Islamic flat weights (a.k.a."brick" weights)

The Islamic weights discussed on this page are small flat weights from the 9th-13th centuries. Most weights of these low denominations do not have inscriptions, but this page emphasizes those which have Arabic inscriptions. Inscriptions can shed light on who issued them, where, and when. (For larger denominations, see the page on polyhedral weights.)

At the upper right is a half-dirham weight (3 dots and rectangular, #1116), 9 mm on a side and 1.43 grams. The second weight is a half-dinar weight (3 dots and circular, #1146), 11 mm diameter and 2.05 grams. A US cent is much larger at 19 mm in diameter (see the red image below).

This page shows many Islamic weights with legends, most of which are difficult to read because they are tiny to begin with (with letters between 1 and 2 mm tall) and often poorly struck, worn, or corroded. 

Contents:  A tray with 19 weights. A table of theoretical masses.
   Examples of each of the dirham-standard denominations.
   Dirham-standard weights: 2, 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/6.
   Dinar-standard weights: 2, 1, 1/2, 1/3.

There are two simultaneous weight standards. Weights on the dirham standard are based on a dirham (a silver coin) of c. 2.94 grams (maybe 2.97 grams), and  the dinar standard (= mithqal standard, where a "mithqal" is the theoretical mass of the gold "dinar" coin) of c. 4.16 grams (maybe 4.20 grams)^[1].  Weights on the dinar standard are circular and squat (a shape called "discoid"). In contrast, dirham-standard weights come in various shapes. Larger dirham denominations are polyhedral (and have their own page). The weight in row 3, column 1 of the red tray is a 5-dirham polyhedral weight. Smaller dirhem denominations are rectangular and flat (They are too small to make with polyhedral shapes). This page emphasizes smaller denominations (2, 1 and fractions) and has special emphasis on weights with legends. 
 

Terminology. Weights (the metal objects) have weights (masses, expressed in grams). Context should make clear which meaning of "weight" is intended. 

CNG says:  The Mithqāl (= dinar) weight standard [was] set to 10/7 of a dirham in Islamic law. (10/7) x 2.94 grams = 4.2 grams

Here are examples of the various "flat" denominations: 2, 1, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/6 dirham. (Heavier denominations are 3-D polyhedral weights which have their own page).
 

#24140
A 2-dirham weight. "Flat" a.k.a. "Brick shaped."
5.73 grams (2.865 grams/dirham). 12.7 by 10.3 mm and 5.8 mm thick. 
I suppose two bird's eyes served to mark this is a two-dirham weight. Often the number of "bird's eyes" corresponds to the denomination, but sometimes it does not (next).
[Repeated from the main page.]

#2528
A 2-dirham weight. 
5.79 grams (2.89 grams/dirham).
12.1 by 11.7 mm and 5.5 mm thick. 
I can't explain why the number of bird's eyes is four (This example is not unique, so it is not just a one-time error.)
[Repeated from the main page.]

 

 

#24213
1-dirham weight
2.885 grams. 11.4 by 11.0 mm. 2.6 mm thick.
One bird's eye for one dirham.
 

 

Some weights have no markings indicating their mass.

#2514
A 1-dirham weight.
2.99 grams. 9.8 by 9.6 by 5.2 mm.
(The yellow is part of a pencil used to prop it up.)
No design. Nothing indicates that it is 1-dirham. 
[Repeated from the main page.]

 

#842
1.415 grams. 8.5 x 8.1 x 2.3 mm.
Half dirham. (2.83 grams/dirham)
Three punch marks on a rectangular flan mean it is a 3/6 = 1/2 dirham piece.

#1150
0.945 grams. Third dirham (2.84 grams/dirham)
8.3 by 8.1 by 1.7 mm.
Likely two punch marks, but encrusted, for 2/6 = 1/3 dirham.
bi'smillah mithqal wafi, in the name of God a mithqal in full measure.
Ref: AR1       
Looks like #583 in Holland (1986) 0.986 grams, not translated there.

 #1517
0.43 grams. Sixth dirham (2.58 grams/dirham). Small weights are usually well under their theoretical weight.
7 mm.
One punch mark, for 1/6 dirham.
Legend not yet translated. Can you help? 
 

Many more examples are below.
 

 

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Questions. We would like to be able to identify them. Who issued them? When? Where? We would like to know what they were used for and how. When they have lettering (most weights don't) what do they say? Do legends identify the ruler at the time as coin legends do? 

Comment on scholarship. Unfortunately, during the entire 20th century and during this century until very recently these were regarded as not collectable and therefore valueless, so they have often been thrown away making them unavailable for study. Without a market for them they have not seemed worth studying. Scholars, museum curators and even archaeologists have given them almost no attention. Consequently, there are few publications that add much to our knowlege of them. The advent c. 2023 of auctions where low-value items can be sold inexpensively has brought many to light since then. Collectors will help us learn more about them. However, for now, most of the questions above remain unanswered. I will attempt to assemble most of what is known here and I hope to (with the help of willing readers of Arabic) provide translations of the legends. The legends will help identify the weights. I will update this page as information comes to me () .
   For published work, see the page of references. 

Dirham-standard. Dirham-standard weights are more common than dinar-standard weights (discussed below). Higher denomination dirham-standard weights (5, 10, 20 and higher) have 3-dimensional "polyhedral" shapes and are the subject of their own page. A few weights of denomination 2 are also polyhedral, but most of denomination 2 are flat and rectangular. Almost all weights of denomination 1-dirham are flat and all its fractions are flat. 

 

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Weights with lettering.
 
Not all flat weights have legends, but many do. This page emphasizes the weights that have legends. Holland (1986, p. 176) says that legends are (like coin devices) punched with an engraved die and therefore in relief.  His illustrations, and these, show that the dies were often larger than the flans so parts of the legends are off the flans.  

2-Dirham weights.

#24176
A 2-dirham weight. Brick shaped. Here called "flat".  ("Polyhedral" weights are on a different page.)
5.70 grams (2.85 grams/dirham). 12.1 by 11.7 mm and 5.3 mm thick. 
(The yellow is part of a pencil used to prop it up.)
Two bird's eyes for two dirhams.
Four lines of legend:
In the name of God [la llah illa Allah]
Muhammad is the prophet of God [Mohammed rasul Allah]
Al-Qadir Billah (Abbasid caliph in Baghdad from 991 to 1031)
Commander of the believers [Amir al-Mu’minin]
The first two lines are the usual two parts of the Kalima and the next two give the name and title of the caliph.
Ref: AR3
[Repeated from the main page.]

#624182
2-dirham square brick
14.6 by 14.0 by 3.5 mm.
5.59 grams (2.795 grams/dirham)
Four bird's eyes on one side and two on the other. 
I would have thought it should be two bird's eyes one each side. Also, the weight is light--it should weigh 0.3 grams more or at least 0.2 grams more. 

#104
5.76 grams. (2.88 grams/dirham)
12.2 by 11.8 by 5.0 mm thick.
Four bird's eyes.

 

 

The next flat weight has an unusual design. 

#101
13.1 by 12.9 mm by 3.8 mm thick.
5.68 grams. (I don't think corrosion has affected this number.)
If this is a 2-dirham weight, and I think it is, it is a bit light at only 2.84 grams/dirham. 
Note how, in addition to the central dot, there are 12 dots in the corners. 12 dots at 6 dots per dirham makes 2 dirhams. 

Does the different design and light weight mean it is from a different place or time-period? We don't know (and won't until laws are changed to reward finders who report find spots and contexts.)

#104
14.3 by 12.8 by 4.4 mm thick.
5.26 grams. Extremely light. (2.63 grams/dirham)
The two bird's eyes suggest it is a 2-dirham weight. It does not look like it lost much weight due to corrosion, and there are minor adhemsions that might even have increased its weight. 
The legend is from a small die that made an incuse square on a much-larger flan. That, too, is unusual.
I don't have any idea why this one is so irregular. 

#2558
A very light 2-dirham weight.
5.46 grams (only 2.73 grams/dirham).
12.7 by 11.7 by 4.7 mm. 
Black.

#2573
5.26 grams (very light at 2.63 grams/dirham)
14.3 by 12.2 by 3.8 mm thick.
A long horizontal line with two vertical strokes at each end.
This mark is also seen on 2-dinar weight below (#1085). That one is full weight, unlike this one.  

#624183
2-dirham square brick
12.4 by 11.7 by 4.9 mm.
5.71 grams (2.855 grams/dirham)
On each side the long scratch-like line has two vertical strokes at each end

 

 

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1-dirham weights. 

#24177
A 1-dirham weight. 
2.88 grams. 9.7 by 9.7 mm and 4.1 mm thick.
One bird's eye and a three-line legend.
First line uncertain followed by
Sayf
al-Dawla ("Sword of the state" who ruled at Mosul 942-967.)
Ref: AR3
[Repeated from the main page.]

#24202
Another 1-dirham weight with the same legend.
2.83 grams. 10.2 x 10.0 x 3.7 mm.
The lettering is not well-centered. It looks like the same legend as on the one on the main page (here).
First line uncertain followed by
Sayf
al-Dawla ("Sword of the state" who ruled at Mosul 942-967.)
Ref: AR3

#110
2.785 grams. 1-dirham.
10.9 by 10.4 by 2.9 mm thick.
One bird's eye on each side.

#24139
A 1-dirham weight.
2.88 grams. 11.2 by 10.7 by 3.2 mm.
One bird's eye for one dirham.
[Repeated from the main page.]

#24166
1 dirham. 
2.86 grams. 9.8 by 9.0 by 4.1 mm.
One bird's eye for one dirham.

#24213
1-dirham weight
2.885 grams. 11.4 by 11.0 mm. 2.6 mm thick.
One bird's eye for one dirham.
[Repeated from above.]

 

 

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Half-dirham weights with lettering.  Click the images for enlargements. 
Half-dirham weights are identified by being square or rectangular and having 3 punch marks on the reverse. They weigh about 1.42 grams ± 0.05 grams (2.84 grams/dirham, a little light).
 

Legends in horizontal lines. (Skip down to circles with legends in the middle, circles with dots in the middle, circles with legend around in a square.)



#614
1.425 grams. 9.9 x 8.8 x 2.1 mm.
Half dirham. (2.83 grams/dirham)
Punch marks encrusted and not visible.

 

 

#615
1.495 grams. 9.8 x 8.4 x 2.3 mm.
Half dirham. (2.91 grams/dirham)
Three overlapping punch marks.
 

#599
1.46 grams. 8.6 x 8.3 x 2.7 mm.
Half dirham. (2.92 grams/dirham)
Three punchmarks, unclear.
 

 

#1151
1.38 grams. Half-dirham, light weight (2.76 grams/dirham)
10.3 by 8.6 by 1.9 mm.
Three punch marks.
I am tempted to read among these words "adas aswad" black lentils.
Ref: AR1  

 

#1156
1.425 grams. Half dirham. (2.85 grams/dirham)
9.1 by 8.2 by 2.7 mm.
Three punch marks (two obscure).
mithqal wafi, a mithqal in full measure
Ref: AR1

 

 

#351
1.38 grams. Half-dirham. (2/76 grams/dirham)
9.8 by 9.8 by 1.8 mm.
Three punch marks.

 

Next are two weights that seem to have the same legend (so far, uncertain). 


#1179
1.40 grams. Half-dirham. (2.80 grams/dirham)
8.4 by 7.8 by 2.7 mm.
Three punch marks.
This one seems to have the same legend as the next one. 
I am tempted to see here a line which says (he) (then a name) ordered the manufacture of a mikyala of black lentils (at the hands of  . . .)
Ref: AR1 

 

#1147
0.94 grams. Third dirham. (2.84 grams/dirham)
9.5 by 8.8 by 1.5 mm (Much thinner than the above piece).
Two punch marks.

Same legend as above.
Ref: AR1

 

The first one of those two is a half-dirham and the second a third-dirham. If these two really have the same legend, they prove that the same legend can be on different denominations. 

 

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Half-dirhams with circles with legends in the interior.

#1158 (also on the main page)
1.46 grams. A 1/2 dirham weight. (2.92 grams/dirham)
The rectangular shape indicates it is on the dirham standard and the three dots indicate 3/6 = 1/2.
9.3 by 8.1 by 2.4 mm.
The legend awaits translation from some helpful reader. Write to me at

[Repeated from the main page.]

#1175
1.425 grams. Half dirham. (2.85 grams/dirham)
9.3 by 8.7 by 2.2 mm.
Three punch marks.
looks like Muhammad in the center, probably the same with #1153
Ref: AR1

#1116
1.43 grams. Half-dirham. (2.86 grams/dirham)
9.3 by 8.3 by 2.5 mm.
Three punch marks.
in the center Muhammad, or it could  be mithqal
Ref: AR1

#1140
1.405 grams. Half dirham. (2.81 grams/dirham)
9.1 by 9.0 by 2.1 grams.
Three punch marks.
Muhammad (around)
Rassul Allah [messenger of God] (within the circle)
Reference:  Holland 8, # 136. Also, ANSMN 31, Holland, which is the same piece.

 

#1153
1.465 grams. Half dirham. (2.93 grams/dirham)
11.3 by 8.1 by 2.0 mm.
looks like Muhammad in the center
Ref: AR1

#1177
1.42 grams. Half dirham. (2.84 grams/dirham)
9.7 by 9.2 by 2.1 mm.
Three punch marks.
"in full measure . . . " the  word below is unclear
Ref: AR1

#1152
1.41 grams. 3 dots. Half dirham (2.82 grams/dirham)
8.9 by 8.3 by 2.6 mm.
Three punch marks, one encrusted. 
looks like "amala Muhammad . . ."  Muhammad . . . made it.
Ref: AR1

 

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Half-dirhams with circles with dots in the middle.

#1141
1.42 grams. Half dirham. (2.84 grams/dirham)
10.0 by 8.9 by 2.0 mm.
Three punch marks. 

#853
1.39 grams. 8.5 x 7.9 x 2.6 mm.
Half dirham. (2.78 grams/dirham)
Punch marks unclear.

#626
1.42 grams. 9.3 x 8.0 x 2.4 mm.
Half dirham. (2.84 grams/dirham)
Punch marks unclear--presumably three.

#613
1.365 grams. 10.3 x 9.4 x 2.0 mm.
Half dirham, light. (2.73 grams/dirham)
Three punch marks.

#1134
1.47 grams. Half-dirham. (2.94 grams/dirham)
9.7 by 9.4 by 2.2 mm.
Three punch marks.

#1159
1.435 grams. Half Dirham (2.87 grams/dirham)
9.2 by 7.9 by 2.7 mm.
Three punch marks.

#1176
1.36 grams. Half-dirham (light). 2.72 grams/dirham)
8.8 by 8.8 by 2.5 mm.
Three punch marks.

#852
1.34 grams. 8.6 x 8.0 x 2.4 mm.
Half dirham. Very light (2.68 grams/dirham), possibly because of the loss of mass because of the pit inthe reverse.
Punch marks unclear.

#1181
1.465 grams. Half dirham. (2.93 grams/dirham)
8.3 by 7.6 by 2.9 mm.
Three punch marks.

 

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Half-dirhams with circles surrounded by a legend inside a square.

#624
1.31 grams. 9.4 x 9.2 x 1.9 mm.
Half dirham, very light. (2.62 grams/dirham)
Three punch marks.

#1127
1.44 grams. Half dirham. (2.88 grams/dirham)
10.1 by 10.0 by 1.8 mm.
Three punch marks.
In the center we have bi'smillah mithqal nisf or thulth dinar = in the name of  god, a mithqal of one half  or  one third dirham. Around the square, "Among those things which  he made"  (mimma 'amala). The rest is unclear.
Ref: AR1

 

 

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One-third dirham weights with lettering.
They weigh about 0.92 grams ± 0.04 grams (2.76 grams/dirham, a little light).
In this order: Legends in horizontal lines, circles with legends in the middle, circles with dots in the middle.

#353
0.91 grams. Third dirham. (2.73 grams/dirham)
8.9 by 8.1 by 1.6 mm.
Two punch marks.
"wafi Muhammad," in full measure Muhammad, 
although this seems a bit off unless Muhammad made the weight.
Ref: AR1

 

#850
0.815 grams. 7.5 x 7.2 x 2.1 mm.
Third dirham, but very light. (2.45 grams/dirham)
One punch mark is clear and if there is a second it may be below the encrustation which seems to be fabric. I wonder if one could do Carbon-14 dating on that?

 

 

#625
0.915 grams. 9.6 x 8.7 x 1.6 mm.
Third dirham. (2.75 grams/dirham)
Two punch marks, somewhat encrusted. 

 

 

#1166
0.90 grams. Third dirham. (2.70 grams/dirham)
9.1 by 7.7 by 1.5 mm.
Two punch marks.


 

 

 

#629
0.91 grams. 8.7 x 8.4 x 1.6 mm.
Third dirham, light. (2.73 grams/dirham) 
Two punch marks.
The interior legend seems to be on the half-dirham #2559.

#1186
0.89 grams. Third dirham. (2.67 grams/dirham)
7.9 by 7.8 by 1.8 mm.
Two punch marks, unclear.

 

#1191
0.91 grams. Third dirham. (2.73 grams/dirham)
8.3 by 7.2 by 2.0 mm.
Two punch marks.

#1188
0.915 grams. Thrid dirham (2.75 grams/dirham). 
7.9 by 7.6 by 1.9 mm.

#1183
0.92 grams. Third dirham. (2.73 grams/dirham)
Punchmarks unclear.

 

 

#1192
0.99 grams. 7.1 by 7.1 by 2.5 mm. Third dirham, (2.97 grams/dirham)
Two punch marks.
Legend looks somewhat like #588 in Holland (1986) 0.944 grams, not translated there and very crowded.

 

 

#1189
0.945 grams. Third dirham.  (2.84 grams/dirham)
8.3 by 7.6 by 1.9 mm.
Two punch marks.

#851
0.905 grams. 8.7 x 8.4 x 1.7 mm.
Third dirham. (2.72 grams/dirham) 
Two punch marks.

 

#1172
0.90 grams. Third dirham. (2.70 grams/dirham)
8.4 by 8.4 by 1.5 mm.
Two punch marks.
bi'smi allah mithqal. . . perhaps mithqal nisf or thulth dirham (a mithqal of one half or one third dirham.
Ref: AR1
 

 

 

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Dinar-standard (discoid weights). 

The discussion of weights on the dinar standard begins (here) on the main page on Islamic polyhedral weights. This page repeats the examples with legends and has many additional examples, especially fractions with legends. 



#498
5-dinar
20.31 grams. (4.06 grams/dinar)
20 mm diameter by 8.4 mm thick.
The number of bird's eyes does not correspond to the weight.

 

 

2-dinar weights.  Most are flat discs, but a few are barrel-shaped.



#1085  [Repeated from page 1]
8.28 grams. 2-dinar. (4.14 grams/dinar)
15.3 by 4.9 mm.
On each side a line with two vertical strokes at each end.
[Repeated from the main page.]
 

#606
8.24 grams. 13.7 mm diameter and 7.8 mm thick. A squat barrel.
A 2-dinar weight. (4.12 grams/dinar)
[Repeated from the main page.]

 

 

#103
The shape two truncated cones back-to-back.
7.83 grams. It is squat at
13.2 mm in diameter and only 8.7 mm high.
Assuming it is Islamic and Fatimid, as seems likely,
the shape makes it is on the dinar standard.
It is 2 dinars at 3.92 grams/dinar.
That's light--maybe even very light, given dinars supposedly average 4.16 grams or more. 
Why is it so "off"?
Corrosion doesn't seem to be a problem. Does the shape mean it is from a different time-period? 

 

#510
Two-dinar weight.
8.165 grams.  (4.08 grams/dinar)
14.7 mm by 6.2 mm thick. (#2532 below is similar in diameter but only 3.2 mm thick and the weight of one dinar.)
Two bird's eyes on one side and only one on the other. 
Again, the number of bird's eyes does not always correspond to the weight. 

 

---

 

One-dinar weights.  

#1102
4.13 grams. 1-dinar weight. 
11 mm diameter. 5.8 mm thick. Thicker than most weights of this diameter.
Legend not yet translated.
[Also on the main page.]

 

#1096
4.14 grams. A one-dinar weight. Rare for having six punch marks on the reverse. 6/6 = 1.
14.4 by 3.2 mm thick.
The obverse has a circular legend enclosing a short two-line legend. 
mithqal, around it perhaps, . . . ordered the manufacture of . . .
Ref: AR1

[Also on the main page.]

#606
8.24 grams. 13.7 mm diameter and 7.8 mm thick. A squat barrel.
A 2-dinar weight. (4.12 grams/dinar)
This one is unusual for having lettering. If you can make out what is says, let me know:   .
[Also on the main page.]

 

#1106
4.00 grams (a little light). One dinar
10.2 by 6.4 mm thick. (Quite thick.) Almost a barrel rather than a disc.
Is the obverse photo rightside up?
(mithqal) wafi
Ref: AR1

 
#2532
4.10 grams. One dinar.
14.2 by 13.8 by 3.4 mm thick.
Two bird's eyes one each side, but only one dinar. 
The number of bird's eyes does not correspond to the denomination. 

 

Half-dinar weights.  The most common legend in this group of weights is almost legible on the next half dinar. One reader sees "mithqal wafi" which translates to something like "a mithqal in full measure." A second reader agrees with the second word (however, as just "waf", not "wafi") and translates that word as something like "complete". However, he claims the top word is not "mithqal" but some other word he has seen but does not recall at the moment (He might get back to me later). So, even a pretty clear example does not necessarily have a clear translation. 


#2559
1.99 grams. 11.3 x 10.4 x 2.6 mm.
Half dinar. (3.98 grams/dinar)
Three punch marks.
"Standard, complete."
AR 1: "mithqal wafi" a mithqal in full measure. 
AR 3: "The [first] word is  معيار, “mi’yāf”, standard” or “measuring standard”, but as was common in the Umayyad and Abbasid period, until at least AH400, without the letter “alif”."  This fits better than "mithqal" since it found on both dirham- and dinar-standard coins.  

The same legend seems to be on #629 (a half-dirham) as well as #1108 and #1156 next.

#1108
1.94 grams. Half dinar. (3.88 grams/dinar) very light.
11.2 by 10.5 by 2.3 mm thick.
Three punch marks.
mithqal wafi
Ref: AR1
Legend as above.
 

 

#1107
1.13 grams. Very light. Third dinar. (3.39 grams/dinar)
12.3 by 1.5 mm. 
Maybe punchmarks, but unclear.
Legend as above.

The two weights above prove that the same legend can be on different denominations. 

 

#1132
2.10 grams. Half dinar. (4.20 grams/dinar)
11.3 by 2.8 mm thick.
Two clear punch marks and a very weak third (near 10:30)
Unlike many half-dinar weights, this one is not underweight.
 

#1101
2.04 grams. (4.08grams/dinar) Half dinar. (3 dots)
11 mm by 2.7 mm thick.
2-line legend within diamond on square.
(mithqal) wafi
Ref: AR1


 

#1157
2.05 grams. Half dinar (4.10 grams/dinar)
Three punch marks--two clear and one encrusted.
10.0 by 3.3 mm.
 . . ordered the making of a mithqal in full measure
Ref: AR1
 

#1146
2.06 grams. Half dinar. (4.12 grams/dinar)
Three punch marks.
11.0 by 10.9 by 2.7 mm.
in the name of  God, . . . Ahmad . . .  manufactured it
Ref: AR1 

 

 

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Third-dinar weights.

 

  

#1165
1.285 grams. Third dinar (light weight, 3.865 grams/dinar)
10.9 by 9.6 by 1.9 mm thick.
Punch marks corroded away.
mithqal wafi
Ref: AR1
Legend as above? 

 

 

#1187
1.345 grams. Third dinar. (4.04 grams/dinar)
9.0 by 2.5 mm.
Two punch marks.
The letters are only 1 mm tall. 

Same legend as above. If that is true, the legend does not correspond to the denomination. 
Ref: AR1

#1182
1.32 grams. Third dinar. (3.96 grams/dinar)
8.9 by 2.5 mm thick
Two punchmarks, both weak.
 

#1124
1.33 grams. Third dinar. (3.99 grams/dinar)
10.5 by 1.9 mm thick.
Has three punch marks but should have two.
Interior legend: mithqal wafi
Ref: AR1.
 

#61140
1.31 grams. Third dinar. (3.93 grams/dinar)
10.0 by 2.0 mm.
Seems to have three punch marks but should have only two.
It is easy to add a punch mark to criminally revalue a third-dinar into a half-dinar. The next one is similar. 
 

#843
1.345 grams. 9.8 by 2.2 mm thick.
Third dinar. (4.03 grams/dinar)
The reverse has three punch marks and should have only two.

 

 

#1118
1.185 grams. (Very light). Third dinar? (If so, it is only 3.56 grams/dinar, which seems too low.)
Was this a rectangle originally, with edges rounded later? 
12.9 by 10.6 by 1.9 mm.
Two punch marks very close together, not clear.

 

 

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Credits.  Translations on this page are mostly from readers who agreed to help. Some are from academic publications and some from the trade.
    I do not read Arabic. My contribution is assembling the images on this page and then, as translations from other sources are matched to particular weights, putting that information on this page.
"Ref" abbreviates "Reference" so "Ref: AR1" means the information comes from the source I am temporarily calling "AR1". 
AR1  = Arabic reader 1 = GL
AR2 = Arabic reader 2 = JG
AR3 = Arabic reader 3 = SA
AR4 = Arabic reader 4 = JB
H8 = Holland, chapter 8
HAJN = Holland, MN31 = Museum Notes 31 (1986).
CM is an online collection of weights (not all polyhedral) from Caesarea Maritima (with a lot of overlap with Holland MN31 (1986), but much better photos):
  https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5252

AR1 commented,"There are probably names of products on some of these weights that I can't yet make out, such as cinnamon, myrtle, rosemary, black vetch and others which appear on glass weights."

 

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References: References for Islamic weights are on their own page.  

 

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Footnotes:

1. Our knowledge of theoretical masses comes from the weights themselves, not from Arabic literature or some well-preserved master weight. Corrosion and adhesions can alter the original masses and we cannot be sure they were all correct to within 1/100 of a gram to begin with. Also, theoretical massses could have changed over the centuries and even at the same time target masses might have been slightly different in different cities. I think the heaviest weights are likely to be the most reliable evidence. The ten-dinar piece in excellent condition is 41.46 grams. We cannot be certain is is not from centuries later than the Fatimid weights. but if it is on the same standard the 4.15 grams/dinar it yields is compatible with the evidence from the 2-dinar and 1-dinar weights.  
  Warren Schultz wrote me, "My unpublished study of the metrology of Fatimid dinars said to be struck at a mithqal standard shows that the vast majority of published dinars come in around 4.20 grams or so.↩
 

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Go to the main page on Islamic polyhedral weights.

Go to the main Table of Contents for this whole educational site. 

 

 

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