Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Northwestern Europe, England, ca. late 18th to mid-19th century CE. A wonderful brass and wood currency scale for weighing sovereign coins, that self-erects when the wooden case is opened. This is a travel and pocket-sized device - the slender rectangular case is integral to the piece - when opened the scale unfolds upward, the case forming a base, and the interior lid contains two slots for holding separate counterweights, one is marked “SOVEREIGN” and weighs 8 grams, the same as a sovereign coin. The coin is placed onto the dangling plate on one side of the beam, and the other side has a plate for the counterweights. Such scales were a convenient solution to identifying counterfeit coins and most merchants had these in their shops during the 18th through 19th century. This scale folds and unfolds easily from the case and all pieces articulate as designed! Size of folded case: 6" L x 1" W x 0.75" H (15.2 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.9 cm); erect: 11.25" L x 1" W x 2.75" H (28.6 cm x 2.5 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: private Southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168136

  • Condition: Age and use expected surface abrasions and wear, otherwise intact and very good. Scale unfolds easily and all pieces articulate and function. Patina to wood and some brass areas.

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December 29, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000