Two Bronze Weights with Female Personifications: 5th to 7th centuries AD
The two copper-alloy weights have lead cores. The larger one personifies the Byzantine Empress; this type of weight was particularly popular during the 5th century, and examples are mostly found in Constantinople.
The smaller weight personifies the goddess Athena, although a cross incised on the back of the weight Christianises the pagan subject. The sculpting is cruder and therefore probably later, of the 7th century.
These bust-shaped weights were used with steelyards to weigh heavier products; coins and more precious merchandise was weighed in balances using light square or circular weights.
