Pre-Coinage Ancient Judah 5 Mina (Roman 8 Libra) Limestone Weight, ca. 8th-7th century BCE

Pre-Coinage Ancient Judah 5 Mina (Roman 8 Libra) Limestone Weight, ca. 8th-7th century BCE. Cylindrical cake shaped limestone weight 2,528 grams (2.528 kilograms). Diameter 127mm, height 90mm. Found in the Holyland. There is an inscribed letter on the top of the weight which may be an
"A" or perhaps a Greek Delta Δ. The Roman Libra is considered to be around 322 to 327 grams. A Roman Libra 8 weight would be 2,576 to 2616 grams. The Mina weight is 570 grams thus a 5 Mina has a weight of 2,850 grams. The slight difference from our example to either the Roman 8 Libra or 5 Mina of Judah is easily explained by the broken corner.

Estimated Value $7,500 - UP

According to David Hendin, The weights of ancient Judah were used from the end of the eighth century up to 586 BCE when the Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple. Almost all of these are polished, symmetrical limestone domes with flat bases and often have engraved inscriptions referring to denomination.

Ex Rabbi Zvi Rogin Collection.