Balance Scales & Weights > Unequal Arm Scales

A 18th Century Brass Self-Raising Steelyard Type Coin Balance by Houghton.

Item#: SBU166

SOLD

 

This is an important brass self-raising steelyard type pocket coin balance. This type opens up when the hinged lid of its mahogany box is fully opened. The coin is placed on the folding H shaped hanger, then the weights (turns and slide) adjusted to fit the coin type. The original trade label, in good condition, contains instruction of how to use the scales and also provides a table of current weights of the following Gold Coins: Guinea, Half Guinea, 7 shillings piece, Sovereign and Half Sovereign. The catch is in good working condition. Made in England and signed by "Stephen Houghton & Son, Makers Ormskirk, Successors to A Wilkinson" on a printed label in the box. They worked in Kirkby (near Liverpool) in the first half of the 18th century. Size: 135 X 25 X 18 mm.