Description

“WEIGHT-LESS” SELF-INDICATING DUCAT SCALE OUTFIT, German (Nuremberg), mid-18th century. This cleverly designed scale has a decoratively shaped cut steel beam 4-3/8″ (11 cm) long, with suspension yoke, pointer, and integral arch cut with six tiny notches. Green silk strings support the two turned brass pans, one of which is heavier than the other (by exactly one Ducat’s weight), and stamped with the coin’s design, showing a figure holding an orb and scepter, and with the letters “HD” (for the Hungarian Ducat.) The original shaped wood case bears a printed instruction sheet, and a similar coin stamp to the wood. Condition is very fine and all original throughout.

In use, no weights are needed! The heavier pan should just balance the weight of a gold ducat placed in the lighter pan. For a genuine ducat, untampered with, the pointer will be vertical. If the coin has been shaved down the scale tilts and the deficiency in number of grains is automatically indicated by the notch on the arch. A fine example of this innovative form.