Numismatics / Antique Scientific Instruments / History of Trade Type: Precision scale for assayers (pocket scale) Period: Late 18th – Early 19th Century
Historical and Artistic Description: This exceptional set represents the “survival kit” of a merchant or banker from the modern era. Housed in an elegant wooden box, the set includes a disassemblable precision scale with a column stand and a complete set of coin weights and plates.
The centerpiece of the set is the weight used for the “Doppia di Genova,” an essential tool for navigating the economy of Genoa and the Mediterranean, ensuring that gold coins had not been clipped or counterfeited.
Set Details:
The Balance: Made of brass, with balanced arms and circular pans suspended by original chains. The column is removable to allow for compact storage in the box.
Monetary Weights: Includes several stamped brass discs, among which the one for the Genoese Doppia (approximately 12.65 g) stands out. There are also smaller weights and strips for fractional calculations.
The Case: Original solid wood box with a contoured interior lined with midnight blue velvet, in excellent condition
