Medieval Tumbrel 13/14th Century

Medieval Tumbrel 13/14th Century
78x10mm, 22.21g

The tumbrel is a portable coin balance based on the fulcrum principle and used to check the weight of a single coin denomination to establish its bullion value. The device comprises a pivoted, folding balance arm with a small tray on which the coin is placed, opposed by a counterbalance of specific weight, the other arm used to support the balance. Essentially coins of good weight will balance or tip off the tray and be passed as ‘good’ whilst coins which are worn, clipped or otherwise underweight will fail to tip the balance arm and be rejected. The device became redundant during the 16th century in England with the increased use of individual coin-weights and balance scales.