3 Minas

Lead

Cast

Square

8.80 cm

8.80 cm

2.20 cm

Mass (g)	Mass (grain)	Date of measurement	Reference	fragmented	cleaned	reference weight
1255.60	-	-	Robinson 1941	No	No	Yes
1255.30	-	April 19, 2018	L. Delanaye	No	No	No

Symbol	Technique	Direction	Position	Number	Synecdoche

Worn

Heavily corroded

Square lead weight, measuring 88x88x18/22 mm and weighing 1255,3 grammes, with rounded corners ; worn and verry corroded. Inscriptions on both sides. On the obverse, frame in relief, incised letters ΤΡΙ (not very legible). On the reverse, incised ΤΡΜΝ|ΑΟΝ ; multiple little strokes. Sides slightly hollowed, edges and corners rounded. Notch on the inferior side, visible on the reverse's right inferior corner. Height without relief: 1,8 cm.
Robinson 1941: Inv. 31.402. Lead weight. L. 0.088 m., W. 0.091 m., Th. 0.024 m., Weight 1255,6 grammes. Approximately square. Sides slightly concave. Deep lines incised lengthwise on narrow sides. A long shallow gouge has been taken out of each side. The bottom has been hollowed out roughly to a depth of ca. 0.005 m., leaving a broad raised margin around the edge, averaging ca. 0.015 m. in width. Both obverse and reverse are inscribed. On the obverse in letters neatly scratched, 0.01 m.-0.014 m. high (the circle of the rho and the omicron, only 0.006 m. in diameter, were cut with a circular chisel). ΤΡΜΝΑΟΝOn the reverse, within the square cavity the letters are rudely scratched, 0.015 m.-0.022 m. high.ΤΡΙΙΙThe crossbar between the two uprights in the second line is certainly accidental but perhaps M was intended, and we have τριμ as an abbreviation for τρ(ι)μνα(ῖ)ον on the obverse. Possibly the abbreviation is TPI and the other marks are not meant for letters, but are scratches. TPI is, however, the abbreviation on an unpublished lead weight from Corinth for τριτημόριον. This would certainly seem to be a weight of three minas on the Euboic standard of about 420 grammes to a mina, though the inscription is new. Ἡμιμναῖον, δίμνουν, διμνα(ῖον) occur, and τρ(ι)μνάον is the Macedonian form for τρ(ι)μνα(ῖ)ον, equivalent to τρ(ί)μνουν. So we have here a standard of a mina as about 418.51 grammes. On that basis the πέλεκυς [cf. Robinson 1941, n. 2382] would also be equivalent to three minas or more. Lead becomes heavier when left in the ground and many of the lead weights have lost weight through wear and tear, so that it is impossible to attain exact accuracy from those preserved.

Yes

Language	Technique	Legend type
Greek	Incised

Τρ(ι)μνα(ῖ)ον

Name	Date of acquisition	Inventory number
Numismatic Museum (Athens) - Olynthos	None	31.402

Reference	Page/Column	Reference (number)	Plate / Figure	Comment
Robinson 1941	449–451	2383	CXXXIX	None
Tekin 2016a	52;179	None	pl. 5/ fig. 30	None