ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIGHT
Authority
Mint
Athens
Denomination
1/2 Mina
Material
Lead
Manufacture
Cast
Shape
Square
Length
4.50 cm
Width
4.60 cm
Height
1.30 cm
Metrology
| Mass (g) | Mass (grain) | Date of measurement | Reference | fragmented | cleaned | reference weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 219.00 | - | - | None | No | No | No |
| 217.40 | - | Sept. 15, 2017 | Measurement done by L. Willocx | No | No | Yes |
Iconography
| Symbol | Technique | Direction | Position | Number | Synecdoche |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-dolphin |
Wear
Worn
Corrosion
Corroded
Handle
No
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Autoptic examination:
Lead weight; square shape. Signs of wear and corrosion: chippings. Strokes on the frame and the dolphin; lump on the lower right corner. On the reverse, hollow in the center; groove on the lower right edge and small strokes. Small cuts and strokes on the sides. Rounded, folded ans slightly raised corners; straight edges. On the obverse, frame and depiction of an head of a dolphin to the left. He has one dorsal and one tiny ventral fins and his beak points to the lower left corner. Around, letters in relief, partly erased: [H]MI MN.
British Museum: "Lead weight; raised border; Greek inscription "[H]MI MN"; painted white."
2008: no white paint
Lead weight; square shape. Signs of wear and corrosion: chippings. Strokes on the frame and the dolphin; lump on the lower right corner. On the reverse, hollow in the center; groove on the lower right edge and small strokes. Small cuts and strokes on the sides. Rounded, folded ans slightly raised corners; straight edges. On the obverse, frame and depiction of an head of a dolphin to the left. He has one dorsal and one tiny ventral fins and his beak points to the lower left corner. Around, letters in relief, partly erased: [H]MI MN.
British Museum: "Lead weight; raised border; Greek inscription "[H]MI MN"; painted white."
2008: no white paint
Autopsy
Yes
INSCRIPTION
| Language | Technique | Legend type |
|---|
Fac simile
Edition
[Ἡ]μιμν(αῖον)
Monogram
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Findspot (region)
Greece: Attica
Findspot (site)
Athens [Athenae]
context
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUISITION
Region
City
Date of first acquisition
circumstances
DATING OF THE WEIGHT
Curatorial Section
GREEK
Time frame
Comments on Chronology
COLLECTION HISTORY
Collection
| Name | Date of acquisition | Inventory number |
|---|---|---|
| British Museum (London) | July 20, 1865 | 1865,0720.112 |
Bibliography
| Reference | Page/Column | Reference (number) | Plate / Figure | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schillbach 1865 | None | None | M. N. 3 | None |
| Murray 1868 | 69 | 129 | None | None |
| Soutzo 1884 | 52 | 22 | 2, 13 | None |
| Pernice 1894 | 121 | 266 | None | None |
VARIA
Additional comment
"Purchased from Charles Merlin"
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