Coin Scale

Coin Scale

The object is made up of two copper alloy pieces joined by an iron rivet at the center. Both of the pieces were cast by the lost-wax process.

The decorative pattern of a circle with a dot at the center was created in the metal with a single punch. Uneven pressure on the punch resulted in some of the marks being deeper than others, while some marks have the appearance of crescents and dots where one side of the punch did not penetrate the metal.

The terminals bear scrape (and possibly hammer) marks. Some of these marks appear to have been caused by post-excavation cleaning, which exposed the now-oxidized metal. There are coarse scrape marks on the inside of one piece, which contribute to the otherwise uneven surface. Coarse, worn file marks on the sides of the smaller piece seem to have been made in the wax.

A dark blackish-green patina forms a layer over the metal, which is worn to a dark brown. Some of this seems to be a waxy build-up. This was ascertained during removal of a bit of the accretions from one of the recessed decorative areas with a bamboo tip to gauge the depth and shape of the punch mark.

Francesca

Harvard Art Museum

5th-6th Century

Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.4 x 0.7 cm (2 13/16 x 9/16 x 1/4 in.)
Materials: Mixed copper alloy or leaded bronze

1951.31.4.2299

Ancient & Byzantine World