Two Choice Weights

CNG 91, Lot: 1110. Estimate $200. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Coin weights. temp. Basil II and Constantine VIII, 976-1025. Æ “Duotetarteron” weight (18mm, 3.96 g, 6h). + Δ V/O / TЄ/TAP/TωN. Hendy, Studies p. 508; Bendall, Weights 17 note. EF, dark and light green patina.

Hendy has proposed the δύο τετάρτων as a weight for an issue of light weight coins from the reign of Basil II. However, the evidence for this "light weight coin" is debatable at best, and in any case the weights of the δύο τετάρτων and the τεταρτερόν pieces are virtually identical, with well preserved specimens of both types averaging about 3.97 grams. Although also sometimes regarded as tesserae, two related types (Bendall, Studies 19 and 20, see following lot) clearly functioned as weights, implying a similar use for this issue.