LOT #23056 |
Current Bid: $2,800
Ancient Lots: JUDAEA. Iron Age II (ca. 950-586 BC). Lot of three (3) stone weights. As made.... (Total: 3 )
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Description
Rare First Temple Inscribed Scale Weights
JUDAEA. Iron Age II (ca. 950-586 BC). Lot of three (3) stone
weights. As made. One 23.35 gm stone weight inscribed
two-shekel (Paleo-Hebrew and Hieratic Egyptian), one 8.51 gm
stone weight inscribed nezef (Paleo-Hebrew), and one 5.92 gm
stone weight inscribed beqa (Paleo-Hebrew). GBC 6, p.
39-54.This set of weights includes a two-shekel weight, a nezef, and a beqa. A nezef is equal to 5/6 of a shekel which is equal to one Egyptian qedet. A beqa is equal to half of a shekel.
Before coinage was used in the ancient world, local authorities had to agree on standard weight systems in order to regulate trade, so weight stones such as these would have been used on balance scales to ensure fair trading in markets. These weights conform to the Judahite system of the First Temple period, or Iron Age II (ca. 950-586 BC). Some weights correspond directly to weight systems of neighboring regions, such as the nezef seen here being equal to one Egyptian qedet, showing the importance of regional trade networks. According to Hendin, the two-shekel and nezef are relatively more common varieties of the rare inscribed Judaean scale weights because of their correspondence to other weight systems, but the beqa in this set is rare even among inscribed Judaean scale weights, likely because it would have been used mostly for local trade.
Auction Info
2025 November 30 Spotlight: Judaea Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61558 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
November
30th
Sunday
6:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
November
30th
Sunday
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30m 39s
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This lot is in: 1 -
World & Ancient Coins Session
(Lots 23001-23095) - 7:00 PM Central Time, Sunday, November 30, 2025.
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