Table of Contents
Introduction
Apothecaries’ weights were used to weigh out ingredients in medicines and potions. The weight-system used was influenced by the Roman system, and the units were called scruples, drachms and ounces. There were three scruples to the drachm, and eight drachms to the ounce. Being generally small square or sub-square weights they can be confused with coin weights.
PAS object type to be used
Use APOTHECARY WEIGHT
Date
Apothecaries’ weights are supposed from the medieval period, and known from the post-medieval period (Biggs 1992, 7-13). It has been suggested that in the Roman and early-medieval periods that coins were used as weights for such purposes, the early-medieval broad penny being equivalent to one scruple (Biggs and Withers 2000, 50)
Examples
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