Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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Uncertain ruler, circa 5th-7th century. (Bronze inlaid with silver, 27x27x5 mm, 44.74 g). Ν° Ι with a square frame formed by a cable border; traces of silver inlays in both letters. Rev. Plain. Apparently unpublished. An extremely rare denomination. With a lovely dark green patina and with deposits as found on the edges and reverse. Extremely fine.
These is a rather perplexing weight! For some unknown reason, perhaps by the accidents of discovery, 10-nomismata weights are extremely rare: 72-, 36-, 18-, 12-, 9-, 8-, 7-, 5-, etc. are common enough, but 10s are not. In addition, this weight is also distinctly odd because it lacks a cross above the two letters (or between them): the vast majority of Byzantine weights have a cross on them, probably as a form of validation mark. This might conceivably mean that the maker of this weight, or its intended user, was not Christian. Or, of course, it might be just an oversight on the part of the maker.
These is a rather perplexing weight! For some unknown reason, perhaps by the accidents of discovery, 10-nomismata weights are extremely rare: 72-, 36-, 18-, 12-, 9-, 8-, 7-, 5-, etc. are common enough, but 10s are not. In addition, this weight is also distinctly odd because it lacks a cross above the two letters (or between them): the vast majority of Byzantine weights have a cross on them, probably as a form of validation mark. This might conceivably mean that the maker of this weight, or its intended user, was not Christian. Or, of course, it might be just an oversight on the part of the maker.