18th-19th century AD. A cased set of scales to check the weights of the English gold guinea and half guinea coins, with steel balance bar and pair of brass pans suspended with green twine, with two knopped weights marked '5 8' and 2 16' (for 5 pennyweights 8 grains and 2 pennyweights 16 grains respectively), with 'lion' verification marks and fitted in a pierced wood holder block; contained in an oval japanned case with hinged lid. 80 grams total, case 120mm long. See Shepherd & Musham, nos. 113-115 for similar sets. The minimum weight standard for guinea and half guinea coins was set at '5 8' and '2 16' respectively from 1775 and the guinea denomination was replaced by the sovereign in the recoinage of 1816. [No Reserve]

Very fine condition; case exterior worn.