Gold weight
Asante merchants used these copper alloy weights as a standard for weighing gold when trading. While the weights of these objects were standardised, their shape varied, and could be simple or complex.
This example is ancient micro lithic that’s been recycled and used as a weight to weigh gold dust. Last used in this trade in the 19th century.
Donor unknown
L. 15 x W. 9 mm
This example is ancient micro lithic that’s been recycled and used as a weight to weigh gold dust. Last used in this trade in the 19th century.
Donor unknown
L. 15 x W. 9 mm
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 68/1994/57
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Currency
- Collection Area Region
- W
- Material
- copper alloy (cast)
- Common Name
- gold weight
- Simple Name
- weight
- Production County
- South Ghana
- Production Country
- Ghana
- Production Year Low
- 1400
- Production Year High
- 1900