George III Brass Pocket Sovereign Scales

George III Brass Pocket Sovereign Scales

ENGLAND, CIRCA 1780

A set of pocket 'sovereign scales' by Anthony Wilkinson, used for checking the weight of coins. The hinged case measuring 12.75cm long (closed) engraved 'J. Wilson, Miller', opening to reveal a graduated scale numbered 0-3-6-9-12, with a single hinged pan. The interior of the case with printed paper instruction labels, the left one (with some losses) with the maker's name 'A. Wilkinson, Ormskirk, (Late of Kirkby) Near Liverpool' and the inscription '...the turn at the end for a guinea, to the centre for half a guinea; ...the slide as a cypher, where it stops nearer the centre is. [...] farthing above the currency; the divisions the other way are a penny each...light gold - These balances are as accurate as the best of scales, more ... [ ]ditious portable, and not so liable to be out of order. (Price [indistinct])'. The label on the right side reads 'When you want to weigh quick, put the slide a farthing or two above weight, for safety; and what gold will not draw may be tried afterwards with the slide at the cypher. These balances may be tried with sealed weights at any time, for the satisfaction of such as refuse to take money by them: If they vary, they are soon brought to by the slide. Keep the machine (when open) as level as you can lest you break the centre of the beam. Before you shut the box, put up the scale.'

Anthony Wilkinson was the inventor of this type of folding scale and worked in Kirkby until 1785. Such portable scales were used by merchants – in this case a miller – to test the weight of gold and silver coins. This was necessary due to illegal activities such as ‘clipping’ (removing small amounts of gold or silver from the edges of coins to be melted down and sold or used to cast new coins) or ‘sweating’, where silver coins were shaken in a container or bag until small amounts of silver dust were produced and collected.

Another example by Wilkinson is illustrated by Schiffer, The Brass Book, (Schiffer Publishing, 1978), p. 323, plates B. and C. Wilkinson’s design continued to be used for decades after his invention and later examples by other makers are extant. For example, a similar scale by Daniel Robinson of Prescot, Lancashire, circa 1820 is illustrated by Gentle and Feild, English Domestic Metalwork 1640 - 1820, Antique Collectors' Club, p. 257 pl. 8 with the comment that 'this pair is unusual for its brass case; cases were generally made in mahogany.' An example dated circa 1820-1840 in a wooden case can be found in the Science Museum Group collection (object no. 1953-368).

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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