Nomos 13

Western Mediterranean / North African Area. Circa 7th-9th centuries, possibly Carolingian. Weight of half a libra or 6 ounces (Bronze, inlaid with silver, 44x10mm, 155.48 g), a thick, circular commercial-weight, with a slightly convex obverse, a deeply concave reverse, centering holes on both sides and a plain edge (as MAH A1), ounce of 25.91 g, solidus of 4.31 g. Within an outer engraved circle (once filled with silver?), +VITALIS SCVTARIO (engraved and silver filled), and an inner silver-filled engraved circle; at the center, deep centering hole within a deep engraved circle (once filled with silver?). Rev. Plain but with a broad hollowed out center covered with adjustment scratches. No truly similar weights have been found, but the hollowed reverse is quite close in appearance to many commercial weights of this period or slightly later. A very rare and intriguing weight. Dark patina with pitting and, on the reverse, many adjustment scratches, otherwise, very fine.

From the Eparch Collection, acquired from a private collection in London.

The closest parallel to this weight, and the following one, are the famous weights inscribed +CAROLI PONDVS, which were produced under Charlemagne during a short-lived attempt at a return to a regular system of weights and measures c. 800. The inscription on the present weight seems to give the name of the authorizing official, Vitalis ‘the shield-maker’, or ‘the shield-bearing guard’, rather than an indication of the actual weight. Another weight, which almost certainly must be contemporary to this one, is the piece in the name of John Elias in the following lot.