Nomos 18

Uncertain ruler, late 5th-6th century. Weight of 3-ounkia (Bronze with inlaid Copper and Silver, 30x32x8 mm, 79.99 g), A uniface, square commercial weight, its top ornamented with engraved designs, and with slightly curved edges. Two nimbate emperors standing facing, both wearing military dress: the one on the left holds a spear in his right hand and rests his left on a shield at his feet, the one on the right holds a spear in his left hand and rests his right on his shield; between their heads, cross; to left, Γ° (= ounkia, and to right, Γr = 3). Inlaid with silver: cross, letters and the emperors' faces, hands, legs, belts and shield bosses; inlaid in copper: the emperors' sleeves, cloaks and boots. Rev. Plain with some file marks as made. MAH 77. Cf. MzK 73, 22 April 1992, 81 (2 ounkia and Winterthur 2, 11 May 2018, 347 (2 ounkia - described as a 'coin' weight in error). Very rare. Attractive, clear and very well preserved. About extremely fine.

Byzantine weights basically come in two types: Commercial Weights denominated in ounkia (both multiples and fractions) and Coin Weights denominated in nomismata or solidi, along with some fractions. Some rather rare weights will have their denominations given in both systems - as the 72 Nomismata/1 Libra weight that appeared as lot 324 in Nomos 13.