Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
WEIGHT
Unique ID: WMID-432E1B
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete copper alloy apothecary's weight of Post-Medieval date, AD 1600 - 1900.
The weight is square in plan and rectangular in cross section and is stamped on one side with the traditional symbol for the apothecary's unit of measure for 2 drachms. The symbol can be described in its basic form as looking like 3i in italic and cursive writing.
The weight is 11.7 mm long, 12.4 mm wide and 3.6 mm thick. It weighs 3.9 g (0.13 oz).
The apothecary weight is a mid green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement while within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
Biggs (1994, p.9) discuses such weights stating that apothecaries broke away from the Grocers Company in 1617 and were granted a Royal Charter. They subsequently used a weight system which was based on the traditional sub-divisions but using the English Troy ounce which was 31.1g (8 drachms) according to the standards set in 1588. The use of stamped square brass weights continued into the 20th century.
Ref: Biggs, N. (1994) Apocatheries Weights. Llanfyllin: Galata Print
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1900
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 11.7 mm
Width: 12.4 mm
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Weight: 3.9 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st January 2021 - Friday 31st December 2021
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Stoke upon Tern (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ6328
Four figure Latitude: 52.84822195
Four figure longitude: -2.55083483
1:25K map: SJ6328
1:10K map: SJ62NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SWYOR-5F90F7
Object type: WEIGHT
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete copper alloy apothecary's weight of Post-Medieval date, AD 1600 - 1900. The weight is square in plan and rectangular in cross sec…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-BC87B4
Object type: APOTHECARY WEIGHT
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete copper-alloy apothecaries' weight of Post-Medieval date, c.AD 1618 - 1970. The weight is square in plan and rectangular in sect…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-886500
Object type: APOTHECARY WEIGHT
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete copper alloy apothecary's weight of Post-Medieval date, c.AD 1600 - 1700. The weight is square in plan and rectangular in section …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618