Glass weight

Unknown

6th–early 7th century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent pale yellow green. Circular disk with rounded edge; impressed upper surface; flat bottom. On obverse, stamp in low relief, comprising a cruciform monogram, encircled by a line. Intact; dulling and pitting, with traces of brownish weathering. The weight is stamped with a Greek monogram to guarantee its authenticity. Such small glass weights were used by the Byzantines and later by the Arabs to check the value of gold and silver coins. This example weighs the equivalent of a semissis (half of a solidus, the standard gold coin).

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th–early 7th century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881