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Small balancing scale with weights (b) in wooden case (a). The interior cavity of the wooden case is carved out of a solid piece of wood. The lid is hinged with metal staples and has a metal hook latch. The lid top is decorated with hand-carved or impressed geometric designs. A printed paper table of weights and values of silver and gold coin is folded inside the box. Another handwritten table is affixed to the interior of the lid.
balances (scales)
wood (plant material)
metal
paper (fiber product)
cloth
Scale
Scale
"A TABLE / Of the Weight and Value of coined Silver and Gold, / and English Half Pence and Farthings, as established / by an ACT of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. / [Pas'd October 23, 1784]" (Title only of folded paper table inside case.)
Benjamin Pettingill
Obadiah Pettingill
1931.552A
Unknown
1 x 7 5/8 x 2 3/8 (HxWxD) (inches)
Museum Purchase
1931.552A-C
Probably Bridgewater (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)
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