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nydus/The Origin of Metallic Currency and Weight StandardsPublic
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Table of Contents

CHAPTER VII. The Weight Systems of China and Further Asia.

The lowest unit then was the quarter nail of 152½ grains troy, whilst the largest was the nên of 6500 grains. These ingots did not circulate freely but were generally kept in wealthy families as reserve treasure.

In very similar manner in Greece and Italy gold and silver, fashioned into talents and bars or wedges, were employed side by side with the bronze oboli or spits which served as the ordinary currency of every-day life.

We have now seen that the highest unit employed for silver and gold

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