early 19th century CE. A superb brass pocket scale for weighing sovereign coins in order to detect counterfeits, with the original cardstock case! This tool functions as a rocking scale with 2 slightly recessed pans on the beam for holding both sovereigns and half sovereigns with a counterweight at the other end. The counterweight is stamped with the royal crown emblem, while the base is also stamped with the warranted mark. The case is thick cardstock that pulls apart at the center and features a paper label advertising the purpose of the tool. A staple for many merchants, these portable balances determined whether coins were counterfeit by weight and size; the recessed pans measured the diameter and the slits in the center measured the thickness. This lovely scale is in excellent working condition! Size of scale: 3.75" L x 1" W x 0.65" H (9.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.7 cm); case: 3.8" L x 0.75" W x 0.75" H (9.7 cm x 1.9 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: private southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent in 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, acquired before 2000

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#168141

Scale is intact and functions. Surface wear consistent with age and use, with small areas of patina. Case is original to the scale and in fair condition with surface abrasions, staining, discoloration, and fading of label. Label is almost entirely indiscernible.