Coiners who mint silver also divide the bes of the lesser weights in the same
way as the greater weights; our people, indeed, divide it into sixteen sem
uncíae, and the semuncia into eighteen units of four silíquae each.
way as the greater weights; our people, indeed, divide it into sixteen sem
uncíae, and the semuncia into eighteen units of four silíquae each.
There are ten weights which are placed in the other pan of the balance,
when they weigh the silver which remains from the copper that has been
consumed, when they assay the alloy with fire.
when they weigh the silver which remains from the copper that has been
consumed, when they assay the alloy with fire.
The 1st = 16 semunciae = 1
bes.
The 2nd = 8 semunciae
The 3rd = 4 semunciae
The 4th = 2 semunciae
The coiners of Nuremberg who mint silver, divide the bes into sixteen sem
uncíae, but divide the semuncía into four drachmae, and the drachma into
four pfenníge. They employ nine weights.
uncíae, but divide the semuncía into four drachmae, and the drachma into
four pfenníge. They employ nine weights.
The 1st = 16 semuncíae.
The 2nd = 8 semuncíae.
The 3rd = 4 semuncíae.
The 4th = 2 semuncíae.
The 5th = 1 semuncíae.