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Glass weight

6th–early 7th century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Translucent pale yellow green.
Circular disk with rounded edge; impressed upper surface; flat bottom.
On obverse, stamp in low relief, comprising a cruciform monogram, encircled by a line.
Intact; dulling and pitting, with traces of brownish weathering.

The weight is stamped with a Greek monogram to guarantee its authenticity. Such small glass weights were used by the Byzantines and later by the Arabs to check the value of gold and silver coins. This example weighs the equivalent of a semissis (half of a solidus, the standard gold coin).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass weight
  • Period: Early Byzantine
  • Date: 6th–early 7th century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass; stamped
  • Dimensions: Diameter:13/16 in. (2.1 cm)
    Thickness: 1/8 in. (.3 cm)
    Weight: .071 oz (2 g)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881
  • Object Number: 81.10.148
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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