Image Details

Israel Dept. of Antiquities and Museums/Tsila Sagiv
The inscription on face A begins in the upper right corner of the weight between the small handle and the top of the rosette and then continues counterclockwise arms; the top of the weight and around the other three sides.
The face A inscription is translated. “Simeon ben Kosba president (or head of state) of Israel and his economic chief. Peras.”
Visible an the edges of face A is a zigzag line, designed to protect the consumer from receiving a short measure. If an unscrupulous merchant chipped off a few grams from the weight, the damaged zigzag line would alert a wary buyer.
In this photograph the weight appears slightly larger than its actual size, 3 1/2 by 2 2/3 inches and 1/3 inch thick. Small as it is, the lead tablet weighs almost two pounds.