A hand-sized bronze beam with a fulcrum and two shallow pans, calibrated to weigh coins against standard weights. Merchants, money-lenders, and tax collectors carry balances to detect shaved or debased coins in trade. A quick way to spot fraud in a cash settlement, though a dishonest trader may own a balance deliberately skewed to their advantage—and the dispute that follows can draw blades.
Coin Balance
Bronze hand-scale with shallow pans; merchants detect shaved or debased coins.