Full text of “Apothecary Weight Tokens”
HT
What Are They?
• Apothecary Weight Tokens were used
by pharmaceutical chemists and bullion
merchants from 1878 until the late
1960's to measure out powders and
medicines. However, there are much
older specimens of pharmaceutical and
medical weight tokens (similar to
apothecary weight tokens) from Rome
Holland, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
• A balance beam scale was used to
measure powder on one side and the
apothecary weight token was put on the
other side. When it balanced out, it was
the correct measurement. Sets
complete with apothecary weight
tokens and a small scale usually come in
wooden boxes, and are hard to find
complete with all weight tokens and
grains.
• System began in Great Britain with the
British Weights and Measures Act of
1878. Reference to the troy pound was
made illegal and trade could only legally
continue in the troy ounce of 480 grains
(one-twelfth of 5,760 grains).
Msiketl
*20 grains*,..,.make.
3 scruples ..
*..,.1 dram ....
M drams...
■i b m mm f B 1 ^
12 ounces ...
What k the use of Apothecaries* Weight r—
Apothecaries use this weight iu mixing their
medicines, hut buy their drugs by Avoirtlupoise
Weight,
What Are They? Cont...
An apothecaries weight is a version of the troy weight. Pounds and
ounces still weigh the same as in troy weight, however, different units
were used for the lighter weights. The smallest unit was the grain.
Based on the troy weight system- each ounce equals 480 grains. These
ounces are then divided into 8 drachms, which equal 60 grains each.
One drachm equaled 3 scruples, which equaled 20 grains. Intermediate
weight of 2 scruples, or 40 grains, existed. Also, an intermediate weight
of 1 >2 scruples, or 30 grains, existed as well.
Coin shaped apothecary weights have been objected to over the years
by some who believe that too much dust accumulates in the deep
inscriptions for them to be fully accurate.
Square brass plates with shallow inscriptions or symbols are supposed
to be superior to the coin shaped weights.
Weights Consisted of
• 3ss = 34 Scruple
• 3 SS = 34 Drachm
• 3i = 1 Scruple
• 3 i = 1 Drachm
• 3ij = 2 Scruples
• 3 ij =2 Drachms
• Some sets consisted of a 4 Drachm and
an 8 Drachm as well
• To complete the set of Apothecaries
Weights there was also a set of 6 grain
weights ( 1, 2 ,3,4,5 & 6 ) and sometimes
also a 34 grain weight
• 20 grains = 1 scruple = 1.296 grams; 3
scruples = 1 drachm (dram) = 3.888
grams; 8 drachms = 1 troy ounce = 31.1
grams
AVOIRDUPOIS
Primary unit of weight is the grain.
437.5 grains = 1 ounce
(av. or.)
16,0 ounces “ 1 pound
(av. lb.)
APOTHECARY
APOTHECARY
Primary unit of weight is the grain.
Smallest unit of volume is the minim.
20 grains (gr) = 1 «»up*e I 3)
3 scruples « 1 dram ( y)
8 drams
(480 gr) - 1 ounce ( \)
12 ounces = 1 pound (lb)
60 minims (m) = 1 fluid dram ( y)
8 fluid drams - 1 fluid ounce ( y)
16 fluid ounces » 1 pint (0)
2 pints - 1 quart (qt.)
4 quarts - 1 gallon (Cong, or
gal.)
METRIC
METRIC
METRIC
Primary unit of weight is the gram.
1000 000 grams - 1 kilogram (kg)
100.000 grams « 1 hectogram (hg)
10.000 grains ** 1 dekagram (dkg)
1.000 gram = 1 gram (gm)
0.1 grain = 1 decigram (dg)
0.01 gram - 1 centigram (eg)
0.001 gram - 1 milligram (mg)
Primary unit of volume is the liter.
1000.000 liters - 1 kilolitcr (k!)
100.000 liters - 1 hectoliter (hi)
10.000 liters = 1 dekaliter (dkl)
1.000 liter =1 liter (1)
0.1 liter = I deciliter (dl)
0.01 liter - 1 centiliter (cl)
0.001 liter - 1 milliliter (mf)
Primary unit of linear measure is the
meter.
1000.000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)
100.000 meters = 1 hectometer (hm)
10.000 meters = 1 dekameter (dkm)
1.000 meter - 1 meter (m)
0.1 meter - 1 decimeter (dm)
0.01 meter - 1 centimeter (cm)
0.001 meter » 1 millimeter (min)
NOTE: The relationship of the banc units in the Metric System should be noted. The meter, which is 1/40,000.000 of the earth's polar cir¬
cumference. is the natural standard. The volume contained in 1/10 of a meter cubed is I liter. Hie weight of I cubic centimeter of distilled
water is I gram. Crains of water arc approximately equivalent at all temperature ranges. Current usage prefers that ml rather than cc be used
since it has been found that 1000 cc do not equal exactly I liter.
SMMOCt
Grain Weights
• Generally made of thin sheet brass with
value stamped on them
• Grain weights were originally actual pieces
of grain- first barley, then later on in Middle
Ages, wheat (hence the name)
• Most of the time, grain weights only had
annulets stamped onto them. Annulets were
holes punched onto the brass
• In the beginning of the 20 th Century, the
annulets were replaced by 'GR' which stood
simply for grains or GRAINS spelled out fully
if piece was large enough
• Unique variations do exist: grain weights
shaped in the numeral in which they weigh
(a five grain shaped like the number 5 for
example). These variations are rarer and
generally sell these days for a high premium,
especially in the UK
The Worshipful Company of Founders
• Weights and measures were sized
and tested as early as the sixteenth
century- and apothecaries weights
were no different.
• Weights and measures were sized
and tested as a source of income for
assayers and to prevent dishonesty
from merchants. A six-pointed star
found stamped anywhere on a
weight token means it was found
unsuitable for further use.
• One assayer was The Worshipful
Company of Founders of London.
Here is what their webpage says on
the matter:
https://www.foundersco.org.uk/weig
hts-and-measures
The First Apothecary Weight Designs
Unknown manufacturer(s)
Brass, stamped on obverse only (blank reverse)
Rough design- cut kind of square and then filed down to correct weight
These early sets came out around the same time as London's Worshipful Society of
Apothecaries was becoming more influential; it is thought that they may have
been responsible for these early sets of apothecary weight tokens (in the 18 th
century, only the Society would have had the contract to supply apothecary weight
tokens, scales, etc. to the Army and the Admiralty).
Avery Weights
• W & T Avery Ltd of Birmingham (other
factories may have made Avery weights as
well- maker's initials B. & 'S.)
• One of the most important weight makers in
British Empire in the 19 th Century
• Difficult to date (1847 may indicate date of
patent on some W. & T.A. tokens)
• Made coin and lozenge shaped weights
• From 1842 to 1883 weights had a diamond
shaped registration mark on them
• From 1847 to 1911 weights marked 'W & T
Avery' on larger weights and 'W.T.A.' on
smaller weights
• Coin shaped Avery weights generally have an
English crown on them
Set of early Avery grain weights
JLB Weights
• Prolific British
manufacturer of
medicine kits for
household use that
included weights with
initials on them
• Only known by initials-
little else known
H. Troemner
• Prolific apothecary weight token maker in
Philadelphia.
• Troemner was a German locksmith who
immigrated to the U.S. and settled down
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1838
• Began making pharmaceutical balances in
1840, later started making coin weights-
all signed with one of the following: H.
TROEMNER, H. TROEMNER PHILA., H.T.
PHILA., or only H.T Philadelphia is
sometimes (and unusually) abbreviated
as PHILADA.
■
John. M. Maris
• Made American pharmaceutical
weights (drams and scruples)
• Only signed with an M inside a
diamond shape.
Address on these for this maker is
PHILA& NEW YORK.
P. Rogers & Co.
• Peter Rogers & Company, address is 48
Green St., Deritend, Birmingham.
• Firm established in 1820
• Manufactured scales and brass and iron
apothecaries weights
Little else known
CWTs Issued Looking
Like Apothecary
Weight Tokens
• JOHN P. GRUBER - New York scale and
weight maker who issued 1863 Civil War
token advertising his shop ('one dram'
token). Cent sized copper token inscribed
APOTH. WEIGHT [with Am. eagle on 2
laurel branches] / ONE DRAM / 1863 on
obverse; on reverse has JOHN P.
GRUBER/ [a scale]/ New York. Other
similar civil war tokens of John P.
Gruber's have his address-178 Chatham
SQ.
• HORTER - CWT used as a one dram
weight. Reverse inscribed as
ESTABLISHED / A. [2 story 3 window
house] D./1850. WARMKESSEL HORTER.
Token size of one cent and is brass.
Maker is Horter.
What Happened To Them?
In the 1960's a law was passed in Australia that introduced metric weights. This
made apothecary weights obsolete and they were formally abolished.
Soon after they were abolished, it became illegal to even have them on pharmacy
premises in Australia.
In 1978, apothecary weights were formally abolished in the United Kingdom as well
[by the Weights and Measures Act of 1978], and then the United States. Everything
was replaced by metric weights in these countries as well.
References
Home
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/res
earchguidance/weightsandmeasures/weights.aspx
Catalogue
Shire Album 44: Weights and Measures by J.T. Graham
Scales & Weights: A Historical Outline by Bruno Kisch
Photo Credits (in order)
• https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/researchguidance/weightsandmeasures/
weights.aspx
• http://pkperfumes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Apothecarv-Weights-and-Measurements-Tutorial-
rev6-12.pdf
• http://www.gilai.com/product 580/A-Set-Qf-Brass-Lozenge-Shaped-Apothecaries-Weights-Made-bv-Avery
• http://livervdatabase.liverycompanies.info/networks/575/index.html
• https://picclick.co.uk/VICTORIAN-AVERY-GRAIN5-WEIGHT5-cl870-1880s-5TAMPED-VR-372265881252.html
• https://www.ebav.com/itm/TW0-SCRUPLES-3ii-J-L-B-AP0THECARY-WEIGHT-TQKEN-VERY-RARE-
/202497946679
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/0NE-DRACHM-3i-H-TR0EMNER-PHILADA-AP0THECARY-WEIGHT-TQKEN-RARE-
/202497881483
• https://www.etsy.com/listing/623779305/one-drachm-3i-phila-m-ny-apothecarv
• https://polvbull.com/product/five-victorian-apothecary-weights-p-rogers-co-202511630197
• https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/ephesus numismatics/56/product/john p gruber 1863 civil war store
card token ny630agla one dram/643199/Default.aspx
1 □ Apothecary Weight Tokens
By Rachael Wieaand
02/20/2019
2 □ What Are They?
° Apothecary Weight Tokens were used by pharmaceutical chemists and bullion merchants
from 1878 until the late 1960's to measure out powders and medicines. However, there are
much older specimens of pharmaceutical and medical weight tokens (similar to apothecary
weight tokens) from Rome Holland, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
° A balance beam scale was used to measure powder on one side and the apothecary weight
token was put on the other side. When it balanced out, it was the correct measurement. Sets
complete with apothecary weight tokens and a small scale usually come in wooden boxes,
and are hard to find complete with all weight tokens and grains.
° System began in Great Britain with the British Weights and Measures Act of 1878. Reference
to the troy pound was made illegal and trade could only legally continue in the troy ounce of
480 grains (one-twelfth of 5,760 grains).
3 □ What Are They? Cont...
0 An apothecaries weight is a version of the troy weight. Pounds and ounces still weigh the
same as in troy weight, however, different units were used for the lighter weights. The
smallest unit was the grain.
° Based on the troy weight system- each ounce equals 480 grains. These ounces are then
divided into 8 drachms, which equal 60 grains each. One drachm equaled 3 scruples, which
equaled 20 grains. Intermediate weight of 2 scruples, or 40 grains, existed. Also, an
intermediate weight of 1 Vz scruples, or 30 grains, existed as well.
• Coin shaped apothecary weights have been objected to over the years by some who believe
that too much dust accumulates in the deep inscriptions for them to be fully accurate.
0 Square brass plates with shallow inscriptions or symbols are supposed to be superior to the
coin shaped weights.
4 Q Weights Consisted of:
° 3ss = Vz Scruple
° 3 ss = Vz Drachm
0 3i = 1 Scruple
° 3 i =1 Drachm
° 3ij = 2 Scruples
° 3 ij = 2 Drachms
° Some sets consisted of a 4 Drachm and an 8 Drachm as well
° To complete the set of Apothecaries Weights there was also a set of 6 grain weights (1,2,3,4,5
8i 6) and sometimes also a Vz grain weight
° 20 grains = 1 scruple = 1.296 grams; 3 scruples = 1 drachm (dram) = 3.888 grams; 8 drachms
= 1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams
5 □ Grain Weights
o Generally made of thin sheet brass with value stamped on them
° Grain weights were originally actual pieces of grain- first barley, then later on in Middle Ages,
wheat (hence the name)
» Most of the time, grain weights only had annulets stamped onto them. Annulets were holes
punched onto the brass
° In the beginning of the 20 th Century, the annulets were replaced by 'GR' which stood simply
for grains or GRAINS spelled out fully if piece was large enough
0 Unique variations do exist: grain weights shaped in the numeral in which they weigh (a five
grain shaped like the number 5 for example). These variations are rarer and generally sell
these days for a high premium, especially in the UK
6 0 The Worshipful Company of Founders
° Weights and measures were sized and tested as early as the sixteenth century- and
apothecaries weights were no different.
» Weights and measures were sized and tested as a source of income for assayers and to
prevent dishonesty from merchants. A six-pointed star found stamped anywhere on a weight
token means it was found unsuitable for further use.
° One assayer was The Worshipful Company of Founders of London. Here is what their
webpage says on the matter: https://www.foundersco.ora.uk/weiahts-and-measures
7 ru The First Apothecary Weight Designs
° Unknown manufacturer(s)
0 Brass, stamped on obverse only (blank reverse)
° Rough design- cut kind of square and then filed down to correct weight
° These early sets came out around the same time as London's Worshipful Society of
Apothecaries was becoming more influential; it is thought that they may have been
responsible for these early sets of apothecary weight tokens (in the 18 th century, only the
Society would have had the contract to supply apothecary weight tokens, scales, etc. to the
Army and the Admiralty).
8 □ Avery Weights
° W 8i T Avery Ltd of Birmingham (other factories may have made Avery weights as well-
maker's initials B. & 'S.)
o One of the most important weight makers in British Empire in the 19 th Century
» Difficult to date (1847 may indicate date of patent on some W. & T.A. tokens)
0 Made coin and lozenge shaped weights
° From 1842 to 1883 weights had a diamond shaped registration mark on them
° From 1847 to 1911 weights marked 'W & T Avery' on larger weights and 'W.T.A.' on smaller
weights
0 Coin shaped Avery weights generally have an English crown on them
10:0 JLB Weights
° Prolific British manufacturer of medicine kits for household use that included weights with
initials on them
° Only known by initials- little else known
11 □ H. Troemner
® Prolific apothecary weight token maker in Philadelphia.
0 Troemner was a German locksmith who immigrated to the U.S. and settled down in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1838
° Began making pharmaceutical balances in 1840, later started making coin weights- all signed
with one of the following: H. TROEMNER, H. TROEMNER PHILA., H.T. PHILA., or only H.T.
Philadelphia is sometimes (and unusually) abbreviated as PHILADA.
12 □ John. M. Maris
° Made American pharmaceutical weights (drams and scruples)
° Only signed with an M inside a diamond shape.
° Address on these for this maker is PHILA & NEW YORK.
13 □ P. Rogers & Co.
° Peter Rogers 8l Company, address is 48 Green St., Deritend, Birmingham.
0 Firm established in 1820
® Manufactured scales and brass and iron apothecaries weights
° Little else known
14 Q CWTs Issued Looking Like Apothecary Weight Tokens
° JOHN P. GRUBER - New York scale and weight maker who issued 1863 Civil War token
advertising his shop ('one dram' token). Cent sized copper token inscribed APOTH. WEIGHT
[with Am. eagle on 2 laurel branches] / ONE DRAM / 1863 on obverse; on reverse has JOHN P.
GRUBER/ [a scale]/ New York. Other similar civil war tokens of John P. Gruber's have his
address- 178 Chatham SQ.
° HORTER - CWT used as a one dram weight. Reverse inscribed as ESTABLISHED / A. [2 story 3
window house] D./1850. WARMKESSEL HORTER. Token size of one cent and is brass. Maker is
Horter.
o
15 O What Happened To Them?
® In the 1960's a law was passed in Australia that introduced metric weights. This made
apothecary weights obsolete and they were formally abolished.
° Soon after they were abolished, it became illegal to even have them on pharmacy premises in
Australia.
® In 1978, apothecary weights were formally abolished in the United Kingdom as well [by the
Weights and Measures Act of 1978], and then the United States. Everything was replaced by
metric weights in these countries as well.
3
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