Gold and coin scales

The scales, which can be taken apart, are housed in a rectangular box made of cherry wood. The brass weights of eight coins of the time can be found in 22 square spaces: crown thaler, franc, Louis d’or, Max d’or, pistole, severin, ducat and carlin. The weights have small handles that have left a visible imprint, sometimes even a small hole, in the lining of the casket lid. Two more balance weights can be found under a brass flap. The scales themselves and the weighing pans are also housed in matching niches. The casket was made by the company Gebrüder Rys & Comp Waagen und Gewichte, which was founded in 1794 with its headquarters at Fickenhütte near Siegen. The following maker’s inscription can be found under the affixed sales label: ‘These esteemed scales and weight[s] are made by JOH. WILHELM FORSTHOFF Goldwaagen-Fabrikant in Solingen in the Grand Duchy of Berg’. This labelling of the origin means the coin scales can be dated to post-1806.