1copper assayers divide both the lesser and greater
scale weights into divisions
of a different scale. Their largest weight of the greater scale weighs one
hundred and twelve líbrae, which is the first unit of measurement.
of a different scale. Their largest weight of the greater scale weighs one
hundred and twelve líbrae, which is the first unit of measurement.
1st = 112 librae.
2nd = 64 librae.
3rd = 32 librae.
4th = 16 librae.
5th = 8 librae.
6th = 4 librae.
7th = 2 librae.
8th = 1 librae.
10th = 8 semunciae.
11th = 4 semunciae.
12th = 2 semunciae.
13th = 1 semunciae.
As for the selíbra of
the lesser weights, which our people, as I have often
said, call a mark, and the Romans call a bes, coiners who coin gold, divide it
just like the greater weights scale, into twenty-four units of two sextulae
each, and each unit of two sextulae is divided into four semí-sextulae and
each semí-sextula into three units of four síliquae each. Some also divide
the separate units of four siliquae into four individual síliquae, but most,
omitting the semi-sextulae, then divide the double sextula into twelve units of
four sílíquae each, and do not divide these into four individual siliquae. Thus
the first and greatest unit of measurement, which is the bes, weighs twenty
four double sextulae.
said, call a mark, and the Romans call a bes, coiners who coin gold, divide it
just like the greater weights scale, into twenty-four units of two sextulae
each, and each unit of two sextulae is divided into four semí-sextulae and
each semí-sextula into three units of four síliquae each. Some also divide
the separate units of four siliquae into four individual síliquae, but most,
omitting the semi-sextulae, then divide the double sextula into twelve units of
four sílíquae each, and do not divide these into four individual siliquae. Thus
the first and greatest unit of measurement, which is the bes, weighs twenty
four double sextulae.