Note 27 — BOOK VII.

[Pg 242][27] This method of proportionate weights for assay charges is simpler than the modern English "assay ton," both because of the use of 100 units in the standard of weight (the centumpondium), and because of the lack of complication between the Avoirdupois and Troy scales. For instance, an ore containing a libra of silver to the centumpondium would contain 1/100th part, and the same ratio would obtain, no matter what the actual weight of a centumpondium of the "lesser weight" might be. To follow the matter still further, an uncia being 1/1,200 of a centumpondium, if the ore ran one "uncia of the lesser weight" to the "centumpondium of the lesser weight," it would also run one actual uncia to the actual centumpondium; it being a matter of indifference what might be the actual weight of the centumpondium upon which the scale of lesser weights is based. In fact Agricola's statement (p. 261) indicates that it weighed an actual drachma. We have, in some places, interpolated the expressions "lesser" and "greater" weights for clarity.

This is not the first mention of this scheme of lesser weights, as it appears in the Probierbüchlein (1500? see Appendix B) and Biringuccio (1540). For a more complete discussion of weights and measures see Appendix C. For convenience, we repeat here the Roman scale, although, as will be seen in the Appendix, Agricola used the Latin terms in many places merely as nomenclature equivalents of the old German scale.

Troy Grains. Ozs.dwts.gr.

per short ton.

1Siliqua 2.87PerCentumpondium039

6Siliquae=1 Scripulum17.2""106

4Scripula=1 Sextula68.7""410

6Sextulae=1 Uncia412.2""2462

12Unciae=1 Libra4946.4""291138

100Librae=1 Centumpondium494640.0

However Agricola may occasionally use

16Unciae=1 Libra6592.0(?)

100Librae=1 Centumpondium659200.0(?)

Also

Ozs.dwts.gr.

per short ton.

1Scripulum 17.2PerCentumpondium106

3Scripula=1 Drachma51.5""3019

2Drachmae=1 Sicilicus103.0""6115

4Sicilici=1 Uncia412.2""24612

8Unciae=1 Bes3297.6""194120