Description (Physical description)
Wooden box (1) containing a set of apothecary's scales/balances (2), sets of weights in grains (3-9), scruples and drams (10-15), one half-ounce weight (16), and four cut portions of Louis Philippe I silver five-franc coins (17-20).
Event Date
Author: Lily Stancliffe

Context (References)
cf: Encyclopædia Britannica (2019b) Louis-Philippe: King of France https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Philippe (last accessed: 07/03/2019)
Event Date 2019
Author: David Kay

Context (References)
cf: Encyclopædia Britannica (2019a) Apothecaries' weight: Measurement System https://www.britannica.com/science/apothecaries-weight (last accessed: 07/03/2019)
Event Date 2019
Author: David Kay

Context (Analysis)
The system of weight measurement using the units of grains, scruples (20 grains) and drams (3 scruples, and 8 drams to an ounce) is typical of the British apothecaries' system, which was officially discontinued in the U.K. by the 1858 Medical Act (and replaced thereafter with the avoirdupois weight system) (cf. Encyclopædia Britannica 2019a).

The silver five-franc coins found with this set of weights date from the reign of Louis Philippe I, King of the French 1830-1848 (cf. Encyclopædia Britannica 2019b). As such, the entire assemblage has been given a probable 19th century date.
Event Date 7/3/2019
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Wooden box (1) - rectangular wooden box with brass/steel hinges and fastening catch on the lid, lined on the bottom of the inside with purple felt and with a small inner subdivision for containing the weights.

Set of apothecary's scales/balances (2) - two shallow circular brass pans suspended via three strings of green cord to either end of a steel balancing arm. In the centre of the arm is a thin spike, a hinged suspension loop, and small hinged plumb. A straw-coloured tassel is affixed to the top of the suspension loop.

Set of weights in grains (3-9) - seven sub-square pieces of brass sheeting, numbered '1/2', '1', '2', '3 GRS', '4 grain', '5 grain', '6 grain'.

Set of weights in scruples and drams (10-15) - six (possibly gold plated) coin-shaped weights, all stamped 'STANDARD' with a crown symbol on one side, and on the other respectively numbered 'HALF SCRUPLE', 'ONE SCRUPLE', 'HALF DRAM', 'TWO SCRUPLES', 'ONE DRAM', 'TWO DRAMS'.

Half-ounce weight (16) - a single disk-shaped brass weight with a recessed upper surface, marked with '1/2 OZ' and a small rectangle containing a crown symbol over 'VR 30'.

Cut coins (17-20) - four sections (three near quarters and one very small sliver) cut from Louis Philippe I silver five-franc coins (N.b. they have not all been cut from the same coin, as there are at two duplicate patterns).
Event Date 7/3/2019
Author: David Kay