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Copyright credit: Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection. Courtesy of Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Pera Museum / Bendeguz Tobias
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIGHT
Authority
Mint
Denomination
Material
Glass
Manufacture
Cast
Shape
Disc or similar (ellipse, etc.)
Length
2.35 cm
Width
2.35 cm
Height
0.40 cm
Metrology
| Mass (g) | Mass (grain) | Date of measurement | Reference | fragmented | cleaned | reference weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.45 | - | - | (scientific literature) | No | No | Yes |
Iconography
| Symbol | Technique | Direction | Position | Number | Synecdoche |
|---|
Wear
Corrosion
Handle
No
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Glass weight. Disc. Colour (Farbe): dunkelgelb. Iconography: No cross. No wreath.
CPAI III/2: Last third of the 6th - 1st quarter of the 7th century AD. Eastern Mediterranean. Weight for a silver coin (double siliqua) or a gold coin (solidus/ 20 carat). Glass, 23.5 x 4 mm; 3.45 g. Inv. no. PMA 2861. Acquired in 2007. Description: Yellow coloured round weight with a central impression. The block monogram is composed of the letters M and Λ or maybe N in the centre, C on the right, and O and V at the top. If the letter in the centre beside the M is an Λ, the name can be resolved as MOVCIΛIOV, MOCIΛIOV or COΛVMIOV. A prefect of Constantinople with the name Mousilios is mentioned on two lead seals and on other glass weights from the 7th century with the portrait of the eparch and a circular inscription. The present glass weight can be dated before the 2nd quarter of the 7th century by means of an early medieval burial found in Kunszentmarton, Hungary. The grave contained several copperalloy and glass weights together with a balance. Due to the mass of the weight, which corresponds to a double siliqua (silver coin) or a light-weight solidus, we can narrow the dating from the reign of Justin II to Heraclius, when coins with this mass occur.
CPAI III/2: Last third of the 6th - 1st quarter of the 7th century AD. Eastern Mediterranean. Weight for a silver coin (double siliqua) or a gold coin (solidus/ 20 carat). Glass, 23.5 x 4 mm; 3.45 g. Inv. no. PMA 2861. Acquired in 2007. Description: Yellow coloured round weight with a central impression. The block monogram is composed of the letters M and Λ or maybe N in the centre, C on the right, and O and V at the top. If the letter in the centre beside the M is an Λ, the name can be resolved as MOVCIΛIOV, MOCIΛIOV or COΛVMIOV. A prefect of Constantinople with the name Mousilios is mentioned on two lead seals and on other glass weights from the 7th century with the portrait of the eparch and a circular inscription. The present glass weight can be dated before the 2nd quarter of the 7th century by means of an early medieval burial found in Kunszentmarton, Hungary. The grave contained several copperalloy and glass weights together with a balance. Due to the mass of the weight, which corresponds to a double siliqua (silver coin) or a light-weight solidus, we can narrow the dating from the reign of Justin II to Heraclius, when coins with this mass occur.
Autopsy
No
INSCRIPTION
| Language | Technique | Legend type |
|---|
Fac simile
Edition
{monogramma}
Monogram
ΜΝΟϹV
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Findspot (region)
Findspot (site)
context
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUISITION
Region
City
Date of first acquisition
circumstances
DATING OF THE WEIGHT
Curatorial Section
LATE ROMAN AND BYZANTINE
Time frame
Comments on Chronology
COLLECTION HISTORY
Collection
| Name | Date of acquisition | Inventory number |
|---|---|---|
| Pera Museum (Istanbul) | None | PMA 2861 |
Bibliography
| Reference | Page/Column | Reference (number) | Plate / Figure | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPAI III/2 | None | 720 | pl. 192 | None |
VARIA
Additional comment
2007 erworben.
CPAI III/2: Ref.: PLRE Ill: 905f. (Musilius); Jungfleisch 1932: 244 C.M. 31; pl. l; Racz 2014: 177 no. 62; pl. 51,2; Houston, The Menil Collection, inv. no. 1979-24.142 and X 490.610; London, British Museum, P&E, inv. no. 1981,0601.4; St. Petersburg, Hermitage, Numismatic Department inv. no. 7204
CPAI III/2: Ref.: PLRE Ill: 905f. (Musilius); Jungfleisch 1932: 244 C.M. 31; pl. l; Racz 2014: 177 no. 62; pl. 51,2; Houston, The Menil Collection, inv. no. 1979-24.142 and X 490.610; London, British Museum, P&E, inv. no. 1981,0601.4; St. Petersburg, Hermitage, Numismatic Department inv. no. 7204
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