Two Noteworthy Byzantine Weights from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount

Abstract

Two unique Byzantine coin weights were recovered and recently identified by the Temple Mount Sifting Project from soil removed without archaeological supervision from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount in 1999. The first of the very rare four κερατίον denomination is made of glass. The impression of a known imperial stamp into it suggests that it was probably manufactured in Byzantine Constantinople and came to Jerusalem before the Muslim conquest. The second, made of brass, bears a hitherto unknown kappa delta denomination marking; it is also of the four κερατίον denomination. The characteristics and significance of these finds are discussed here.