Obolos 15

BYZANTINE WEIGHTS, Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean Area. Circa 5th-6th century. Weight of 2-ounkia (Bronze inlaid with silver, 33x33.5 mm, 53.00 g), uniface, square commercial weight, its top ornamented with an engraved design, silver inlays, and with flat edges, late 5th to early 6th century. Cruciform monogram above large Γ° - Β. Rev. Plain but with traces of adjustment marks. No other 2-ounkia weights with cruciform monograms above the weight letters are known to us. An attractive example with dark green glossy patina; very unusual with the monogram. Extremely fine.

The cruciform monogram, a type very commonly found on lead seals, seems not normally to be found on weights. This is actually rather crudely done, and not very satisfactory. Perhaps that is why others like this have not been found.