Ancient Islamic Bronze Commercial Weight
Circa 15th–19th Century AD
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Object Details
•Type: Commercial Weight
•Period: 15th–19th century AD
•Material: Bronze (Æ)
•Weight: 29.18 g
•Diameter: 19 mm
•Condition: Good Very Fine
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Description
This authentic ancient Islamic bronze commercial weight dates between the 15th and 19th centuries, a period during which standardized weights played a crucial role in trade, taxation, and market regulation throughout the Islamic world.
Such weights were essential tools used by merchants, officials, and market inspectors to ensure fair commercial transactions, particularly in the exchange of precious metals, spices, textiles, and other valuable goods. Crafted in durable bronze, they were designed to withstand constant handling while maintaining accuracy over time.
Although simple in appearance, commercial weights like this one reflect the advanced economic systems and legal frameworks of Islamic societies, where precise measurement was closely tied to religious, ethical, and legal principles governing honest trade.
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Historical Context
From the late medieval period into the early modern era, Islamic markets operated under strict regulations derived from Islamic law (Sharia), which emphasized fairness, transparency, and accuracy in commerce. Official weights were often produced under state or municipal authority and served as trusted standards across cities and regions.
Objects such as this weight offer a tangible connection to everyday economic life, illustrating how commerce functioned beyond coinage in the pre-modern Islamic world.
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Why This Object Matters
•Authentic Islamic commercial artifact
•Integral to historical systems of trade and market regulation
•Durable bronze construction with excellent preservation
•Represents everyday economic life rather than ceremonial use
•Highly collectible and educational historical object
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Included with This Piece
✔️ Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance
✔️ Protective archival-quality holder or sleeve
✔️ Handcrafted envelope made from traditional Amalfi paper, produced using pure cotton fibers following medieval techniques
✔️ Certificate envelope sealed with wax, bearing the official Numisnation logo