Item number: X54

Year: AD 1800–1920

Material: Brass

Size: 65.8 x 52 x 44 mm

Weight: 0.4 kg

Provenance: Private Collector, Switzerland, 2015

This is a set of brass nested cup weights, also commonly referred to as cup weights, nesting weights, or stacking weights. In some contexts, particularly in trade or pharmacy, they may also be described as apothecary’s weights or merchant’s weights, depending on their original system of measurement.

The set consists of a series of graduated weights, each formed as a shallow cup so that they fit one inside another, all contained within a lidded case with a hinge and clasp. Each individual weight corresponds to a specific unit, and they are used in combination to achieve precise measurements.

Such sets were widely used across Europe from the 18th to early 20th century. They were essential tools for weighing small quantities of goods, including precious metals, coins, spices, medicines, and other valuable materials sold by weight. In commercial settings, they were used alongside balance scales to verify quantities during transactions. In pharmacies, similar sets were used to measure ingredients accurately for compounding medicines.

These weights were not specifically made to measure coins by type, but they could be used to check the weight of coins to confirm authenticity or detect wear, since coins were often valued according to their metal content.

Brass was commonly used due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Over time, repeated handling typically results in surface wear, particularly along the rims and contact points between the nested pieces.

物件編號: X54

年代: 公元 1800–1920 年

材料: 黃銅

尺寸: 65.8 x 52 x 44 mm

重量: 0.4 kg

來源: 瑞士私人收藏 2015

這是一組黃銅製的套疊式杯形砝碼，常被稱為「杯形砝碼」、「套疊砝碼」或「堆疊砝碼」。在不同使用情境中，例如商業或藥房，也可稱為「藥用砝碼」或「商用砝碼」，視其所屬的度量衡系統而定。

此組器物由一系列不同重量的砝碼構成，每一枚均呈淺杯狀設計，可一個套一個地收納於容器內，並置於帶有鉸鏈與扣件的盒中。每個砝碼代表特定的重量單位，可透過組合使用以達到精確測量的目的。

此類砝碼廣泛使用於18世紀至20世紀初的歐洲，是測量小型物品重量的重要工具。常見用途包括稱量貴金屬、硬幣、香料、藥材及其他按重量交易的貴重物品。在商業交易中，通常與天平配合使用，以確認貨物重量；在藥房中，則用於精確配製藥物成分。

這類砝碼並非專門用於特定硬幣的測量，但由於歷史上硬幣價值往往取決於其金屬含量，因此亦可用來檢驗硬幣重量，以判斷其真偽或磨損程度。

材質為黃銅，具有耐用且不易腐蝕的特性。長期使用通常會在邊緣及接觸面產生磨損痕跡。