The 1st of 12 duellae of gold
and 12 duellae of
copper.
The 2nd of 13 duellae of gold
and 11 duellae of
copper.
The 3rd of 14 duellae of gold
and 10 duellae of
copper.
The 4th of 15 duellae of gold
and 9 duellae of copper.
The 5th of 16 duellae of gold
and 8 duellae of copper.
The 6th of 17 duellae of gold
and 7 duellae of copper.
The 7th of 18 duellae of gold
and 6 duellae of copper.
The 8th of 19 duellae of gold
and 5 duellae of copper.
The 9th of 20 duellae of gold
and 4 duellae of copper.
The 10th of 21 duellae of
gold and 3 duellae of
copper.
The 11th of 22 duellae of
gold and 2 duellae of
copper.
The 12th of 23 duellae of
gold and 1 duellae of
copper.
The 13th of pure gold.
These needles are not much used, because gold coins of that kind are
somewhat rare; the ones chiefly used are those in which there is much
copper. Needles of the third kind, which are composed of gold, silver, and
copper, are more largely used, because such gold coins are common. But since
with the gold there are mixed equal or unequal portions of silver and copper,
two sorts of needles are made. If the proportion of silver and copper is
equal, the needles are as follows:—
Gold.
Silver.
Copper.
The 1st of 12 duellae
6 duellae 0 sextula
6 duellae 0 sextula
The 2nd of 13 duellae
5 duellae 1 sextula
5 duellae 1 sextula
The 3rd of 14 duellae
5 duellae
5 duellae
The 4th of 15 duellae
4 duellae 1 sextula
4 duellae 1 sextula
The 5th of 16 duellae
4 duellae
4 duellae
The 6th of 17 duellae
3 duellae 1 sextula
3 duellae 1 sextula
The 7th of 18 duellae
3 duellae
3 duellae
The 8th of 19 duellae
2 duellae 1 sextula
2 duellae 1 sextula
The 9th of 20 duellae
2 duellae
2 duellae
The 10th of 21 duellae
1 duellae 1 sextula
1 duellae 1 sextula
The 11th of 22 duellae
1 duellae
1 duellae
The 12th of 23
1 duellae
The 13th of pure gold.
somewhat rare; the ones chiefly used are those in which there is much
copper. Needles of the third kind, which are composed of gold, silver, and
copper, are more largely used, because such gold coins are common. But since
with the gold there are mixed equal or unequal portions of silver and copper,
two sorts of needles are made. If the proportion of silver and copper is
equal, the needles are as follows:—
Some make twenty-five needles, in order to be able to detect the two
scrípula of silver or copper which are in a bes of gold. Of these needles, the
first is composed of twelve duellae of gold and six of silver, and the same
number of copper. The second, of twelve duellae and one sextula of gold and
five duellae and one and a half sextulae of silver, and the same number of
duellae and one and a half sextulae of copper. The remaining needles are
made in the same proportion.
scrípula of silver or copper which are in a bes of gold. Of these needles, the
first is composed of twelve duellae of gold and six of silver, and the same
number of copper. The second, of twelve duellae and one sextula of gold and
five duellae and one and a half sextulae of silver, and the same number of
duellae and one and a half sextulae of copper. The remaining needles are
made in the same proportion.
Pliny is our authority that the Romans could tell to within one scrípulum
how much gold was in any given alloy, and how much silver or copper.
how much gold was in any given alloy, and how much silver or copper.
Needles may be made in either of two ways, namely, in the ways of which
I have spoken, and in the ways of which I am now about to speak. If
I have spoken, and in the ways of which I am now about to speak. If
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